Malvern crash in second period (From Ledbury Reporter)

Malvern crash in second period

1:00pm Thursday 24th November 2011 in Football

A GOAL in first-half injury-time set the tone for the second period as Malvern Town went down 4-0 at Worcestershire rivals Bewdley Town in the West Midlands League Premier Division.

The visitors produced a bright display in the opening 45 minutes with keeper Ian Hill dominating his box and acting as sweeper.

Malvern did everything but score with Paul Edwards firing just wide on 10 minutes.

After 32 minutes, Rob Cullen played the ball to Anthony Smith who shot over.

Eight minutes later, Cullen crossed to Oliver Endacott but his shot was deflected, making the shot easy to catch for former Kidderminster Harriers keeper Darren Steadman.

But, in first-half injury-time, Simon Rudd’s centre hit Malvern’s Joe Leighton on the top of the head and fell to Rob Orme who fired home.

The first goal deflated Malvern and raised Bewdley as the second-half saw a role reversal of the first.

Richard Burgess twice hit the post with Hill grabbing the rebound on the second occasion.

Malvern brought on their substitutes but were unable to change matters and, in the 65th minute, Rudd crossed for Chris Hough to score the second goal.

Endacott’s shot was pushed away by Steadman but soon after it was 3-0 when another ball down the right was played to unmarked substitute Ollie Smith who made no mistake.

In injury-time, the ball was played across Malvern’s goal and hit defender Andrew Fletcher to loop up over Hill and into the net.