MALVERN Town turned in a solid performance to take all three points against fellow high flyers Bandon on Saturday in the Bank's Brewery Premier league at Langland Stadium.

MALVERN TOWN FC 3, BANDON 1

Malvern, sponsored by Clarke Roxburgh Insurance Brokers Limited, included new signing Simon Brian from Dr Marten League outfit Evesham United in their starting line up, but talented midfielder Joe Maidment was missing due to work commitments. Simon Judge returned to the bench after missing Town's midweek victory over Bustleholme due to injury and also on the bench was Chris Thomas who has returned after a short spell with Pershore Town.

Malvern opened strongly and went close on their first attack when Simon Brain tested Bandon keeper Lee Horne with a stinging shot and then Darren Tafft turned his marker before shooting just wide.

Town opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Tafft played a superb ball out to Simon Brain wide on the right and with Horne off his line the striker thundered a brilliant shot over his head from 30 yards out.

Malvern's lead lasted just two minutes, Bandon were awarded a hotly disputed penalty when Cotterill was adjudged to have pushed Darren Spittle in the box and Dave Edwards had little difficulty in converting the spot kick to equalise.

Malvern stepped up after this, with Steve Walker and Mark Brookes dominating midfield, and they took the lead for the second time on 37 minutes when a ball in from Brain was knocked on by Scott Morris to Darren Tafft to slot home.

The second half opened with Malvern going straight onto the attack and Morris went close with a first time effort that dipped just over the bar after Steve Walker had played him through.

Bandon were looking much sharper and Dave Edwards saw his cross shot go just wide of the upright, and than Lowe made a timely tackle on Taylor to clear the danger.

Back came Malvern and John Wade fired wide after a persistent run and straight after keeper Horne did well to block a Tafft shot.

Manager Joe Rawle made a double substitution on 79 minutes with Simon Judge and Chris Thomas replacing John Wade and Scott Morris and within six minutes the move paid off when Judge made ground down the Bandon left before crossing low into the box where Darren Tafft was on hand to slot the ball past Horne to increase the Town's advantage.

Team: Sanders, Bastock, Lowe, Cotterill, Brookes, Walker, Clayton, (Higgins 87), Brain, Tafft, Morris (Judge 79), Wade (Thomas 79).

Tomorrow (Saturday) Malvern travel to oppose Brierley Hill Town in a Bank's Brewery Premier League game. Kick off 3p.m.

Barring injuries, Malvern's squad will be: Sanders, Bastock, Lowe, Cotterill, Brookes, Walker, Clayton, Brain, Tafft, Morris, Wade, Judge, Thomas, Higgins and Maidment.