THIS was a disappointing league performance by Malvern Town on Saturday at Langland Stadium and in reality the visitors deserved to win by a bigger margin.

MALVERN TOWN 0, COALVILLE TOWN 3

Town had a number of early chances but both Des Cox and Phil Preedy found themselves caught offside by a defence which has conceded few goals this season. The midfield were also guilty of over-hitting their passes and very often the ball ran to Coalville's goalie Sean Bowles, who was under no pressure to pick it up.

With just 11 minutes on the clock Coalville's striker Rich Saunders, probably man of the match, headed through Town's static defence, steadied himself and smashed the ball past Paul Wyatt to give the visitors a 0-1 lead.

Right winger Duncan Preedy intercepted a ball played between Bowles and a defender and Preedy attempted a shot from a far too tight an angle.

Darren Bullock switched play and found Duncan Preedy in space on the right, and the winger crossed first time to the far post where new boy Thomas Callinan was just beaten to the ball by a defender.

A minute later the ball was cleared to Duncan Preedy and he tried to catch Bowles off his line, hitting the ball straight back from 30 yards, but Bowles recovered, and tipped the ball over for a corner.

Phil Preedy was denied at his first real attempt as Bowles came off his line well. A minute later, Preedy got into the 18-yard box and was fouled by Coalville's skipper Dave Tongue. Darren Bullock stepped up to take the penalty and hit the ball well but a superb diving effort from Bowles maintained the visitors' slender lead.

The penalty miss proved to be crucial to the game as far as Town were concerned because Coalville grew in confidence and played some excellent one-touch football which led to a number of chances for the visitors. Saunders hit one effort over the bar and Kim Green went close with two headers before putting Saunders through again and this time he was only denied by Wyatt's outstretched legs.

In recent weeks Town have hit back from the odd goal deficit, but this time, as Town's stretched defence just blasted the ball upfield, it was soon brought back by this hard-working and creative Coalville side.

On one occasion Town did try to play the ball out of defence and Cannon's attempted pass was intercepted. The ball was quickly transferred to Saunders who rounded Wyatt for goal number two. When Tim Wilkes crossed from the right, Danny Geary rose highest and headed home for goal number three, it was all over as a contest.

After that Town lost their way as their guests became quicker in thought deed and action. Town did have couple of chances to pull a goal back and young Rich Tompkins went close twice, but the visitors had more chances to extend their lead, and saw the game out worthy winners.