MALVERN Athletic made two lapses in concentration in the first half of this Midland Combination Division Two League encounter at the New Windmill Ground of title chasers Leamington and suffered the consequences and also lost any chance of picking up points from the game.

LEAMINGTON 2, MALVERN ATHLETIC 0

Starting with the same line up as against Cadbury Athletic on Bank Holiday Monday, Malvern made a bright start pressurising the home side into some hasty clearances in defence. Don Mackenzie had two good flick ons inside the box from throws but no one was available at the back post to capitalise on these chances.

The pitch did make for good passing football the surface very hard and bumpy and full of stones mixed with the sand, that had been put down to soak up recent water.

The home side began to come more into the game and keeper Dave Starkey was called upon to make several good saves before the home side took the lead in the 35th minute.

A long ball into the Malvern half saw Leamington's Jon Burgess back into Malvern's Marc Owen making no attempt to play the ball and Marc Owen was then adjudged to have fouled Burgess by referee Brian Hackleton. The free kick on the edge of Malvern's area was floated into the box and with both Malvern's central defenders ball watching Burgess headed home past the stranded Starkey.

Three minutes later the home side took a two goal lead when Josh Blake headed home from close range after Malvern's defence were guilty of not clearing the ball from the danger zone much earlier. Half time 2-0.

The second half Malvern had the advantage of the slope and slight breeze and this time the mistakes lay fair and square on the midfield and attack. Centre forward Cyril Dowling missed a golden opportunity, blazing his shot wide from eight yards out and then skipper Richard Forde missed an easier chance from the edge of the six yard box firing into the keeper's arms.

Malvern had a good deal of the play and restricted the home side to a few long range chances and also saw Dave Starkey pull off a couple of good saves.

However Leamington appeared happy to sit on the two goal buffer and with Malvern looking very tired the result went with the league title chasers although Malvern could have rescued a point from this game if they had taken the two chances.

Athletic: Starkey, Penney (Cornes 77), Lines, Owen (Jordan 83), Langfield, Mackenzie, Forde, R Brookes, Preece, Dowling, Bird.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern are yet again on their travels to take on Lichfield Enots in a Midland Combination Division Two encounter.

Lichfield have been dragged down into the relegation battle with Malvern Athletic so this game will prove vital to both teams. Danny Kendrick returns to the squad but both Carl Preece and Mark Owen will face fitness tests after sustaining injuries last Saturday.

Squad: Starkey, Owen, Preece, Lines, Penney, Langfield, Mackenzie, Forde, S Brookes, Dowling, Bird, Jordan, Cornes, Llewellyn.