TOWN Reserves played some of their worst football in the opening 45 minutes and with it threw away any chance they had of winning this game.

MALVERN TOWN RES 2, SPORTING KHALSA 4

Town actually had the first opportunity when Rich Tompkins delivered a good cross which was headed from the far post back to the near post and Adam Simpson was inches wide with his header.

With ten minutes gone, Sporting Khalsa worked the ball down the right wing and crossed for Paul Jones, who was totally unmarked and he had the easiest of jobs side-footing home.

For a few minutes Town responded with some flowing football which involved Dan Finnigan, Ollie Endacott and Craig Williams and saw the latter fire straight at the visiting keeper. Endacott was instrumental in Town's equaliser as he drew two defenders to the near post, leaving Finnigan free on the far post to drive home Mark Goodman's cross.

For the remainder of the half Town went to sleep and allowed Sporting Khalsa to dominate play. A poor back-pass between two Town players allowed Jones to race through and side-foot past Tom Smith.

Four minutes later, whilst several Town players stood watching, Leon Brown had a free shot at goal making it 1-3. Just before half-time another series of errors in midfield saw Ed Smith nip through and round Smith for number four.

Acting manager Les Jones had some harsh words for the players and this appeared to have the right effect when the teams resumed play. New signing Marian Malcak found Goodman, who laid the ball off to Endacott and the striker rounded the keeper before finding the back of the net.

Whilst Malvern went on to dominate the second-half, Sporting Khalsa played safe by packing their defence and nullified Town's efforts for the rest of the match.

Town Reserves are sponsored by Malvern Instruments and Laser Civil Engineering.