THE only game in The Soccer Site Malvern League division one on Sunday saw Oak Allstars looking to go back to the top of the table.

They faced the hurdle of visiting their bogey team Talbot Head, who had more than played their part in denying Oak Allstars' title aspirations in the last two seasons. It looked like that could be the case again this season before a late goal gave Oak Allstars the points with a hard fought 2-1 victory.

The first half found Talbot holding their own and when Oak Allstars did threaten, first home keeper Nick Rogers made a fine one-handed save from a Jamie Gladwin shot, and then when he was beaten just before half-time, David Holmes raced back to hook the goal- bound effort clear off the line.

Oak Allstars came out for the second half more determined and took the lead early on when Neil Gardiner latched onto a rebound 12 yards out and swivelled to hook the ball home. Talbot were then indebted to keeper Nick Rogers, who made a series of fine saves to keep the visitors at bay as they began to play some good football. With Talbot striker Danny Briscoe having to leave the field with an injury, there looked to be only one likely result.

But as in the previous games between these clubs, Talbot Head kept plugging away but did not really threaten the visitors' goal until, in the 75th minute, they were awarded a free-kick 30 yards out. Up stepped substitute Richard Foley and his thunderous shot flew into the top corner of the visitors' net. Talbot Head then began to push forward and Oak Allstars had a couple of self-inflicted shaky moments, but gradually the visitors regained their composure and regained the lead in the 85th minute when Jamie Gladwin raced through the home defence from the halfway line and gave Nick Rogers no chance with his shot. This proved to be the winning goal and enough to lift Oak Allstars to the top of the table on goal difference over Bishops Frome.

Division two saw table-toppers Perowne Park Rangers have their lead cut down as they suffered their second successive defeat when he lost 2-3 to much-improved visitors Belmont Keys. It appeared that Perowne Park would resume their winning ways when they went in at half-time 2-0 up, thanks to goals from Pete Jones and Dan Wakecam but Belmont Keys had other ideas and came out for the second-half in a much more determined mood.

Steve Wood lobbed the Perowne keeper from 18 yards to pull a goal back in the 60th minute and it became 2-2 in the 70th minute when Gavin Smith took a free-kick from 30 yards out and his shot floated over the defence and into the top corner of the net. Rob Jones then netted the winner in the 80th minute with a volley from 18 yards out to move Belmont up to third in the table.

Keyz 04 took advantage of this slip-up by the leaders and thanks to a 2-0 victory over visitors Dilligaf United, courtesy of goals from Andrew Lancett and Chris Golding, they now are only two points behind with a game in hand.

The final line-up in the two cup competitions was resolved when goals from Wayne Tizzard and Neil Berry gave Bishops Frome a 2-0 victory over visitors Dynamo Ledbury in cup pool A.

The league's remaining representative in the WFA Sunday Minor Cup, Cross Keys, went out when they lost 2-3 to Bredon.

The league's Senior Cup draw has been made with games to be played on February 13: Bishops Frome v Bell Inn 98, Oak Allstars v Dynamo Ledbury, Talbot Head v Morgan Aero 8, Cross Keys v Belmont Keys.

The President's Cup draw, with games to be played on Sunday (February 6): Keyz 04 v All Stars Misfits, Ganglands v Keys Victoria, Perowne Park Rangers v Fromes Hill. Dilligaf United - bye.

All ties to be settled on the day with extra-time and penalties if necessary.

The game of the day on Sunday is in the quarter-final of the Herefordshire Sunday Cup where holders Bishops Frome entertain fellow Soccer Site Malvern League team Oak Allstars.

Will all club secretaries please note that the league secretary will be on holiday on Sunday (February 6), so all results should be telephoned to 01684 310561.