MALVERN Town visited Lye Meadow on Saturday to take on high-flying Alvechurch in a tricky encounter played on a sea of mud.

ALVECHURCH 1, MALVERN TOWN 2

Alvechurch were in a rich vein of form with wins over Midland Alliance leaders Chasetown, 1-4 last Saturday, and on Tuesday evening they dumped third-placed Stourbridge out of the Polymac Services League Cup

Malvern opened cautiously but took the game to their opponents and a superb ball from Simon Judge found Phil Preedy free on the left, but the wide man failed to control the ball.

Malvern forced their first corner of the game after 25 minutes but a Phil Preedy effort was easily dealt with by home keeper Greg Allen. He played a quick throw-out to Dominic Wolf wide on the right and he in turn threaded a fine pass into the path of Gareth Davies, who had outstripped the Town's defence but his final effort sailed over the bar.

With condition getting even more difficult, players were finding it hard to keep their feet which made play scrappy at times. On 33 minutes Malvern had a great chance to take the lead when a long kick by Paul Wyatt found Dean Roberts on the edge of the 'Church 18-yard box. He turned superbly to outwit Simon Redhead but with only the keeper to beat, side-footed the ball into his hands.

Alvechurch starting to come more into the game after this and on 40 minutes Paul Wyatt in the Town goal made a great diving save from the lively O'Shea.

The home side were getting the upper hand and on 42 minutes Paul Longthorn squandered another chance when he fired over the bar when well placed. The pressure paid off on the stroke of half-time when, after a quick one-two between Lonthorn and O'Shea, the latter picked out Jason Ramsey on the edge of the box and his first time shot found the net off the inside of the post.

The second half was only five minutes old when Malvern equalised, Andy Chalmers made ground down the right delivering a low cross into the box which eluded everyone and found the corner of the net, with home keeper Allen rooted to the spot.

On 60 minutes O'Shea shot wide when well placed for 'Church and two minutes later Longthorn did the same from 12 yards out. At the other end Dean Roberts hit a tremendous shot which came back off the post.

As both team looked for the winner changes were made and with four minutes of normal time remaining, this paid dividends for Malvern. Des Cox, who had replaced the hard-working Simon Judge, found himself on the edge of the box and saw keeper Allan off his line. He chipped a superb lob over his head and into the net.

'Church tried hard to conjure up an equaliser but the Malvern defence, well organised by new boy Tommy Caddinan, held firm.

Malvern Town are away at Oldbury United tomorrow (Saturday) and on Tuesday evening visit Westfields (7.45pm).