MALVERN Town finished the West Midlands League Premier Division season in fifth spot after a 3-0 win at second-placed Gornal Athletic.

Two goals by Dave Reynolds and one from Lee Hooper in the first 14 minutes secured all three points and knocked Gornal down to third.

Malvern started brightly and caught Gornal napping after three minutes when Hooper fed Reynolds, who ran on and lobbed keeper Rich Kennedy.

Two minutes later, Hooper, from just inside his own half, threaded the ball through the defence and Reynolds ran half the length of the pitch and fired past Kennedy.

In the seventh minute, Ben Hayes cut into the box and fired at goal but the keeper managed to grab the ball.

Reynolds’ effort fell to Hooper, who shot, but Kennedy pushed it over the bar.

In the 14th minute, Chris Allen’s long cross found Hooper, whose first shot was parried by Kennedy but he fired the loose ball home.

Gornal’s first attack came in the 26th minute when Greg Corbett volleyed wide.

In the 29th minute, Reynolds received the ball in the box, spun and fired but Kennedy saved well.

Harry Wickett weaved his way through five minutes before half-time and passed to Hooper, whose shot was pushed away by Kennedy.

Hooper’s corner was headed by Reece King but caught by the keeper.

Everyone thought Gornal would come out fighting in the second-half but Malvern’s defence of Aaron Richards, Allen, Dene Whittal-Williams and Wickett and keeper Chas Weaver were all in fine form.

In the 63rd minute, the ball was crossed into their goalmouth but there was no one at the back post to meet it.

The ball was passed to Matt Turner nine minutes later and his half-volley was pushed aside by Kennedy.

Sam Rathbone crossed into the box on 83 minutes but Turner’s shot hit the bar.

Four minutes from time, Town’s second keeper and managing director Chris Pinder came off the bench to replace Weaver.

He pulled off an eye-catching save, tipping Danny Crudgington’s long-range shot onto the bar.

Meanwhile, Division One champions Bromyard Town won 1-0 at Team Dudley, with Richard Smith netting.

They finish their campaign at Shenstone Pathfinders on Saturday (3pm) when they will be presented with the title after immediately bouncing back from relegation.

“We are back in the Premier Division where we belong and will take next season as it comes,” said Bromyard secretary Tony Haverfield.

In Division Two, Powick Rangers lost 2-0 to leaders Kington Town and Malvern Town under 21s fell 2-1 at home to Tipton Youth.

Powick host Warstone Wanderers on Saturday and Town travel to play Red Star Alma (both 3pm).