FORMER joint manager Dene Whittal-Williams returned to the Malvern Town dug-out in mid-week as he oversaw the 5-0 Smedley Crooke Cup quarter-final win over Coton Green.

Whittal-Williams, who now holds the role of Director of Football Development, took charge in the absence of manager Lee Hooper who was unwell.

The cup game provided Town with the chance to give some minutes to players from the under-18 side, something that Whittal-Williams is now directly involved with.

"It was great to be in the dug-out alongside Rich Bray in Hoops’ absence due to illness," he said.

"The performance can best be described as professional. Even with the changes to the side, we started with purpose and energy, which put our hosts onto the back-foot.

"It was a perfect opportunity to develop the player pathway by gaining understanding and perspective of each other and the players on show.

"Going four goals up gave us the ideal opportunity to bring on three U18 players who all played part in seeing the game out with a 5-0 win.

Whittal-Williams stepped down as co-manager back in June of this year due to family commitments but was kept in the club, now tasked with focussing on the development of players from youth to the senior team.