MALVERN Vale Reserves lost 5-1 at Cheltenham United in their Cheltenham League Division Four opener.

Cheltenham opened the scoring through the central midfielder and added another following a mix-up in the middle of the park.

Vale pulled a goal back through debutant and their man of the match Frederick Harrison before Cheltenham went 3-1 up.

The visitors won a penalty when Luke Henney was fouled but the same player's spot-kick was well saved.

Cheltenham went on to win 5-1.

Vale visit Fintan Reserves on Saturday.