MALVERN RANGERS 3,

TENBURY UNITED 3

DESPITE Tenbury's 124th year in existence this was the first meeting between the teams with the visitors having spent many years in the Kidderminster league, last season being runners up in both the Premier league and the League Cup.

Within two minutes, Tenbury went ahead. Steve Maitland cleared an attack but the ball was headed back by Paul Higgins, Rangers failed to clear a right sided attack and Jon Welsh was on hand at the back post to score.

On nine minutes a Steve Maitland free kick into the penalty area saw Mark Owen score but this was disallowed by the assistant referee. Worse was to follow when Tenbury increased their advantage after 13 minutes. A left sided free kick to the far post saw Karl Pearson score despite Rangers' appeals for offside. Just two minutes later Rangers reduced the arrears when Steve Maitland's free kick was headed on by Mark Taylor and Chris Davis rifled home a right footed shot past the stranded Byron Davies. On 19 minutes and it was 2-2. A ball from the right saw Simon Barnett play it to Chris Davis who freed Simon Rea and his left footed shot ended up in the back of the net.

Two minutes into the second half Tenbury had the ball in the net but Karl Pearson was penalised for pushing. After 16 minutes and Rangers' comeback seemed complete. Simon Barnett combined with Simon Rea before Mark Taylor released Tim Clarke allowing him to finish off a good move to put Rangers ahead for the first time.

On 40 minutes Mark Owen was adjudged to have fouled a Tenbury player in the box but Ross Sanders made an excellent save low down to his left by the post.

Just three minutes later and Tenbury scored the equaliser. The ball was squared from the right to left back Aaron Morris and he was allowed to carry the ball forward and forward and then from fully 30 yards he let fly with an unstoppable shot.

Man of the match was Chris Davis.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Rangers, sponsored by Strikes, travel to Oldbury United's ground to play Blackheath Town in a West Midlands League Division One (South) fixture, kick off 2.45pm, players to meet Brooklyn Motors 12.30pm, The Oak Apple 12.45pm.

On Tuesday (October 21) they travel to Pershore Town in the Smedley Crooke Charity Cup, kick off 7.45pm, players meet Brooklyn Motors 6pm or Pershore 6.45pm.

Rangers have been drawn at home to fellow league side Chaddesley Corbett in the quarter final of the Worcester Nursing Junior Cup on November 1.