WARSTONE UNITED 0, MALVERN TOWN RESERVES 1

MALVERN travelled to North Birmingham on Saturday and came away with a hard earned win against a side that had won 1-5 at the Langland Stadium earlier in the season.

It was one way traffic as Malvern lay siege to the Warstone goal. The first opportunity fell to Robbie Cullen who connected with a Tom Crump cross and his overhead kick just skimmed the crossbar.

Oliver Read had a tremendous all round game with some strong linking runs and fierce tackles. With 12 minutes played he raced down the wing and crossed to new boy Andy Crowther whose shot on goal was blocked by Warstone skipper Mat Yeomans.

Seven minutes later Cullen threw into the box where Crowther headed on for Dave Lawrence, who turned well, but fired over from near the penalty spot. The next opportunity came when Anthony Burton played the ball out wide to Read and he dribbled past the defenders before seeing his shot deflected over the bar by defender Ryan Jones.

Just when it looked as though Malvern would never score, Crump delivered a free -kick which was half-cleared to Burton, who was lurking on the edge of the box and he drove the ball hard and low into the back of the net.

The second half was a different affair altogether as Warstone with the strong wind behind them, attacked much more.

A brilliant defensive display where Joe Leighton and Jamie Thomas excelled managed to deny Warstone and Town left with all three points.