HAVING suffered heavily at the hands of promotion contenders WCT Raiders, Malvern Radar were determined to prove that they could compete at the highest level as they faced Worcester Sunday League Premier Division Heenans on Sunday at Victoria Park.

Tom Hale struck twice and Olly Lean also found the target as Radar held firm to claim an impressive 3-2 victory in a fiercely-contested encounter, enjoyed by players and spectators alike.

Radar moved up to fourth in the table following this win over previously-unbeaten Heenans.

From the off, Radar were put under pressure with keeper Ash Brewer being called into action numerous times and their back four of Tom Clack, Aaron Richards, Josh Ball and Tim Clarke battling superbly to keep the visitors out.

Inspirational skipper Louis Loader was forced to retire shortly after the start with an injury but, surviving this initial onslaught, Radar eventually moved the ball around and played through the midfield.

On 33 minutes and still against the run of play, Radar took the lead when Lean knocked the ball down for Hale, who rifled his volley into the bottom corner.

The reaction from the league-leaders was immediate and for the rest of the half it was definitely ‘game on’ as two good, strong sides contested the middle of the park.

Playing with the slope in the second-half, it was Radar’s turn to exert the early pressure but, after 20 minutes and again against the run of play, Heenans were level when Will Underhill was adjudged to have fouled their striker in the area. Keeper Brewer guessed the right way, but couldn't make the save.

Eleven minutes from time, Hale went on a solo run, leaving defenders in his wake and, after rounding the keeper, rolled the ball into an empty net.

The home celebrations were short-lived though as, five minutes later, Radar were guilty of not clearing the ball early and Heenans equalised with a well-taken header.

Both sides were committed and had chances to steal the points. When Hale laid the ball on a plate for Aaron Richards, the home crowd groaned as the centre-half blasted his shot high over the bar and the game went into injury-time looking set for a draw.

However, Ricky Buckland and Phil Harris combined to set Hale free again down the right and, cutting inside, he found Lean unmarked in the area and he buried his shot into the top corner.

 

PICTURE CAPTION: ALL TOGETHER: Malvern Radar face the camera, back row (left to right), Steve Harness, Stu Fletcher, Tim Clarke, Sane Thompson, Aaron Richards, Ash Brewer, Richard Doyle, Reece King, Phil Harris, Russ Brewer and Mick Clack. Front, Josh Ball, Will Underhill, Matt Cole, Ricky Buckland, Louis Loader, Jack Macintosh, Tom Clack, Harry Wickett and Sam Daffin.             Picture: NICK TOOGOOD. 4713459401