MALVERN Athletic slipped into the relegation zone with this solitary goal defeat at Chelmsley Town in this Midland combination Division Two encounter.

CHELMSLEY TOWN 1, MALVERN ATHLETIC 0

The game started 15 minute late as the referee was not happy with the goal nets, this meant that the game was finished in near darkness, the referee Mr Hyde only playing 35 seconds of injury time when the home trainer had been on the pitch several times during the second half.

Malvern manager Phil Llewellyn had signed on striker Wayne Elcock before the game to boost the attack with the departure of Simon Brookes to Bromyard Town. Elcock had been registered with the club last season but his games were restricted due to his professional boxing commitments.

The game started with the young home side looking to use the full extent of the big playing area and Malvern were forced to defend in depth and not very well. It came as no surprise when the took the lead in the 16th minute after a good move from the left wing, the Malvern defence allowed the Chelmsley centre forward to slip the ball home under the advancing Dave Starkey at the far post.

After the slow start Malvern work up and came more into the game and the rest of the half the asserted pressure but never really created any clear cut chances. Julian Langfield and Richard Ford were working well in midfield but Athletic were not rewarded. Half time 0-1.

The second half was a very dour show with the home side creating most of the chances but two poor shots and two good saves from Dave Starkey were about all the highlights of the second half.

Athletic were sadly lacking in any type of fire power and Rob Perrins and Wayne Elcock were well marshalled by the home defence and the home keeper was never really tested during the second period.

Malvern Athletic have now gone five games without a point and it is hard to see over the next few games where they will get any points from with this continued performance.

Athletic: Starkey, Penney, Lines, Russell, Owen, Jordan (May 75), Langfield, Ford Elcock, Perrins (Llewellyn 85), Cornes.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern Athletic travel to take on Enville Athletic in a Midland Combination Division Two League match with a 2pm kick off and on Boxing Day (December 26) they will entertain Archdales at Victoria playing fields in a league encounter with a 11.30am kick off.