MALVERN Vale began life in Cheltenham Football League Division One with a 4-2 home win over neighbours Hanley Swan.

Swan finished third last term while four of Vale's top five scorers had left during the summer after their Division Three title-winning campaign.

But the much-changed hosts looked lively as a neat passing move on 13 minutes sent Kris Bottrell free and he squared for Ameer Khan to coolly slot past keeper Daniel Rawlings.

Counter-attacking Vale cut through the Hanley defence four minutes later with Ryan Upson releasing Ryan Knowles to net.

On just 20 minutes Vale added a third when Khan chased down a loose ball from Hanley and curled the ball past Rawlings.

Just before the break the visitors received their first sin bin of the season for dissent.

In the second half Vale extended their lead when Khan crossed for Nick Jones to head in at the back post.

However, with 20 minutes left Alen Damadzic tried to head back to Vale’s keeper but missed and fouled the Hanley striker.

Kevin Moore dispatched the resulting penalty into the bottom corner.

Just two minutes later Damadzic clipped the heels of a Hanley striker on the edge of the box and Moore scored from the free-kick.

Bottrell and Khan failed to capitalise on quick breaks for Vale but they regained some control to seal their opening win.

Vale host Dowty Dynamos on Saturday while Hanley visit Prestbury Rovers.

Aaron Bottomley scored twice as Welland Reserves lost 3-2 at home to Gala Wilton Reserves in Division Two.

Malvern Vale Reserves won 4-1 at Tewkesbury Athletic in the Minor Charity Cup thanks to Ashley Dallow (2), Josh Addison and Callum Gray.

Omar Elmougy put Welland ahead but the villagers lost 3-1 at Sutton United in the Midland Football League's Les James Challenge Cup first round.

Upton Town also exited the competition with a second successive 1-0 home defeat to WLV Sport.

Welland host Birmingham Tigers in Division Three on Saturday and Upton go to Leamington Hibernian.