MALVERN Town made up for their midweek Harvey World Travel Alliance 1-0 defeat at Stratford with a convincing win at newly-promoted Tipton Town thanks to a Mark Owen hat-trick.

TIPTON TOWN 1, MALVERN TOWN 4

Tipton had won and drawn their opening two games and although Malvern's performance lacked dominance they were more than happy to come away with the three points.

In a mediocre first half, Tipton were the first to threaten and visiting goalkeeper Craig Humphries saved from Reynolds as the striker miscued from close range.

Both side struggled to impose their passing games but it was Tipton who took the lead in the 19th minute. Dhanda won the ball in midfield and released Coates, who ran through to slot home.

Malvern equalised when a free-kick from Darren Bullock was headed down by Mark Shepherd and Mark Owen scored his first goal for the club from close range.

Within minutes of the start of the second half Malvern took the lead when Des Cox rode two tackles to set up Mark Shepherd, who steered the ball round home goalkeeper Watson.

Malvern took charge of the game after this and Bullock had a free-kick go narrowly wide before Rik Halion whipped a shot just wide of the posts.

Two goals in five minutes put Malvern in the clear and both were set up by the impressive Rich Tompkins.

In the 58th minute his cross was laid off by Shepherd for Owen to score and then in the 63rd minute another Tompkins run and cross created a chance for to Owen complete his hat-trick.

In the 75th minute Tompkins again set up Owen but his shot was blocked and Phil Preedy fired the rebound over the bar.

Humphries made another good save for the Town to thwart Coates before Bullock saw his second free-kick go just wide.