TOWN Reserves travelled 85 miles to the Staffordshire village of Ashbourne and put in a woeful display, losing by one solitary goal to the league's basement side.

ASHBOURNE 1, MALVERN TOWN RES 0

Last season Ashbourne's pitch was the best in the league and by contrast on Saturday it was akin to a ploughed field.

Being a light weight side, Malvern pass well in good conditions but need to learn to know when to boot the ball clear, especially in sticky conditions.

The goal came eight minutes into the second-half following a period of tip-tapping football, which went wrong and led to a needless free-kick 25 yards out. The ball was centred and cleared, but only as far as their left winger who raced through on goal unopposed and fired a shot straight at Tom Smith.

Town's keeper did well to block the shot but was powerless to do anything about Steve King, who followed up and side-footed home from close range.

Adam Simpson and Mark Taylor had good games and if half of the side played with the determination of Mike Oakes, defeats would be few and far between.

Town Reserves are sponsored by Laser Civil Engineering.