MALVERN Dipsticks’ winning run ended with a battling 1-0 loss to Cleevillains in a mixed friendly.

Fielding only 10 players against talented opposition, the visitors were under pressure from the start.

But they tried to keep a handle on the Villains’ lively movement with solid tackling from Hywel Rhys Matthews.

The one-player disadvantage took its toll midway through the first-half with the only goal despite Anthony Arnold’s desperate attempt to clear off the line. In the second-half, Dipsticks started to pass more concisely and became a greater attacking threat with Alex Dakin and Neil Anderson going close.

The Malvern side recorded a fine 6-3 victory at a youthful Painswick outfit the previous week with Richard Peate among those on target.

New players are welcome and can contact Arnold on 07773-879880 or visit the Dipsticks’ Facebook page.