MALVERN Town visited second in the West Midlands Premier Division table Tipton Town last Saturday and made it a magnificent seven wins on the trot with a 1-2 victory.

TIPTON TOWN 1, MALVERN TOWN 2

Malvern took the game to Tipton in the early stages but the first shot on goal came in the 16th minute when skipper Dean Roberts shot straight at the keeper from just outside the box.

Malvern continued to press and on 25 minutes took a deserved lead when a long clearance by Melvyn Watson in the Malvern goal was picked up by John Wordsey in the Tipton defence. Under pressure he tried to find goalkeeper Gary Price only for Billy Davis to intercept and finish clinically just inside the post.

Tipton were dangerous on the break and Watson had to move smartly on a couple of occasions to deny the eager home forwards.

Malvern were playing some delightful football and Gary Price brilliantly blocked a thunderbolt from Craig Williams and then dived to palm away a Des Cox shot from the second ball.

On the stroke of half time an injury to the classy Billy Davis made way for new signing Luke Willetts and it didn't take him long to settle in and his strength and pace caused the home side problems. This paid dividends in the 70th minute when, after being put through by the busy Rik Halion, Willetts superbly chipped the advancing Price to give his side a two goal cushion.

Malvern took their foot off the pedal for a while after this and Tipton started to get back into the game. They twice came close but Town's defence held firm until two minutes from time when they failed to clear their lines and Tipton's Craig Mansell hit a terrific shot just inside the post past the unsighted Watson to reduce the arrears.

Tipton continued to press for the equaliser but Malvern played out time to return home with three hard earned points.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern play hosts to Bustleholme in an Express & Star Premier Division game at Langland Stadium. Kick off 2.45 pm.

Bustleholme surprised high-riding Ledbury Town last Saturday with a 3-1 home victory.

Malvern Town Reserves entertained high flying Blackheath Town and were rewarded with a fine 2-1 victory with goals from Barry Hughes and youngster Mike Cole. Blackheath had only previously lost two of their 14 league games to date.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern Town Reserves are due to play Chaddesley Corbett in a Division One South fixture with the game scheduled for an earlier kick off time of 1.45pm.

MALVERN Town's much-awaited Boxing Day league clash with Ledbury Town at Langland Stadium was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.