MALVERN Town's scheduled WFA Senior Urn final against Alvechurch, due to be played at Kidderminster Harriers' Aggborough Stadium on Wednesday night, was postponed after a late afternoon deluge flooded the pitch.

A new date has still to be arranged at the time of going to press, but supporters are urged to keep an eye out for local press announcements, ring the club on 01684 574068, or check out the club's website at www.thisismtfc.co.uk for up to date announcements.

Just as it looked as though Malvern's Express and Star West Midlands League premier division title hopes were receding, Town got a double boost this week. The Langland Stadium was considered to have met the MFA grading criteria and although the Tipton Leisure Centre, home of title rivals Tipton Town was also considered acceptable by MFA officials, title favourites Tipton received a serious set back when they went down 2-0 to lowly Smethwick ST on Wednesday night.

The result means Tipton still sit two points behind Malvern, but with a game in hand.

The upshot of all this is that even if Tipton beat an in-form Ledbury side on Saturday and Malvern defeat local rivals Bromyard in their final league fixture next Tuesday (7.45), Tipton will still have to win their final game at home to Market Drayton next Saturday (May 15) to secure the title.

If Tipton only draw with Ledbury on Saturday, a Malvern victory at Bromyard will secure the title and a defeat for Tipton on Saturday will see Town needing only a draw at Bromyard to achieve the same, given Malvern's superior goal difference.

Town general manager Richard Anson: "It is incredible what can happen in just a few hours. At 5pm on Wednesday we were all pretty down about the Urn final being postponed, but just five hours later when news of Tipton's defeat came through the mood had altered completely.

"The title is still in their hands of course, but how they react to this defeat will be the acid test and whatever happens it has been an absorbing contest which is now going to go to the wire and I wouldn't bet against there being another twist in the tail yet," he said.

Despite all the understandable distractions, Town have a cup to contest at Pershore tomorrow (Saturday) when Malvern play Feckenham in the final of the Worcester Royal Infirmary Cup (6pm).

Town will be without brothers Duncan and Phil Preedy, who are both cup-tied, but boss Neil Hunt selects from: Alden, Moss, Williams, Chalmers, Clayton, Cannon, Hooper, Smith, Owen, Roberts, Cox, Baldwin, Morris, Halion, Jukes, Thomas and Fryer.

Hunt said: "This game was always important, but although the midweek results went for us, the Urn final postponement was a bit disappointing, so we are keen to lift the trophy on Saturday to ensure we achieve something this season."