FOR the third game in a row, Town Reserves were in cup action and this time they won - but only just in the Worcester Nursing Cup.

TOLLADINE SPORTS 2, MALVERN TOWN RES 3

Malvern got off to a good start with four minutes gone, when Mike Roberts crossed for Danny James and the striker beat the offside trap, rounded the keeper and tucked the ball home.

Lee Goodman had a hand in the next goal as he won a challenge, chipped the ball over the defence for James, who headed on before firing hard and low into the net for a 0-2 lead. Straight from the kick- off Tolladine won the ball in midfield and set up Mark Bamfield, who gave Tom Smith no chance with his powerful shot.

Youth player Arun Murphy came on and did well, winning a number of challenges, showing a gutsy display. On 60 minutes, the ever-alert Chris Fellows latched onto a poor back pass, rounded the home keeper and tapped the ball home.

Tolladine then threw everything into attack, forced an own goal out of Mike Oakes and in fairness could have scored three times in the dying minutes but, for a change, Malvern's luck held out.

MALVERN TOWN RES 1, BOLDMERE ST MICHAEL 3

TOWN Reserves hosted Sutton Coldfield-side Boldmere St Michael the previous Tuesday evening in the Smedley Crooke Cup and lost an entertaining game 1-3.

Despite losing, Malvern put in one of their best displays this season and took a deserved lead on 22 minutes. The ball was played to Ed Lyons, who turned his marker before slipping the ball into the path of Sam Pallett and he scored with a low driving shot from the edge of the box.

Boldmere hit back on 34 minutes and 35 minutes when their talented number nine scored two superb individual goals, which took the wind out of Town's sails.

As the teams came out for the second-half, the visitors forced an early corner which was met at the far post by their number four and he side-footed home as Town were caught flat-footed.

Malvern Town Reserves are sponsored by Laser Civil Engineering.