JOINT-BOSS Lee Hooper was a happy man after seeing his Malvern Town side chalk up a 2-0 victory over Shawbury United at the HDanywhere Community Stadium.

Charlie Weaver saved an early penalty from Liam Taylor before James Febery netted the opener on 42 minutes with a fine strike from distance.

Joshua Hunt then secured maximum points for Town when he struck with seven minutes remaining of the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division encounter.

“We played really well, especially in the second half,” Hooper said.

“Charlie kept us in it with some good saves in the opening period and after he saved the penalty we didn’t look back and were worthy winners in the end.

“We got in behind them on several occasions after the break and could have won by a bigger margin, but they are a decent side so we are delighted to get the three points and a clean sheet.”

Febery added: “I don’t score that often, so it was nice to see it go in.

“It was more luck really as I just hit it and it flew into the top corner.

“We didn’t play so well in the first half and we had a bit of a talking to at half-time, but we came out well after the break and they didn’t get a look-in.”

It was a lively start by both sides with Kyle Williams having an effort saved for the visitors before Curtis Smith saw his shot deflected just wide.

Shawbury were awarded a penalty on six minutes when Jack Hickman went down inside the area only for Weaver to deny Taylor.

Just past the half-hour mark Weaver had to be alert again as he pushed away Taylor’s rasping effort.

The opening goal arrived three minutes before the break as Febery fired home with a powerful drive from long range that gave the keeper no chance.

Town started the second half playing some nice football and a raid down the right ended with Curtis Smith’s cross finding Hunt but he snatched at his shot.

There were shouts for a penalty when Aaron Griffiths’ burst into the area saw him brought to the floor, but the referee was unimpressed.

On 61 minutes a great strike from distance by Hunt produced a great save from Tom Delamere.

A foul on Hunt gave Malvern a free-kick in a good position that was dragged just wide by Louis Loader.

The visitors blocked shots from Matt Turner and Peter Smith as the clock ticked down while a deft header from Clark landed just wide of the target.

Malvern were able to double our advantage on 83 minutes when a break a pace involving Turner and Clark saw the ball find Hunt who was able to fire home from inside the area.

Hunt saw a close range header clawed away by the keeper as the hosts ended the game on top to secure a hard-earned three points.

Malvern Town: Weaver, C Smith, Griffiths, A Sauntson, J Sauntson, Febery, Clark (Griffin 88), Webb (Loader 63), Hunt, Lane (Turner 75), P Smith. Not used: Fusco, Watkins.

Town visit Dudley Town on Wednesday (7.45pm).