SPORTING KHALSA 0, MALVERN TOWN RESERVES 1

AFTER a three week lay-off due to the recent bad weather, Malvern Town Reserves were involved in a very scrappy Sport Italia West Midland Division One game, but managed to sneak a win.

Craig Selby went close on two minutes with a snap-shot which went wide and the same player had to wait a further 26 minutes for his next opportunity, forcing a great save out of the home keeper when being set up from a Rob Cullen throw.

Five minutes later Paul Edwards won the ball in midfield and set up Cullen, who fired wide. Just before the break, Khalsa's number nine skimmed the crossbar with a decent shot.

Early in the second-half Dale Humphries had a chance to score but his header lacked power and direction and was easily collected by the home keeper. Humphries was well placed just outside the box and fired wide following a poor defensive clearance with 60 minutes played.

In the last quarter, Town won two consecutive corners which were delivered by Tom Crump. the first found Dave Lawrence at the far post and he headed over and the second was beautifully met by Anthony Burton, who rattled the back of the net with a powerful header.

This finally sparked Khalsa into action and they enjoyed their best spell of the game, but skipper Jamie Thomas organised the defence well and with support from midfield dynamo Matt Ireson, Malvern left with all three points.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Malvern Town Reserves are at home in the opening round of the Sport Italia Division One cup when they entertain Warstones Wanderers at Langland Stadium.