DIVISION Two of The Soccer Site Malvern League is proving to be a very close at the top of the table with the lead changing hands almost on a weekly basis, with four teams within three points of each other.

Last Sunday saw Bell Inn 98 return to the top of the table but not before they were given a scare by bottom club Cavalry Arms. With the home side pointless, Bell Inn 98 were probably expecting an easy ride but the first half turned out to be anything but that, with good defending by the whole of the home defence keeping Bell Inn 98 out and Cavalry Arms also having chances at the other end, but half time was reached without the home defence being breached.

Whatever was said by the visitor's manager at half time certainly had an effect and the goals poured in during the second half to give Bell an 8-0 victory. Bell's goals came from Nick Welch, Chris Grubb, Ashley Jones, Anthony Evans, Tim Febery (two) and first ever goals for the club from Leon Roberts and Steve Widdows.

Man of the match was Bell Inn's Dave Haines, who had an outstanding game in the centre of midfield.

The 'team of the month curse' struck again when October's Division Two team of the month Dynamo Ledbury went down 0-2 at home to fellow title chasers Cross Keys. Starting the game in top spot Dynamo had several chances to take the lead but found their forwards having an off day whilst Cross Keys also had chances but were unable to capitalise on them until the 75th minute when Ollie Endacott gave them the lead. With the game swinging from end to end and an equaliser possibly looking on the cards it was Trevor Wargen who made the game safe for Cross Keys in the 88th minute to move the visitors level on points with Dynamo Ledbury.

The other game in this division saw another side chasing the leaders when Madresfield moved to within three points of the three teams above them with a game in hand. But they did not have it all their own way before beating visitors Vauxhall AFC 2-1. Vauxhall actually took the lead from the penalty spot through James Hughes before Ray Pearce equalised for the home side just before half time. The same player made it 2-1 midway through the second half. Vauxhall put up spirited performance but could not snatch an equaliser in what was a well contested game with Madresfield's Adam Morse having an excellent game in midfield.

In Division One, October's team of the month Oak Allstars avoided 'the curse' by simply not having a game!!

Second-placed Bishops Frome took advantage of the leaders inactivity and pulled three points nearer when they comfortably won the 'battle of the Fromes' by defeating visitors Fromes Hill 11-0. Goals came at regular intervals from Dave Gilbert, two apiece for Jason Westmacott and Chris Jefferson and six from Stewart Graham who also missed several gilt edged chances to overtake Jamie James's eight-goal haul the previous week and take over as the highest individual game goalscorer.

In the days only other game Kempsey United A came roaring back from the previous weeks heavy defeat at Oak Allstars to record a resounding 8-1 victory over visitors AFC Grovesnor with goals from Jamie Houston (a 35 yard thunderbolt), Adam Davies, Duncan Playdon, Lee Williams, a goal on his debut from Steve Edwards and a hat-trick from Ryan Leigh with the visitors goal by Anthony O'Neill.

This weekend sees the second round of the Senior Cup with high flying second division sides Cross Keys and Madresfield at home to Kempsey United A and holders Oak All Stars respectfully. The other all first division ties see Bishops Frome at home to Morgan Aero 8 and AFC Grovesnor entertaining Talbot Head.