MANAGER Les Jones has bolstered Malvern Town’s strike-force ahead of tomorrow’s FA Vase first round qualifying clash with higher-graded Walsall Wood (3pm).

Top-of-the-table Town have snapped up Bartestree striker Dan Herbert, who played the final five minutes of Malvern’s 2-1 home success against Wednesfield on Tuesday night.

Malvern have secured five wins from their opening seven matches in the West Midlands League Premier Division and salvaged a point from Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Willenhall Town.

Jones said: “We are all looking forward to tomorrow’s home game in the FA Vase.

“It’s not a league game so we can enjoy it and, hopefully, we will be backed by a good crowd.

“Walsall Wood finished sixth in the Midland Alliance last season and boasted the second-best defensive record in the division.

“They do not concede many and we cannot afford to go gung-ho against them and give away an early goal as it would be a long road back.

“I will tell my players they will need to stay in the contest for as long as they can and it’s important we remain in contention until at least the start of the second-half.”

Jones is delighted to have former Ledbury Town player Herbert on board and he expects Joe Endacott and Chris Allen to be available for Saturday’s home cup clash.

He said: “Dan trained with us in pre-season and he’s kept in touch. We have also got Bryan Craven, who is a good player.”

Goals from Sam Rathbone and Harry Wickett fired Malvern to three points in a lively midweek affair against Wednesfield, who had two players sent off.

The visitors took an early lead before summer signing Rathbone levelled with a cool finish after fine work from Jake Hollylee.

Town grabbed the winner after Wickett picked up a through-ball and found the net with a deflected strike.

The win completed a good few days for Jones’ men who rescued a point, through Dave Reynolds’ late strike, in a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Willenhall.

Jones added: “We have had a great start but are under no illusions about the strength of the league.

“We are not the type of club who can splash out on a £100-a-match striker like some of the other sides in the division.”

Town host county rivals Bewdley in the league on Tuesday (7.45pm).