THIS eagerly awaited local WFA Saturday Junior Cup encounter drew the imagination of a sizeable 150-plus crowd.

MALVERN RANGERS 0, POWICK 1

However, expectation were not really realised as with little goal-mmouth action to keep either keeper busy.

The game was settled by a second-half penalty scored by Dale Humphries. But, in reality, Powick deserved their victory, if only for the fact that they showed far greater commitment than Rangers.

The most noticeable attempts in the first 45 minutes were a long- range shot from Dean Drinkwater which went wide of Ross Sanders' post, while at the other end Sam Black made a strong run into the box without the end result.

The most significant area of the pitch, the midfield area, was won by the Powick players in the shape of James Abba, Jamie Badham and Lee Henderson because they were committed to the cause.

The introduction of Bryan Craven early in the second-half turned the game in Powick's favour. He worked his way into the box and tempted Tim Clarke into a challenge which, while there was minimum contact, was sufficient intent to warrant the resultant penalty 15 minutes into the second half.

Dean Drinkwater looked intent on taking the kick but Dale Humphries took the penalty and confidently sent Ross Sanders the wrong way.

While Rangers had plenty of time left to rescue the position, they didn't really threaten the visitors' goal and, at the final whistle, the Powick players' delight was evident to be seen.