Bagnall to the rescue in 'typical local derby'

BOTH teams have been in the Worcester League for a number of seasons, but this was the first meeting between the two Malvern teams.

It was typical local derby stuff with plenty of effort and drama even if it was not the most skilful of contests.

Express started well and Alan Preece's 30 yard volley clipped the outside of Radar's post after just five minutes and Sean Clarke wasted a good chance when well placed.

But things suddenly took a sudden change when Paul Loader, in the Express goal, was adjudged to have checked Trevor Bagnall in the area and Mark Taylor gave Radar the lead from the penalty spot.

The same players were involved again three minutes later when Bagnall held the ball up well before laying the ball off to Taylor who shot in to the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

It was 3-0 on the half hour when the ball fell to Darren Loader on the corner of the area and he spotted the keeper out of position and clipped the ball into the net off the post.

This woke up the Express who put pressure on he Radar defence with a number of long throw-ins and corners causing real panic and when one of these was cleared on the edge of the area, Andy Coulthard charged in and blasted the ball into the corner of Mark Jones' net.

The second half started dramatically with Radar losing keeper Gary Harman who needed treatment for a cut head but was able to continue.

Centre half Mark Watling took over in goal and found himself picking the ball out of the net with practically his first touch.

Preece was bundled over in the area and Coulthard made it 3-2 from the penalty spot.

The stand-in keeper then made a brave save in amongst the flying boots and although it seemed as if the equaliser was coming Bagnall came to the rescue booting the ball off the line.

There was plenty of huff and puff in the closing stages but few chances, the nearest anyone came to scoring was when John Rooney's towering header was just off target.

This Saturday Radar are at home again to Bishampton, players to meet Lower Howsell at 2.15pm.

The Sunday side are away to Herefordshire House, meeting at RSRE Club at 9.30am.