MALVERN ATHLETIC 2, LICHFIELD ENOTS 1

AFTER a three week lay off Malvern Athletic bounced back with another valuable three points in this hard fought encounter against Lichfield Enots.

The visitors started the stronger but Athletic were well organised by Nigel Russell in the back three.

After the opening 15 minutes Malvern came more into the game and the strike force of Cyril Dowling and Richard Bird caused plenty of problems for the visiting defence.

It was against the run of play that Lichfield took the lead in the 31st minute. A long ball out of defence was not cleared and the resulting cross was dispatched at the far post by Tyrone Gwynne.

Malvern Athletic were level within 90 seconds when a cross on the right found Marc Lines who made the best of some bad defending to chest down and knock the ball home past the stranded Enots' keeper.

Athletic had the advantage of a swirling breeze and slope in the second half and in the opening minutes of the half they looked dangerous with the midfield pushing on and causing the visitors to concede several corners.

However Lichfield always looked dangerous on the break and Malvern had to be at their best.

The all important winner came after good work from skipper Julian Langfield who threaded the ball for Marc Lines to volley home from 25 yards, the ball crashing against the cross bar and down in to the net.

The last 20 minutes saw Lichfield pile forward looking for the equaliser and only some desperate defending kept them at bay, the whole team relieved to hear the final whistle.

Malvern Athletic: Starkey, Penney, Russell, Owen, Langfield, Lines (Jordan 77), Mackenzie, Forde, Brookes, Bird, Dowling. Subs not used: Kendrick, Llewellyn.

This Saturday Athletic travel to bottom placed team Kenilworth Wardens knowing that three points from this game will be a great cushion between Athletic and Kenilworth.

With County Sport Reserves losing last Saturday Malvern now move five points clear of the Worcester-based side although they have games in hand over Malvern, so Athletic must pick up points from these bottom of the table clashes.

Manager Phil Llewellyn will be without midfielder Don Mackenzie and keeper Dave Starkey who are away on Fire Service training. Andrew Cornes who was missing last week will come into fill the goalkeeper position and Llewellyn may ask for permission to play Simon Brookes from Bromyard Town. Simon who is still registered with Malvern Athletic left last November to sign for Bromyard Town. However with the striker injuring his ribs before Christmas and the foot and mouth problems in the county he has played little football over the past few months.

Squad: Cornes, Penney, Russell, Owen, Langfield, Lines, Forde, Richard Brookes, Dowling, Bird, Jordan, Kendrick, Simon Brookes, Llewellyn.