THE race for the Soccer Site Malvern League division one title continued last Sunday when both leaders Bishops Frome and second-placed Oak Allstars took maximum points from their home games.

Leaders Bishops Frome entertained third-placed Talbot Head and were made to work hard before securing a 4-0 victory. With a strong swirling wind blowing down the pitch Bishops Frome elected to play into it in the first half and they did well to go into half time leading 1-0 courtesy of a 20th minute strike from Jason Westmacott. In the 50th minute it became 2-0 when following a good passing move, Matt Beale celebrated his return from an injury received in early December by hitting one of the hardest shots seen on this ground when from fully 25 yards. The ball struck the underside of the bar and crashed down before rebounding into the roof of the net, even the Talbot players applauded.

It became 3-0 in the 60th minute when Stewart Graham ran in to side foot the ball past the keeper. In the 70th minute a well-worked goal for Graham wrapped up the scoring.

Oak Allstars maintained their challenge courtesy of a 7-1 victory over Club AC 30.

It looks as if the title race in division two is going right to the end of the season with three teams in the hunt. Current leaders Bell Inn 98 did their chances no harm when they secured a 10-1 victory when they visited bottom-of-the-table Great Malvern. Their goals came from Luke Ledbury, Ashleigh Jones, Paul Gladwin, Steve Field and hat-tricks for Chris Grubb and Jon Owen with Great Malvern reply coming from Clive Holloway.

Second met third at Ledbury when Dynamo Ledbury entertained Cross Keys. The visitors took the lead in the 25th minute when a long throw from Damion Lloyd was flicked on by Leigh Phillips and Ollie Endacott applied the finishing touch from close range. Dynamo suffered a major blow in the 35th minute when skipper and top scorer Adam Thomas tore his hamstring which could have a significant effect on Dynamos title challenge.

The second half saw Dynamo keeper Mark Davies make some good saves and Cross Keys miss several chances due to wayward finishing especially from Damion Lloyd. But he made amends when he was put through by a fine ball from John Shirley and sent in a shot which Mark Davies did well to save but Ollie Endacott was first to the rebound to make the game safe.

In the division's remaining game Madresfield beat visitors Cavalry Arms 4-3, their goals coming from Steven Brookes and a Sam Black hat-trick with Cavalry's goals coming from Gavin Smith, Matt Pearce and Ed Tombs.