GORNAL ATHLETIC 0, MALVERN TOWN 1

MALVERN Town, although not playing to their full potential, came away from lowly Gornal Athletic with all three points thanks to a Phil Slade goal a minute into the second half.

Manager Joe Rawle made two changes to the side that went down 1-0 to Lye Town the previous week when Adam Moss replaced the out of form Ross Sanders in goal and Scott Morris came in to partner Simon Judge up front with Darren Tafft on the bench.

Skipper Sean Cotterill failed a pre-match fitness test so youngster Dene Whittal-Williams continued in the heart of the defence.

Gornal opened strongly and on 12 minutes Moss had to be on his toes to prevent the home side from taking an early lead when he spread himself to keep out a goal bound shot from Kevin Woodvine with his feet.

Malvern, after surviving the early pressure started to get their game together and on 30 minute a fine ball to the far post picked out John Wade but he only managed to side foot the ball into the keeper's arms.

On 31 minutes Rob Bastock came to Malvern's aid when he cleared a goalbound shot from Steve Connell which had beaten the advancing Moss.

The remainder of the half was restricted to the middle of the park with neither side creating anything.

A few chosen words at half time by the management paid dividends because within a minute of the restart Malvern took the lead when Simon Judge played a good ball out to Steve Walker who dinked a fine ball into the penalty area where Phil Slade hit a first time volley into the back of the net.

On 68 minutes only a good save from the home keeper prevented Scott Morris from adding to the score and on 81 minutes a brilliant chip by Joe Maidment looped over the keeper only to strike the post and rebound to safety.

Gornal came more into the game in the latter stages but were unable to break down a resolute Town defence.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern Town entertain Ibstock Welfare in the First Round proper of the FA Carlsberg Vase at Langland Stadium. Kick off 3pm.

Skipper Sean Cotterill has responded to treatment for a hamstring injury and returns to the squad so manager Joe Rawle will have a full strength squad to choose from.