MALVERN Town welcomed joint leaders Oadby Town to Langland Stadium on Friday evening for a Travel Factory Midland Football Alliance game.

MALVERN TOWN 2, OADBY TOWN 0

Malvern started strongly and in the fifth minute the ball was crossed from the left to Duncan Preedy but his header was caught by keeper Laurie Pearson. Four minutes later a good ball from Scott Morris found Duncan Preedy but he delayed his shot and a minute later Wes Joyce shot tamely.

Malvern kept up the pressure and in the 14th minute a diagonal ball found Duncan Preedy, who crossed the ball into the area where Scott Morris's powerful header was tipped over the bar by Pearson. A minute later Phil Preedy's effort went wide after good work by Morris and Wes Joyce.

In the 28th minute Pearson came to the edge of his box to collect the ball but he fumbled his catch and the loose ball was picked up by Morris who turned and fired into the side netting.

Oadby's first real attack came in the 30th minute when a shot by Ross Blockley from over 35 yards out was tipped over by Paul Wyatt in the Malvern goal and from the resulting corner Andy Tiday shot just over.

Malvern came back and a good shot by Joyce was palmed away by Pearson and a minute later Duncan Preedy's shot was parried away to safety.

Malvern started the second half in similar fashion and a good ball out of defence in the 51st minute found Phil Preedy who ran 20 yards and passed to Joyce who shot wide of the post. The constant Malvern pressure finally told in the 53rd minute when Duncan Preedy passed to brother Phil, who slotted the ball home.

Malvern continued to press and in the 55th minute another good ball from Duncan Preedy found Joyce who again shot wide, five minutes later a powerful shot from Morris went wide, another shot from Phil Preedy was tipped round the post by Pearson and a accurate ball from Darren Bullock found Duncan Preedy whose shot was saved by the keeper.

Malvern were finally rewarded for all their hard work and pressure when an Oadby defender handled the ball in the area and Wes Joyce duly converted the resulting penalty kick.

Tomorrow (Saturday) sees a change to Malvern's fixture. Originally they were due to play Causeway United, who ground share with Halesowen Town, but the latter team have been draw at home in the FA Cup so the game has been postponed to Wednesday, December 8. Malvern are now away to Cradley Town in the Travel Factory Midland Football Alliance game, kick-off 3pm. Malvern Town Reserves are at home to Ludlow Town Reserves in a West Midlands (Regional ) League Division One game, kick-off 2.45pm.