MALVERN Town opened their Midland Alliance campaign with a comprehensive victory over last season's runners-up, Chasetown.

MALVERN TOWN 3, CHASETOWN 1

The home side started strongly and in the 12th minute, Phil Preedy wriggled clear of the defence but shot across the face of the goal.

It was Chasetown who came close to scoring when a Wells' cross deceived goalkeeper Wyatt and struck the cross-bar. Darren Bullock then thwarted Ball as he attempted to force home the rebound.

With the Malvern back four of Chalmers, Tomkins, Kieney and Burrows playing well as a unit, the visitors failed to breach the defence again in the remainder of the first half.

Malvern took a deserved lead in the 30th minute when Rik Halion latched onto a Bullock pass. He ran at the Chasetown defence before letting fly with a superb 20-yard shot that flew into the top corner.

With Bullock, Wittington and Halion in charge in the midfield, it came as no surprise when Town increased their lead just before half-time.

Shepherd found Bullock to set up Des Cox, who vollied home from 12 yards.

Ten minutes into the second half, Chasetown pulled a goal back. Following a corner, Bullimore's first effort was blocked on the line but he reacted first to head in the rebound.

Malvern upped the pace and it took just three minutes for them to restore their two-goal advantage.

Halion's through-ball saw Phil Preedy nip in front of a defender and lob the ball over the keeper.

As Malvern dictated play, a Halion effort was cleared off the line, a Preedy header was well-saved by keeper Bryan, Cox blazed over the bar and Shepherd had a good strike denied by Bryant.

Manager Neil Hunt was delighted with the team's effort and said that he had made another major signing, beating a number of clubs to gain the services of former Worcester City striker Mark Owen.