HEADLESS Cross were the sharper of the two sides in the first half of this Under 18's Worcester Infirmary Cup tie.

MALVERN TOWN 3, HEADLESS CROSS 2 (aet)

Time and again their strikers got goal side of Town's defence and it came as no surprise when first Dean Witic scored and then Dan Wakefield doubled their lead.

Things did not look good for Town and they were in real danger of losing for the first time this season. Goalie Ian Hill pulled off a couple of good saves and Dale Humphries cleared one off the line to save Town slipping further behind.

Alec Smith, together with the mercurial John Fletcher, combined well in midfield with Will Murtagh and the strong running Mark Amott. It was Murtagh who put Edward Lyons into space with a good through ball and Lyons made no mistake with his shot. Five minutes later the same pair repeated their play to allow Town to draw level and take the initiative.

As the game went into extra time Town pressed forward and won a corner. Graham Thomas met the ball at the near post and headed the ball on to Lyons who toe-poked it home for a well deserved hat-trick.