A SOLITARY strike in the 10th minute was enough to condemn Malvern Town to defeat against Brierley Hill and Hagley in the Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division at the Langland Stadium on Saturday.

MALVERN TOWN 0, BRIERLEY HILL & HAGLEY 1

In a game that Town dominated from start to finish, it was hard to believe that their higher-placed visitors went away with all three points.

To list the chances that Town squandered would take up several pages but, suffice to say, despite the hard working efforts of their visitors, Malvern had only themselves to blame for not turning their superiority into goals.

As early as the first minute Wes Joyce and Rick Halion should have scored, and so it went on.

Joyce, Dean Roberts, Chris Thomas and Adam Ward, who had a goal disallowed, constantly tormented the visiting defence, for who Andy Japp was outstanding, but Town could have played all night and not have scored, such was their luck and lack of prowess on the day.

All in all, it was the most frustrating of afternoons for Malvern, but although there was no doubting who was the better side it was the visitors who had the last laugh.

Malvern Town will play Dr Martens Western Division Evesham United in a friendly at the Langland Stadium tomorrow (Tuesday, March 5) kick-off is 7.45pm.