MALVERN Town’s preparations for the new season were rocked by rivals Westfields who recorded a 7-3 victory at the HDanywhere Community Stadium on Thursday night.

Debutant Richard Greaves netted a first half hat-trick as the Hereford side left the home fans stunned with a sensational display.

Having won three out of their four pre-season fixtures, Malvern appeared to be in excellent form and they got off to a good start when Phil Glover put the ball in the back of his own net inside two minutes.

But the Midlands Football League Premier Division outfit responded superbly as Craig Jones levelled with a left foot drive before Greaves struck from close range.

Greaves, who has recently joined Westfields from Monmouth Town, increased his side’s lead with a shot from an acute angle.

Luke Corbett scored from the penalty spot for Malvern after Glover had pushed him in the area.

However, just before half-time, Greaves got on the end of an Aidan Thomas cross to stab the ball home for his third to give Westfields a 4-2 lead.

After the interval, James Baldwin slammed in the visitors’ fifth before Sirdic Grant fed the ball into the path of Ben Miller who produced a fine pass for Baldwin to round the Malvern keeper for a 6-2 advantage.

Jones capped a fine performance with the seventh goal before Town scored late on.

Matt Gwynne then produced a flying save to deny Malvern a further goal as the two teams served up an entertaining pre-season game.