THERE’S a mouth-watering Buildbase FA Vase first qualifying round tie on Sunday as Malvern Town lock horns with county rivals Pershore Town (3pm).

With the Hillsiders’ stadium redevelopment work still ongoing the game will be played at the Jubilee Stadium, home of Evesham United.

It has been a bright start to life in Uhlsport Hellenic League Division One West for Malvern with two wins and 12 goals from their opening two fixtures.

Tenth-placed Pershore, under former Malvern manager Les Jones, have won one and drawn one of their four West Midlands League Premier Division games so far.

“It’s a game that we have been looking forward to since the draw was made,” admitted Lee Hooper who replaced Jones in charge along with fellow co-manager Dene Whittal-Williams.

“We’re expecting a good, old-fashioned cup tie between two local rivals who will be giving it their all.

“We know that it will be a tough assignment for us but we have prepared well and are looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“There’s a good vibe amongst the players. We’re putting our opponents on the back foot and playing with plenty of confidence in these early games.

“We know that there will be times when we have to be compact, dig in and get behind the ball but for now we are playing some nice stuff.”

As well as Jones, Pershore’s former Malvern connections include players Matt Pinder, Steve Webb, Ben Lane, Dane Aldington and Dan Noke.

Malvern’s last game was on August 17 when they won 6-2 at higher-ranked Longlevens in the Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup.

Matt Turner (2), Kyonn Evans (2), Louis Loader and Harry Clark scored the goals.

Before that Malvern won 5-3 at Thornbury Town and 7-1 at Newent Town in the league to go fourth in the table.

The only blip has been a 2-1 defeat to Whitchurch Alport in the FA Cup. Malvern’s next league game is at Shortwood United on Saturday, September 7.