MALVERN Town's first pre-season friendly was a highly-satisfactory affair, as Town ran out comprehensive victors against their Midland Combination Premier Division neighbours.

PERSHORE TOWN 0, MALVERN TOWN 5

Town were always in control against a home side who included former Malvern favourites Sean Cotterill, Adam Ward and Joe Maidment in their line up.

And it came as no surprise when they took the lead after 20 minutes.

A flowing move down the right led to Lee Hoopers cross being met powerfully by Rik Halion, whose far post header gave the home goal-

keeper no chance.

Just five minutes later, Malvern extended their lead in almost identical faishon, this time it was a corner from Lee Goodman that again found Haslion unmarked at the far post and made no mistake with his header.

With Town now rampant, only the post prevented Dean Roberts and Luke Willetts from putting them further in front.

But a third goal duly arrived in the 35th minute when Goodman, who had an outstanding first 45 minutes, capitalised on a poor back pass to clamly round the beleagured Pershore 'keeper and slot home from an acute angle.

The second period became a little disjointed as Town boss Neil Hunt ensured that all of his 20-man squad got a a fair slice of the action but it did not prevent Malvern from adding to the score.

A fourth goal came courtesy of a brilliant Roberts strike in the 54th minute and in the 78th minute, Dave Cannon powerfully side footed home from a Gary Smith corner to secure a rare goal for himself and Malvern' fifth and final strike of the afternoon.

On an afternoon where there were a number of good individual performances, newcomers Adam Baldwin and Scott Morris both showed enough to indicate that they will be valuable additions to Town's squad.

After the game, Town general manager Richard Anson said: "The new lads fitted in well and everyone looked fit and hungry."

Meanwhile, there is no first team game next Saturday.