MALVERN Town had two players sent off in a match of three red cards as they lost 2-0 at Willenhall Town in the West Midlands League Premier Division.

Without Reece King (holiday), Sam Rathbone and Dene Whittal-Williams (injury), Matthew Turner and Aaron Richards (unavailable), and Anthony Smith, Town suffered a fifth defeat in their first six league and cup games.

Malvern midfielder Louis Loader was dismissed for a two-footed tackle in the second-half and Lee Barmy then joined Willenhall’s Alex Carlin in seeing red following a melee.

The visitors, who also had Jamie Smith and Dane Aldington booked in the first period, started on the front foot with Ben Hayes shooting across goal from Dave Reynolds’ cut-back on 14 minutes.

Five minutes later, a Loader free-kick was headed over by forward Lee Hooper.

Although the game was evenly matched, Malvern were unhappy with the refereeing and tempers became frayed.

However, the visitors continued to threaten going forward and Bryan Craven’s ball to the back post from a free-kick early in the second-half was eventually cleared off the line.

However, the ball was played straight up the other end and Matt Dorgan blasted home the opening goal after Ryan Field’s shot hit the post and rebounded kindly.

Keeper James Wilson saved well from Hayes on 50 minutes as Malvern tried to hit back and Reynolds struck the bar with a shot soon after.

Hooper then hit the post from Reynolds’ cross on 62 minutes but the Worcestershire side held on when Willenhall also rattled the bar before keeper Chas Weaver denied substitute Kieran Robinson from the rebound.

Barmby nodded just wide for Malvern but they were reduced to 10 men on 72 minutes when Loader was shown a straight red card for a two-footed tackle.

An off-the-ball incident five minutes from time led to a melee, with Barmby and Carlin joining Loader for an early bath.

Several controversial challenges on keeper Weaver only resulted in one yellow card for Willenhall and the hobbling keeper conceded a second goal in injury-time to Eddie Wynne-Willson, who had weaved his way through the defence.

Malvern under 21s had more joy in Division Two, beating Sikh Hunters 4-3 at the HDanywhere Community Stadium for their first win of the season ahead of Saturday’s home game with Bilbrook (3pm).

Powick Rangers, who were without a game last weekend, entertain Old Wulfrunians at Malvern Vale Community Centre on Saturday (3pm).

Bromyard Town were handed a 5-0 home beating by leaders Haughmond in the Premier Division and visit Willenhall on Tuesday (7.45pm).