FURIOUS Malvern Town manager Chris Palmer has called for a reaction from his players on Saturday after his side suffered a second successive Aspire Midland Alliance home defeat.

Town, who fell 2-1 at home to Shifnal Town last weekend, travel to third-from-bottom Friar Lane and Epworth (3pm) searching for their first away league win of the campaign.

Palmer revealed he held clear-the-air talks with his players after the final whistle in an attempt to address their recent slump.

Defender Mark Brookes is unavailable on Saturday, while strikers Alex Taffe (broken thumb) and Stuart Gates (toe) are also absent.

But experienced defender Dave Cannon returns after an illness.

Palmer said: “The Shifnal game was a shambles. Hopefully, there will be a reaction.”

Westfields have a tough task at high-flying Stratford Town in the Alliance on Saturday (3pm).

Fields saw off Friar Lane and Epworth 4-1 last weekend with Daryl Addis bagging a brace.

Other fixtures, Midland Combination Premier Division: Pelsall Villa v Pershore Town (3pm).

Division Two: Droitwich Spa Res v Knowle Res (2pm).

Reserve Division: Bromsgrove Rovers v Oadby Town (3pm).

West Midlands League Premier Division: Bloxwich United AFC v Bewdley Town; Dudley Sports v Bromyard Town; Ledbury Town v Oldbury Athletic; Wellington v Wolverhampton Casuals (all 3pm).

Division One: Malvern Town Res v AFC Wombourne United (3pm).

Division Two: Tenbury United v Malvern Rangers (3pm).

Worcestershire FA Junior Cup second round: Archdales 73 v Droitwich Spa; Areley Kings v Wyre Forest; Bredon v Littleton; Burlish Olympic Youth v Feckenham; Evesham United ‘A’ v Pershore Town Res; Inkberrow v Fairfield Villa; KS Athletic v Cookley; Perrywood v Tenbury United (all 2pm).

Minor Cup second round: Broadway United v Three Crowns United; GDL v Hallow WMC; Golden Lion v Martley Spurs; Littleton v Archdales 73; Perrywood v Badsey Rangers; Powick v Badsey United; VBL Sports v Bredon Res; West Hagley v Tenbury Town (all 2pm).