WEST Malvern returned to Worcester Division One winning ways on Saturday with a much depleted team through injuries and a player failing to turn up.

PORTOBELLO 3, WEST MALVERN 6

They gave a debut to Neil Lewis at right back who had an excellent game. The match a personal triumph for Will Hardy who scored four goals.

The game started at a fairly even pace with Portobello playing some good football but the pattern of the game changed round when a through ball from McLennan found Jamie Dean who scored with ease recording his first goal of the season for West Malvern.

They continued to apply the pressure and within five minutes were two up when Will Hardy scored. Portobello came back and a defender headed home from a corner.

This stung the West into greater effort and Will Hardy broke on the left hand side and crossed for Jeff Saunders to score. Then Jamie Dean's quick thinking played the ball into the path of Will Hardy who in his attempt to round the goalkeeper was hauled down. From the resulting penalty Hardy scored to complete his hat-trick.

The second half followed much the pattern of the first half with the West on numerous occasions breaking only to be caught off side. Portobello came back to reduce the arrears to 5-2 but then Will hardy beat the offside trap to make it 6-2. Portobello rallied and scored another goal through their centre forward.

Tomorrow (Saturday) the West, sponsored by Amey Comax, are away at Pershore Manor, players meet 1.45pm, Bluebell Inn, Guarlford Road.