MALVERN Vale Firsts marked a busy period by reaching the Cheltenham League's Minor Charity Cup final.

They beat Leckhampton Rovers 3-1 in the last four at Bishop's Cleeve in midweek and then won 3-0 at Division Three title rivals Windyridge Rovers.

Against mid-table league rivals Leckhampton, Vale took a while to get going on a wider and longer pitch than usual.

Midway through the half they had three good chances as Nick Jones twice and Ash Griffiths went through but fired wide.

Vale keeper Marcin Celmer was equal to Leckhampton's efforts.

Malvern picked up their game in the second half and on 50 minutes broke the deadlock when Griffiths' ferocious drive was spilled by keeper Joe Quiney and Andre Rodrigues headed in the rebound.

With 19 minutes left Mario Vieira played in Matt Strangwood who scored at the second attempt.

Brad Taylor pulled a goal back for Leckhampton 10 minutes from time.

But Vale struck a decisive blow when substitute Anthony Cakebread turned his man and fired home.

At Windyridge, leaders Vale faced physical opposition without key players.

The visitors were lucky not to concede when Alex Hale's first touch let him down.

David Keylock went close and the hosts caused panic with several corners on a narrow pitch.

With Griffiths held up by traffic, he arrived late to go back up front at half-time.

Rodrigues, Vieira and Jones took control of midfield while Mig Passaro, Griffiths and Strangwood threatened up front as Windyridge appeared to tire.

Vieira crashed a half-volley against the bar from 30 yards and Strangwood hit the post.

With 10 minutes left Jones headed the ball down and Strangwood turned to roll it past the keeper.

Rodrigues cleared a goalbound effort off the line at the other end.

But with five minutes to go Samson Arishe was fouled and Vieira deceived the keeper from 30 yards with the resulting free-kick.

Vale put the icing on the cake a minute from time when Griffiths dispatched a volley from Strangwood's cross.

They host Leckhampton in the league on Saturday (2pm).

Fourth-placed Welland Reserves beat Cheltenham Civil Service Thirds 5-4.

Malvern Vale Reserves were held 4-4 at home by Andoversford Thirds in Division Four.

Ashley Dallow, Frederick Harrison, Toby Ireland and Jim Acheson-Hill scored for Vale.

Upton Town maintained their Division One title hopes with a 3-1 win at Shurdington Rovers.

Zaqib Hussain (2) and Dylan Hart netted.

Hanley Swan thrashed basement boys Newton 9-2 thanks to five goals from Ashley Bloore.

Joshua Hughes, Jackson McMullen, Kevin Moore and Tom Morris also scored.