A CRACKING game at Victoria Park last Sunday saw Malvern Radar take on Worcester League division one league leaders, Bedwardine.

MALVERN RADAR 3, BEDWARDINE 4

Radar welcomed back Nial Henderson after his 12-month trip round the world and also Simon Rea for his first Radar game for a number of years. Joe Davis also debuted after a few years away from the game.

It was nip and tuck throughout with Radar pegging back Bedwardine three times. The visitors started on the attack and only last-ditch challenges from Duane Wills and Clive Churchill prevented them taking the lead. They could do nothing to prevent the opening goal when Chris Doyle received the ball on the edge of the box and placed a great shot into the top corner of the Radar net.

The home side slowly got back into the game with Henderson and Rea getting into their stride and following a scramble in the six yard box the ball somehow end up in the Bedwardine net for what appeared to be an own goal, Jason Lloyd claimed he had the last Radar touch.

The scores were level for only a minute with Chris Newman turning swiftly and scored with a well-placed low shot past Steve Green in the Radar goal who then did well to grab Doyle's snap-shot under the cross bar. Radar almost levelled right on half-time when Davis squared the ball to Henderson, who just failed to get a touch.

The home side equalised on the hour. A corner was only partially cleared to Darren Loader some 20 yards out and he blasted the ball first time into the top corner.

There was certainly no quarter given by either team and the ref was kept busy handing out lectures and cards.

The skilful Grant Gibbs then twisted and turned in the box and gave Bedwardine the lead again only for Henderson to make it 3-3 scoring from close range after keeper Addis failed to hold Loader's free-kick.

The deciding goal came with 15 minutes to go from the penalty spot when Hooper went down in the area and despite some protests, Gibbs stayed calm and scored from the spot. Radar pushed for a share of the points with two late efforts cleared off the line.

This Sunday Radar are at home to St Johns, meet 9.45am Victoria Park.