13/10/01 - Four for Thomas as Town hit six

MALVERN TOWN 6, BUSTLEHOLME 0

In a first half Town never really got into into their stride, but they still proved far too strong for the visitors and held a commanding three goal lead at the interval.

Neil Mogford was the first to strike for Malvern when he outpaced the visiting defence and slipped the ball past the goalkeeper. Matt Upton kept Malvern in the ascendancy after 25 minutes when he sprung the off side trap, before rounding the unprotected goalkeeper and slotting home.

Chris Thomas then began his one man show when he fired in an excellent effort after 37 minutes, to leave the Malvern supporters thoughts turning to how many Town were going to clock up before the end of the ninety minutes.

They did not have to wait long when virtually at the start of the second half, Keith Holmans and Steve Walker combined to set up Thomas who expertly lobbed the goalkeeper from just inside the area.

In the 56th minute Thomas made it five with an excellent solo effort and rounded off an excellent afternoon's work when Holmans, this time in conjunction with Mark Brooks, set up Thomas for his fourth and Town's sixth strike of the afternoon in the 72nd minute.

Town might have added more during the second period. Phil Slade missed a point blank header and Mark Brooks was denied by the keeper when a goal looked inevitable, the returning Mark Tipton suffered a similar fate and was then unlucky to see a fine header come back off the underside of the bar.

Matt Upton might have added to his score, but was denied by a brilliant save from an excellent header.

Town assistant manager Richard Anson said: "In all honesty, we were a bit lethargic at times, but it was good to see that we were still able to finish off an admittedly poor side.

"Having said that Chris Thomas is in a rich vein of form and was outstanding today."

Town: Alden, Higgins, Walker, Clayton (Davies), Damore, Mogford, Brooks, Holmans (Ward), Thomas, Slade (Tipton), Upton.