WEST Malvern entertained Inkberrow on Saturday in the Phipps Cup and suffered a lesson in how to play one-touch and open football.

WEST MALVERN 1, INKBERROW RESERVES 6

Inkberrow were in front after 15 minutes when West Malvern made the mistake of appealing for a ball going out of play. The referee played on and the Inkberrow forward had the easiest of jobs tapping the ball into the empty net.

After 30 minutes they conceded a second goal and although Inkberrow were dominating the play it was West Malvern that fought back with a goal from Phil Jenkins, who beat the centre half on the edge of the box and fired into the corner of the net in the 44th minute.

West Malvern were hoping to capitalise on the goal they had scored in the first half and pushed men forward,paying the ultimate penalty when Inkberrow increased their score to three. They then scored a fourth goal when sweeper Andy Pugh mis-kicked to give the centre forward the easiest of chances.

West Malvern failed to create any chances in the second half and did not learn from their mistakes when they conceded the fifth and then the sixth when the ball gently bobbed over the goalkeeper's head when he thought it was going over the bar.

This was a poor performance by West Malvern and if they intend to compete in the later stages of the Phipps Cup, they will need to play much better.

Tomorrow (Saturday) West Malvern, sponsored by Amey and the Cross Keys, travel to Fernhilll Heath in the league, players meet at eurohaus, Malvern Link, at 2pm. Otherwise Oak Apple, Spetchley Road, 2.15pm.