THE new British Gas Business Division One Midlands season hasn’t even started and alre-ady Malvern Town are facing up to a relegation battle.

And the prospect of entertaining AFC Sudbury on Saturday (3pm) is hardly the ideal start to the season either.

The Langland Stadium side endured a torrid last campaign, finishing second from bottom with just 18 points from 40 games and three wins to their name.

Only the pre-season withdrawal of Slimbridge, leaving just one relegation place, ultimately saved Malvern from the drop with Berkhamsted Town going down.

It is difficult to see how things can improve over the next nine months and manager Joe Rawle knows it is going to be a challenge to keep their heads above water.

“With the budget we have got the aim is to survive to be honest. We are starting off with the players I finished with last season,” he said. “It’s still going to be a long, hard season and we are looking to avoid relegation from day one and anything else that comes along is a bonus.”

Malvern have had six warm-up matches but have not played since the 4-1 defeat by Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division Two side Smiths Athletic 10 days ago.

Manager Rawle said: “We could have done with one more tougher game at a higher standard. The only two real testing ones were Evesham and Gloucester. We lost 5-0 to Evesham but drew 0-0 with Gloucester.”

Sudbury have been switched from Isthmian Division One North, a league they finished runners-up in before losing to Canvey Island in the play-offs.

The Suffolk side also have a fine FA Vase pedigree having reached three consecutive finals in recent years.

Rawle added: “I don’t know anything about them apart from the fact over the years they have always been a strong side in the FA Vase. They will be a decent side and they will be keen with it being the first game.”