MALVERN Vale Academy stretched their winning run to five games and this time did not have to hit back from going behind.

They won 9-1 at bottom-of-the-table Charlton Rovers thirds in Cheltenham Association League Division Four despite several players being unavailable due to work and holidays.

Overnight rain caused the pitch to cut up but Vale started strongly and created several openings.

They broke the deadlock on 16 minutes when Anthony Cakebread's pass was fired home from the edge of the box by Andre Rodrigues.

Two minutes later, Rodrigues slid in ahead of the keeper for his second after Gavin Hodgkins' shot was blocked

They made it three in four minutes as Ted Fredericks won the ball before playing Callum Hill through and his shot from the edge of the box rolled under the keeper.

Vale missed further chances but on 27 minutes referee Dave Watts spotted a push on Rodrigues and awarded a penalty that the same player duly dispatched to complete his hat-trick.

Only three minutes later, Vale made it five when wingers Hill and Cakebread combined with the latter slotting home the cross.

Hill stretched the lead further on 36 minutes, cutting into the box from the left wing and firing past the keeper.

The second half continued in the same vein and on 52 minutes a half-volley from outside the box by Hodgkins was parried by the keeper over his head and into the goal.

On 64 minutes Hill beat his man in the box but as he crossed a Charlton defender slid through him and Watts awarded a second spot-kick.

Hill fired the penalty into the roof of the net to complete his hat-trick. 

Only a minute later, Cakebread’s corner was headed home by Hill for his fourth and Vale’s ninth goal.

Vale tired and Michael Buckland made a last-ditch tackle to deny Charlton before George Weaver twice made good saves.

Charlton got a deserved consolation when a simple through-ball allowed the striker to slot past Weaver.

In difficult conditions and without influential skipper Jacob Hooper, it was a much-improved display from the start by Vale who host Andoversford seconds on Saturday looking to continue their climb up the table from sixth position.

Third-placed Malvern Vale firsts lost 1-0 at home to fellow high-fliers Woodmancote United and they visit Prestbury Rovers Reserves on Saturday.

Welland Reserves moved up to fourth by hammering Winchcombe Town Reserves 8-3.

Jamie Harding, Joe Rowland and Simon Haywood all scored twice with Craig Tommey and Jack Burfitt also on target.

They go to Woodmancote on Saturday.