MALVERN Town played hosts to seventh-from-the-bottom Boldmere St Michaels on Saturday at Langland Stadium and came off second best after a dismal performance.

MALVERN TOWN 1, BOLDMERE ST MICHAELS 3

Manager Neil Hunt introduced new signing Ian Stevenson into the centre of midfield to partner skipper Nathan Jukes and Marc Burrows, but Craig Williams (unavailable) and Duncan Preedy (suspended) and the influential Tommy Callinan (injury) were missing.

Boldmere started the game in fine style and took the lead in the eighth minute when Mykel Bentley outstripped a slow Town defence to toe-poke into the corner of the net with Paul Wyatt stranded.

On 15 minutes Wyatt was brought to his knees to save from a stinging shot by Kevin Charley. At the other end visiting keeper Rob Clarke made a flying save from a Nathan Jukes piledriver to turn the ball round the post for a fruitless corner.

Back came Boldmere and Kirk Smith volleyed a first-time effort over the bar. Two minutes later Town's defence were pulled all over the place by slick interpassing by Smith, Beckley and Gould, with the latter firing over from 10 yards. The pressure reaped dividends in the 35th minute when Gould was left unmarked 20 yards out and he found the net with ease.

Town tried hard to get back into the game and on 40 minutes Simon Judge turned his marker well but his final shot was straight at the keeper. On the stroke of half-time a superb ball from Gary Smith picked out Phil Preedy behind the Boldmere defence but with only Chance to beat, he delayed his shot to allow central defender Steve Moore to get in a clearing challenge.

The home side started the second period much more workmanlike and straight from the restart Phil Preedy shot wide after good work by Burrows and Stevenson had played him in.

Ten minutes into the half the visitors increased their lead when a corner by Kirk Smith was headed home at the back post by Kevin Chalkey.

Manager Hunt introduced fresh legs after this with Des Cox and Richard Tomkins replacing Simon Judge and Gary Smith respectively.

On 70 minutes Town did have a good chance to narrow the gap when a inswinging corner from Phil Preedy found Marc Burrows at the back post but he headed the wrong side of the upright.

Nick Clayton almost handed Boldmere a fourth with a suicide back pass to his keeper Wyatt, who picked the ball up to give away a free-kick five yard out, but Charley fired it straight at Wyatt.

Town did try a mini revival after this and on 77 minutes reduced the arrears when a ball in from the right by Richard Tomkins was headed out by central defender Steve Moore only to find Ian Stevenson on the edge of the box. He promptly volleyed into the net past the unsighted keeper.

Although Town had a couple of half chances in the remaining time they never really looked like bridging the gap and at the end of the day they were second best all over the park.