MALVERN Town secured a second consecutive West Midlands League Premier Division home success at the Langland Stadium.

Les Jones’ side saw off fellow bottom-half side Wolverhampton Sporting Com- munity 3-1 with Lee Hooper bagging a brace.

But Malvern had a wake-up call in the 14th minute when Simson Townsend weaved past the defence before finding Kyle Cassall, who shot straight at keeper Ian Hill.

A minute later, the hosts took the lead with Hooper converting a penalty for handball after a right-wing attack ended with Reece King’s run and cross.

King then passed to Louis Loader who moved into the area but his shot was saved by keeper Sam Benten.

Malvern made it two in injury-time when Hooper could not quite reach Loader’s right-wing cross but James Lush retrieved the ball for him to complete a first-half brace.

The third goal arrived on 53 minutes when Loader centred a free-kick with Hooper nodding the ball on for Joe Endacott to dispatch a fine waist-high volley.

Malvern made three substitutions to rest legs but the move backfired when Chris Parker, just back from injury, only spent 10 minutes on the pitch before he was kicked in the knee.

The Worcestershire side, who had thrashed basement boys Bartley Green 6-0 in their last game, had to play the final 15 minutes with 10 men and Wolverhampton gained confidence.

In the 84th minute, Matt Dudley ran down the left to fire in a powerful cross-shot which keeper Hill could only help into the net.

Soon after, Wolverhampton went close from a corner with Hill blocking an effort.

Malvern had the last say, however, when Loader beat the defence before shooting over with time running out.

* Mid-table Bromyard Town’s Premier Division home match with Wolverhampton Casuals was postponed.

They host Bilston Town tomorrow at Delahay Meadow (3pm) before next Wednesday’s local derby at Malvern (7.45pm).

* Ledbury Town slumped 2-1 to basement boys St Martins in Division One at a chilly New Street.

Paul Mann’s side returned to seventh position as their Shropshire visitors enjoyed a first win of the season.

A strong Ledbury line-up just did not seem to turn up on the day as a huge number of chances went begging in the first-half alone.

They only scored through Craig Kitchener during a goalmouth scramble 25 minutes into the second period.

Jamie Welch’s effort was cleared off the line before he was ruled offside when the ball did hit the net.

Keeper Paul Foster saved from Pat Locke but St Martins took a 65th-minute lead through Kim Bailey before Kitchener swooped.

However, Town keeper Luke Ledbury was beaten by the winner 10 minutes from time courtesy of Jamie Williams’ lob. A desperate finale could not produce another equaliser for Ledbury, who visit third-placed Haughmond tomorrow (3pm).

Brimfield gained immediate revenge following their 4-1 defeat the previous week with a 4-2 victory over Ledbury Town Reserves.

Ryan Williams and Carl Wildig scored for Ledbury, who remain second in Herefordshire League Division One ahead of tomorrow’s home game with third-placed Woofferton (2.30pm).

* Eighth-placed Malvern Rangers drew 2-2 with promotion-chasing Team Dudley in West Midlands League Division Two.