MALVERN TOWN 0, EVESHAM UNITED 1

MALVERN Town gifted former player Mark Owen with a Boxing Day present in the third minute and despite increased pressure in the second half they were unable to equalise.

In the third minute, confusion in the Malvern central defence left Owen the chance to sneak through and lob Lewis Skyers to put his side in front.

In the 16th minute, following a cross from the left, Danny Scheppel turned and shot and Skyers tipped it over the cross bar. From the corner Michael Hayden's shot from the edge of the area was again tipped over by the busy Lewis.

In the 55th minute, scorer Mark Owen had a snapshot which hit the post.

With the score remaining at 1-0 Malvern began to play better football and started to create chances. A Jamie Hyde shot was caught by keeper Vaughan in the 60th minute and Chris Hughes shot over the bar. Damion Jarrett's shot from 35 yards out was only parried by Nathan Vaughan but there was no-one there to pick up the pieces.

Owen has a chance to gain a second in the 85th minute but Skyers made a point blank save.

RUSHALL OLYMPIC 4, MALVERN TOWN 0

A GOAL either side of half-time sent Malvern crashing to another defeat in the British Gas Business Division One Midlands fixture.

The first 42 minutes were hard fought by both sides with neither side creating a real chance.

Malvern then gave away a free kick near the by-line and a cross into the box saw Paul McMahon head home.

In the 50th minute, a crossfield ball was missed by the Malvern defence and Neil Barnfield ran in at the back post to slot the ball under keeper Lewis Skyers.

Ten minutes later, a misunderstanding between the defence and keeper allowed Paul McMahon to sneak his second.

Malvern came back and first Warren Howes hit a good long range shot which keeper Tony Breeden saved and then a Damion Jarrett free-kick from just outside the box hit the post.

In the 85th minute, Malvern were awarded a penalty for handball, Matt Aubrey stepped up but Breeden made a great save.

Malvern's heads dropped for the last few minutes and substitute Paul Szewczyk ran onto the ball and completed the scoring.