Malvern Town 1, Bromyard Town 1.

THE derby day spoils were shared in the West Midlands League Premier Division after a hard-fought game played in a strong wind between Malvern Town and Bromyard Town.

After a tentative start, Malvern earned a 22nd-minute corner corner which was played into the box and, after several touches by both sides, it eventually fell to Paul Edwards at the edge of the box but his weak shot was saved by Alex Rhodes.

Six minutes later, a Bromyard cross from the right resulted in Shaq Tulloch hitting a post.

Malvern went straight up the other end and Lee Hooper played the ball to Bryan Craven, who knocked it onto Rob Cullen. The latter’s shot was caught by Rhodes.

Two minutes before the interval, Hooper fed the ball through to Cullen who headed over the crossbar. Three minutes into the second-half Hooper found himself one-on-one with Rhodes but miscued his shot.

Five minutes later the ball reached Rhodes who was under pressure from Craven. The visiting keeper dropped the ball but Craven’s shot hit the post.

The visitors took the lead on the hour mark when a corner found captain Rob Woodward who scored.

Three minutes later Dave Reynolds battled hard and won the ball on the right-hand side, he rounded his defender but Rhodes parried his subsequent effort. Hooper’s cross into the box so no-one was able to turn it in.

Malvern equalised in the 69th minute when they earned a free-kick just outside the area. Hooper drilled in a low, hard hit shot into the corner of the net.

A minute later Edwards weaved his way through three Bromyard players and found Cullen on the right but he was unable to cross the ball into the box.

The last 20 minutes saw both sides trying to get the winner but both Hooper and Craven shot wide for the hosts.

Malvern goalkeeper Ian Hill was called upon make two good saves.

Then Reynolds’ corner went right across the goal but no-one was able to turn it in.

In the 85th minute Oliver Endacott crossed to the back post where John Pykett was racing in but he hit his shot over the bar .

Bromyard were awarded a freekick which was played into the box Hill parried it and Gareth McCarthy fired over the crossbar.

In the 90th minute, Reynolds took a free-kick to Pykett who shot just over. Malvern Town Ladies remain third in West Midlands League Division One South despite a 2-0 away victory over Coventry Development Ladies.

The Langland Stadium side are now just one point behind leaders Birmingham and West Midlands Police.

Malvern Town Reserves stay at the foot of the West Midlands League Division Two following a 3-2 defeat at Mahal.

This reverse was their 13th defeat from their opening 15 games of the season and left them on just four points.

Tomorrow, they travel to Sikh Hunters (ko 2pm) looking for only their second win of the campaign.

Malvern Town’s Sunday side suffered a 4-0 defeat at Arley in the Worcestershire FA Minor Cup.

On Sunday, Malvern host Cutnall Green in their latest Worcester and District Sunday League Division Four clash (ko 10.30am).

Malvern’s Sunday side are eighth in the table on seven points.