MALVERN Town bounced back with a 3-1 home win over basement boys Shifnal Town in the West Midlands League Premier Division.

After a 6-0 beating by Gornal Athletic the previous weekend when Chas Weaver was injured in goal early on, the keeper made a quick return.

Summer signings Dan Herbert, Bryan Craven and Sam Rathbone were all on the scoresheet against winless Shifnal.

Malvern threatened after only five minutes when Matt Turner burst onto Herbert's header and into the box but fired wide.

Five minutes later, the hosts were forced into a substitution with Rathbone coming on for the injured James Lush.

But Rathbone played a role in the opening goal on 17 minutes, beating his defender and crossing for Turner to head back to Herbert, who volleyed home from the edge of the box.

The lead was increased three minutes later when Malvern earned a free-kick just outside the box and Craven’s set-piece flew into the roof of the net.

Turner nodded just over before Rathbone created more chaos after having a shot blocked and Craven's 18-yard follow-up was pushed wide by Luke Kriskinans.

The Shifnal keeper then saved a 38th-minute free-kick from Herbert.

But Malvern made it 3-0 three minutes before half-time with a superb ball from Herbert to Rathbone, who ran on and fired into the net.

The HDanywhere Community Stadium hosts failed to add to their tally in the second period.

The fit-again Weaver pulled off a fine save from Chris Henry's low effort just a minute after the break.

Craven and Kirk Layton fired shots off target, while Weaver was called upon to make another useful stop.

Seven minutes from time, Shifnal reduced the lead when Henry slotted home a cross at the back post.

But Malvern almost had the final say when Rathbone blasted over from Sam Daffin's right-wing run and cross.

Town's under 21s won 5-1 at Wolverhampton United in Division Two, while Powick Rangers drew 2-2 at Sikh Hunters.

The under 21s host Oakengates Athletic on Saturday (3pm).

Leaders Bromyard Town thrashed Hanwood United 7-2 in Division One.