WORCESTER ROYAL INFIRMARY CUP FINAL

AN extra time penalty from Brian Powell condemned Malvern to defeat in what was their first of four attempts to lift a trophy this season.

FECKENHAM 2, MALVERN TOWN 1 (AET)

Malvern could be forgiven for having other things on their mind once news of Tipton Town's draw at home to Ledbury began to filter through.

Town started well and Feckenham goalkeeper Dave Gorton twice denied Craig Williams and then Dean Roberts to keep his side in the game.

At the other end, the influential Powell kept the Malvern defence on their toes and on more than one occasion the ball flashed across Dave Alden's penalty area without a Feckenham player being on hand.

But when the Midland Combin-ation outfit did take the lead, there was a touch of controversy about the goal.

Gary Smith appeared to have been fouled on the halfway line, but despite Malvern's protests, the ball broke to Powell who turned Andy Chalmers and fired the ball just inside Alden's right hand post.

The second half saw Malvern much more like their normal selves and an excellent move involving Nick Clayton, Rik Halion and Smith, set up Roberts, who fired past Gorton to secure Town's equaliser in the 54th minute.

At this point it looked like Town would go on and win comfortably as Gorton saved well from Scott Morris and again from Roberts.

In fact Town's hope's were not helped when Roberts pulled up with a hamstring injury and was immediately substituted.

Inevitably, the game went into extra time and Malvern's options were again restricted when skipper Craig Williams also left the field with an injury.

But with little to choose between the sides at this stage, a ball played across the edge of the Town penalty area struck Dave Cannon on the hand. This not only earnt Feckenham a free kick, but also a red card for Cannon. Just seconds later a corner from the right appeared to have alluded most players, but Town substitute John Fryer was adjudged to have pushed Powell and the resultant penalty was struck home by the same player in the 101st minute.

The second period of extra time saw Town continue to press their opponents, but Halion and Chalmers both headed wide as Malvern began to accept that it wasn't going to be their day.