AFTER a poor run of defeats in both cup and league, Town bounced back with a good Midland Alliance win away at Stratford Town.

STRATFORD TOWN 3, MALVERN TOWN 5

With just six minutes on the clock Town forced a corner and Duncan Preedy found Nathan Jukes centrally placed 25 yards out. Jukes chipped the ball into the box for Simon Judge, but both he and the keeper Simon Owen missed the ball and it ran into the net for a lucky opener.

Phil Preedy and Judge both went close with efforts either side of chances by Lennon and Pountney for Stratford. Chances came thick and fast and on 17 minutes left wing- back Nick Clayton had a chance but drove the ball straight into the arms of Owen. Dave Cannon was called upon at the other end as he made a last ditch tackle to deny Lennon.

Skipper Craig Williams made a clumsy tackle and gave away a free-kick 30 yards out. As the ball was floated in, Pountney beat Town's offside trap and goalie Wyatt but saw his header drift wide.

Minutes later Duncan Preedy found Judge with an inch perfect pass and Judge headed over Owen to double Town's lead. Stratford hit back five minutes later when following a corner, Ashley Pringle drove through a melee of players to pull a goal back.

Phil Preedy, who covered a lot of ground, nipped the ball past Owen and the keeper was forced to bring him down in the box, surprisingly Owen only received a yellow card. Darren Bullock took the perfect penalty and Town's lead went to 1-3.

The best goal of the game came in the second half when Phil Preedy played the ball to Dean Roberts. Instead of shooting, he back-heeled the ball to Preedy who ran around him and blasted hard and low for 1-4.

Stratford pushed forward and Town started playing far too deep with the inevitable consequence. First Tom Lever pulled a goal back and then substitute Paul Hunter scored another to make it 3-4 with minutes to go.

Fortunately for Town, Phil Preedy picked up the ball in his own half and carried it 35 yards before finding Rich Tompkins. He had his initial shot blocked by Owen but was first to react and tapped home for a 3-5 scoreline.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Town are at home to Cause-way United (3pm) and on Tuesday (January 18) are at home again to Racing Club Warwick (7.45pm).