Twice in lead but points still slip

MALVERN TOWN 2, HEATH HAYES 2

Starting brightly Town went ahead after only 10 minutes when Dene Whittal-Williams fired them in front following excellent work by Simon Judge. Andy Shepherd might have increased Malvern's lead after 30 minutes , but he fired over when well placed.

Town lost their composure a little immediately prior to the break and had to thank Ross Sanders who twice pulled of excellent saves to deny the visitors.

Town suffered a blow during this period when striker Simon Judge suffered a hamstring injury and had to depart to be replaced by Chris Thomas.

However, Town should really have gone in at half time two goals to the good when Phil Slade worked an excellent opening, having been set up by Town man of the match Mark Brooks, but fired tamely at the visiting keeper from close range.

Town struggled to get off to a positive start after the restart and after both losing possession and failing to clear their lines on a number of occasions, it was no surprise when the visitors equalised with a 55th minute strike.

Ironically this heralded Town's best spell of the game and when Brooks powered them in front in the 70th minute, the three points looked a formality, indeed Shepherd, Whittall- Williams and Slade all should have put the game beyond doubt, with the latter denied by the inside of the post.

But in the 85th minute Town's Thomas gave away a needless free kick and the visitors earnt a point when the resultant cross went in off the far post.

Town: Sanders, Higgins, Cotterill, Hayes, Clayton, Slade, Brooks, Whittal-Williams, Phillpotts, Judge (Thomas), Shepherd. Subs not used: Damore, Ward.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern Town are away in the FA Carlsberg Vase at Arnold Town (3pm). Town will be running a supporters coach, this will LEAVE the Langland Stadium at 11.15am. Cost is £5 adults and £2.50 for senior citizens and children.