MALVERN Town provided a guard of honour to congratulate West Midlands League Premier Division champions Haughmond before thrashing them 5-0.

Town gained revenge for a 4-0 away defeat just before Christmas and now go into Saturday's home game with Wolverhampton Sporting Community (3pm) who they are chasing for second spot.

In the first minute against Shrewsbury-based Haughmond Matt Pinder crossed to Lewis Platt whose shot was blocked and Malvern appealed for handball but nothing was given.

A 13th-minute free-kick by Dave Reynolds from just outside the area went inches over.

But Malvern took the lead in the 19th minute at the HDanywhere Community Stadium.

A corner found Nathan Hayward whose shot fell to Platt and he crossed back to Hayward who sweetly dispatched a volley from around 18 yards.

Malvern increased their lead in the 32nd minute when Platt connected with another volley which cannoned off the crossbar and into the net.

A third volley found the net in the 51st minute when Harry Wickett scored from the edge of the box after Platt's pass from Louis Loader's free-kick.

Two minutes later there was a slight melee near the corner flag and the referee consulted his assistant before showing Haughmond player Dave Howells a straight red card for violent conduct.

Now up against 10 men with a three-goal advantage Reynolds turned and fired goalwards but keeper Sam Jones saved on 55 minutes.

The visitors' best chance was missed six minutes later when Adam Davies headed Matt Owen's cross just wide.

Matt Turner's back-heel picked out Max Kontic-Coveney who fired across goal for Malvern in the 67th minute.

A minute later Platt threaded the ball through to Reynolds who fired home the hosts' fourth goal.

In the 86th minute Reynolds chipped from 35 yards out but Jones caught the ball on his line.

But in time added on top scorer Reynolds weaved his way through and fired in his second goal to round off only Haughmond's third league defeat of the season.