MALVERN Town scored an emphatic victory at home to Wellington on Tuesday night, and in doing so maintained a Banks Brewery League run that has now seen them pick up twenty points from their last nine outings.

MALVERN TOWN 4, WELLINGTON 0

In form striker Andy Shepherd was the Town hero who bagged a hat-trick and has now found the net eight times in his last five starts. But in truth it was a convincing team performance that never really left the result in doubt.

Pushing forward from the first whistle, the visitors had constant problems in dealing with the pace of Chris Thomas and Raj Sharma on the flanks and a first goal was not long in coming when Thomas and Steve Walker, who gave another industrious display in the heart of the Town midfield, combined to set up Nick Clayton to strike his first goal of the season in the 15th minute.

This looked as if it might open the floodgates as Malvern streamed forward, but both Sharma and Thomas failed to hit the target from good positions and,incredibly, Brooks and Slade missed from virtual goal line positions.

Although it only really looked as if there was going to be one winner, the visitors counter attacking created a little nervousness on the 'Town bench and on a couple of occasions Wellington might have profited with better finishing.

But, inevitably,it was 'Town who extended their lead in first half injury time, when a brilliant run from Sharma set up Shepherd who rifled the ball home off the inside of the post.

The start of the second period saw a spirited response from Wellington and Ross Sanders saved well from point blank range to deny Wallace, but once Malvern had weathered this spell, they quickly regained their grip on the game and a third goal came in the 60th minute when Shepherd slipped the ball past Priday.

With Mark Brooks dominant in midfield Malvern rarely allowed the visitors a look in and their fourth goal in the 88th minute gave the scoreline a realistic look.

This time it was returning substitute Simon Judge, getting his first taste of first team football since picking up a hamstring injury in the middle of September, who provided Shepherd with the simple task of completing his hat-trick and a very satisfactory night for the Town.

Malvern Town: Sanders, Higgins (Maidment), Hayes, Damore, Clayton. Sharma, Brooks, Walker, Thomas (Phillpotts), Slade (Judge), Shepherd.

Town Assistant Manager Richard Anson said: "Our performance at home to Wellington was very complete. We looked strong all around the park and we might have doubled the score.

"Andy Shepherd has got himself back into the form we all know he is capable of and I thought Mark Brooks and Steve Walker were again outstanding, but most importantly it was a team effort and that is the most pleasing factor.

"We are in good shape now and starting to make up some lost gound and I still mantain that if we can get ourselves established in the top five by Christmas, then we are in with a shout.

"Saturday's trip to Gornal though will not be easy. They always make it difficult for you and we will have to be prepared to scrap for the result."

For the Gornal trip (2.15pm), Town will be without Martin Phillpotts and Adam Ward who are both working, but welcome back skipper Sean Cotterill who missed the Wellington game.

Manager Joey Rawle will select from: Sanders, Higgins, Damore, Cotterill, Hayes, Clayton, Brooks, Sharma, Walker, Thomas, Slade, Judge, Shepherd, Maidment and Hannant.

Town have no scheduled midweek match at this stage, but with the recent postponements supporters are asked to keep in touch with the Club and local media for any developments.In the absence of any competitive match Town may still pursue a friendly if suitable opposition can be found.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Town Reserves are due to begin their defence of the Evesham Hospital Junior Cup when they visit County Sports (2.15pm).

Town's and the Reserves scheduled league fixture last Saturday were both postponed due to the state of the pitches.