Humphries shines but Town lose on travels (From Malvern Gazette)

Humphries shines but Town lose on travels

6:05pm Sunday 17th February 2008 in Sport

GOALKEEPER Craig Humphries kept the score down as lowly Malvern Town went down 3-1 at third-placed Sutton Coldfield Town.

Humphries, back to his best after a year away from Malvern, ensured the British Gas Business Division One Midlands scoreline was respectable.

But there were signs a much-changed Malvern team look like they can put up a better fight against relegation under new boss Joe Rawle.

Play was cagey in the first-half and both defences coped well. However, in the 38th minute, Sutton top-scorer Justin Rowe tapped a right-wing cross on to Matt Jackson who side-footed home the opener.

Just before the break, Craig Thomas released a fierce shot which hit the post and rebounded to safely.

In time added on, Malvern's Michael Cole and a Sutton player ended up crashing into the away team's dugout trying a reach a goal-kick. Both players were eventually replaced after treatment with Aaron Drake on for Cole at half-time.

The game was still even and, in the 58th minute, Lee Hooper's cross-shot fell to new signing Chris Allen who turned and fired the equaliser under keeper Chris Gemmill.

But, straight from the restart, a Malvern mix-up saw Thomas round Humphries and slot the ball home to restore their lead.

The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Malvern who had worked hard to draw level. Rowe and Thomas were both becoming a handful and Humphries was excellent in three one-to-ones to keep the score down.

But even he could not prevent the third from Thomas in the 72nd minute.

Three minutes later, Rowe was brought down by Humphries but his fine spot-kick was tipped around the post by Humphries.

Malvern's Mark Goodman fired over in the 88th minute as they failed to find a way back.