Studley 2, Malvern Town 1.

TWO goals in three minutes mid-way through the first-half was Malvern’s undoing in this Aspire Midland Alliance clash.

Town started brightly and tried to play attractive football but persistent rain throughout the game badly affected the pitch as the ball was unable to roll properly and hindered their attempts to play their passing game.

Malvern then suffered two injuries.

Firstly Bryan Craven, helping his defence, landed on keeper Alex Hards banging his head and he needed a few minutes to recover.

Then Paul Ireland clashed heads with a Studley player in the middle of the park and he required treatment.

A couple of minutes later the ball was played up the right hand side, crossed to Paul O’Brien who knocked it onto Jack Edwards to head home.

He grabbed his second in the 23rd minute to further dent Malvern’s hopes.

Studley tried to increase their lead but by this time Malvern’s defence had regrouped and prevented any further worthwhile chances.

The visitors had the best chance when the ball was played to Craig Selby but he fired wide.

Malvern made a substitution at the start within 10 minutes the ball was played up the right.

It was crossed into the area and knocked out to Paul Edwards, who rifled the ball towards goal but keeper Matthew Harris caught it. Two further substitutions in the 58th and 60th minutes soon reaped rewards for Chris Palmer’s side.

In the 63rd minute the ball was played to Andrew Crosskey who fired an unbeatable shot into the net.

Malvern pushed for the equaliser but were unable to put the final ball into the area to create a good chance.

Studley attacked for the final 10 minutes but their effort proved fruitless.

Town’s Kyle Knott earned two yellow cards resulting in him being sent off with a minute to go.

Malvern crashed to a 5-2 home defeat to league leaders Barwell on Tuesday night.

Joe Tustain and Michael Rhodes scored for Town, who found themselves 3-0 down at half-time. The result leaves them third-from-bottom.