THE season may only be six games old but already Malvern Town and Stourport Swifts find themselves at the wrong end of the table.

Malvern are bottom of Southern League Division One Midlands with a single point, while Swifts are only two points better off.

But they have endured contrasting fortunes of late as they prepare to meet at Walshes Meadow on Saturday (3pm).

Phil Mullen's Swifts have conceded nine goals in their last two league games and were beaten 2-1 by Evesham in the Errea Cup on Tuesday.

Malvern, however, are gaining in confidence after gleaning their first point from a 1-1 home draw against Bedworth United on Saturday.

Town also won 1-0 at Stourbridge in the Errea Cup in mid-week with Gary Walker on target.

Manager Paul Molloy said: "We have had some desperate decisions given against us so I knew it was going to come good for us.

"We have something to build on and we have just got to go on a bit of a run now.

"I know the season has only just started but tomorrow is already a six-pointer. We have got to go to try and win the game."

Swifts boss Mullen, meanwhile, feels his side are doing the club a disservice.

He said: "In football you are judged by results and this club is run by some very good people and we are letting them down at the moment.

"We are making every effort to change that but how long they will let this continue is out of my hands.

"Although we lost on Tuesday night the performance was a lot better and it was a step in the right direction.

"Saturday is a big game because we are both at the wrong end of the table, both in need of the points and it is a local derby."

Mullen is hopeful striker Craig Marshall will have recovered from an knee injury, but Alex Lavery (ankle) is out and skipper Mark Wolsey serves the final match of a three-game ban.

Malvern will be without midfielder Adam Beresford (ankle ligaments) but Danny Harding-Hall should be fit to partner Andy Widdowson, signed from Archdales 73, up front.