MALVERN Vale Academy returned to action after a two-week break with a 6-2 win at White Eagles in the Worcestershire FA Saturday Minor Cup first round.

As has been the case before, Vale started slowly and a defensive error allowed Stratford Alliance side Eagles to break through and finish.

Eagles wanted to play from the back so Vale looked to press high up the pitch and cause a defensive error.

After skipper Jacob Hooper narrowly missed a header, Vale drew level.

Devin Ward chased down a long back-pass and the under-pressure keeper picked up the ball, giving an indirect free kick within the Eagles area.

Newcomers Cal Hill and Ben Goode combined to see the latter hit a strike which rebounded off the post and in off a defender on the line.

Vale pressed to take the lead and after Ward missed what appeared to be a relatively easy chance Hill put Vale in front with a shot from the edge of the area that somehow went in under the keeper.

The keeper went off injured minutes later after a challenge from Ward, leaving an outfield player in goal.

After Vale keeper George Weaver made several good saves, on the stroke of half-time Mike Thackeray gave away a free-kick just inside the Vale half and Eagles scrambled the equaliser home despite protests of a foul on Andre Rodrigues.

A few positional changes were made at half-time, dropping Ward back to defence and moving Rodrigues up front.

Vale appeared to control the second half and were much more comfortable all over the park.

They regained the lead when a Hodgkins free-kick found Rodrigues who finished past the keeper despite claims of offside.

Vale extended their lead when Hill broke into the box and despite his initial shot being blocked he slotted away the rebound.

The pace of Hill caused the tiring defence more problems and the work-rate of Ted Fredericks in a man-of-the-match performance continued to press Eagles.

Hill completed his hat-trick when he broke through and rounded the onrushing keeper before slotting into an empty net.

There was still time for Vale to add a sixth when Hill was brought down in the box and Les Brown stepped up to slot home his second penalty of the season.

Vale return to Cheltenham League Division Four action at home to Bishops Cleeve Development Reserves on Saturday.

Vale firsts lost 5-2 at Inkberrow thirds in the same county competition and visit Winchcombe Town Reserves in the league on Saturday.