MALVERN Town face a tough pre-season test on Saturday when Tamworth visit the Langland Stadium (3pm).

Paul Molloy's team take of the Blue Sqaure North outift, relegated from the Conference last season, in their second warm-up match following last Saturday's 1-1 draw against Ledbury Town.

Tamworth are the highest-ranked of all Malvern's pre-season opponents and arrive at the Langland on the back of a 6-0 win at Gedling Town and 3-0 victory over Stamford.

Former Worcester City captain Des Lyttle has featured for the Lambs in both games along with ex-Bolton and Leicester defender Gerry Taggart.

Malvern go into the game without their forward duo of Danny Harding-Hall and Ed Lyons who have groin and foot injuries respectively.

Otherwise, Molloy expects to be at full strength and be able to play a mixture of first-team players and trialists.

He said: "We are really looking forward to the Tamworth game. They are bringing a full squad and they are on fire at the moment. They have assured us it will be a first team.

"We are hoping for a good crowd to hold us in good stead for the rest of the season."

He added: "It's a good test fitness-wise. I am expecting them to be a bit fitter but it will give us a test to see how far we have come.

"It's important not to give the ball away or we will be chasing shadows for 90 minutes."

Meanwhile, Malvern begin their Southern League Division One Midlands campaign with a home match against newly-promoted Romulus on Saturday, August 18.

They visit local rivals Evesham United three days later before hosting Chasetown on Saturday, August 25.

Other key dates see them entertain Evesham on Boxing Day, go to Cinderford Town on New Year's Day and finish the season with a trip to Bishops Cleeve on Saturday, April 26.

Town are also scheduled to play five of their last seven fixtures at home.

Manager Molloy said: "We have got a bit of a tough start with Romulus and then we have got Evesham and Chasetown.

"It could have been better but we'll give it our best crack."

Admission for the Tamworth game is £6 for adults with under 16s going free with an adult.