Tafft and Judge fire Town goals

MALVERN Town opened their Bank's Premier League programme on Saturday when Star were the visitors to Langland Stadium.

Manager Joe Rawle included three new signings in the starting line up, Mick Lowe, Sean Cotterill, and Scott Morris, while a fourth, Darren Taft, was on the bench.

Malvern started confidently and for the first half hour dictated the game but Star were solid in defence with Scott Walker outstanding.

The second period followed the same pattern as the first with Malvern doing most of the attacking but Star were always dangerous on the break.

On 66 minutes Star had keeper Taylor to thank when he brilliantly turned a close range shot from Maidment round the post for a fruitless corner.

On 77 minutes substitute Darren Taft was introduced into the attack in place of Scott Morris.

On 83 minutes Star striker Ashley Davis ran onto a through ball from Scott Walker but Town keeper Ross Sanders closed him down well to save with his foot.

It only took eight minutes for Darren Taft to make his mark when, in the 85th minute, a superb ball over the Star defence by John Wade played Taft in and the striker looped a stunning shot over the head of Taylor into the back of the net to give Town the lead.

With a minute of normal time remaining Malvern sealed the points when Joe Maidment burst into the penalty area only to be brought down by Steve Broome. Simon Judge stepped up and rifled the ball home giving Taylor no chance.

On Tuesday night Town lost 2-1 away at Dudley Town.

Town dominated the first half but fell behind in the 58th minute to a Kieron Jackson effort.

Scott Morris equalised for Town in the 71st minute heading home a Nick Clayton cross as Town took charge again only to see Dudley's John Street head home from a corner in the 85th minute.

Assistant manager Richard Anson said: "To concede two goals from corners was disappointing but generally it was quite a good performance apart from the 15 minutes after Dudley scored."