MALVERN Vale’s senior side are set for the first of many battles with their academy team this season after being pitted against each other in Cheltenham League’s Minor Charity Cup.
The two sides will lock horns on Wednesday (6pm) at Malvern Vale Community Centre in the group stages of the competition before looking ahead to the new campaign.
Vale’s first-team were relegated into Division Four of the Cheltenham League where they will come up against Malvern Vale Academy.
After losing about 10 players last term, Dev Ward has taken his first managerial post alongside assistant Sam Gandy at the academy side.
The team is looking to improve on their 10th placed finish in the 2016/17 campaign as they target a play-off spot and a decent cup run.
They have been boosted by the arrivals of striker Ash Griffiths from Welsh side Presteigne, ex-Evesham United and Stourport Swifts player Andre Rodrigues, young goalkeeper George Weaver and Worcester and District League duo Alan Damadzic and Mario Vieira.
The academy side, formerly known as Malvern Vale Reserves, lost 3-1 to Droitwich Boys and Girls and 3-0 to Hereford City.
But they have shown promising signs having ran out 8-1 winners over Tewkesbury Tigers which featured a hat-trick for new signing Anthony Cakebread and a 2-1 win over Ludlow Colts last Saturday. The difficulty for the club this term is that due to playing in the same division players have to have to sign for one team so there will be no movement between the two teams unless they are transferred.
This means Vale are still trying to add some last-minute signings ahead of their season-opener.
The academy side have received the backing of Worcester-based flooring company Absolutely Fabulous Flooring who will sponsor the new kit and training wear.
They will begin their league campaign with a trip to Fintan Reserves, while the first team host Bishops Cleeve Dev Res next Saturday (both 3pm).
Anyone looking to play can contact the management team on Twitter @MalvernValeAFC or Facebook facebook.com/malvernvaleafc
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