MALVERN Vale Firsts signed off their 2018 home schedule with a 6-1 beating of Dowty Dynamos Reserves in Cheltenham League Division Three.

The leaders conquered tricky conditions after overnight frost followed by persistent rain in the afternoon.

Vale went ahead on two minutes when a mix-up saw a Dowty defender fire into his own net under pressure from winger Mig Passaro.

Just three minutes later Nick Jones shot a low 30-yard drive past keeper Clint North into the bottom corner.

Stand-in skipper Mario Vieira, taking over with captain Jay Jones suspended and Andre Rodridgues away, then curled an effort into the far corner from just outside the box with North rooted to the spot.

It was only eight more minutes before Passaro finished his one-on-one past North after a neat passing move.

After four goals in just 17 minutes Vale eased back and Dowty's Elliot Green hit the post from just three yards with keeper Marcin Celmer exposed.

One of the best moves of the season from Vale followed with Anthony Cakebread, Jones, Passaro and Matt Strangwood all involved resulting in Vieira half-volleying the ball from the edge of the area but North saved well.

With three minutes to the interval Strangwood picked up the ball inside the box and hammered an effort into the far corner.

New signing Adam Clay and the returning Edgar Sanha were introduced for Vale at half-time.

Despite Vale cruising and the conditions worsening Clay created several openings down the right.

On 60 minutes a Strangwood effort was saved by North but Clay was on hand to fire home Vale's sixth.

Four minutes later Green jinked past Jordan Richards in the Vale area and went down with the penalty providing a consolation for 10th-placed Dowty.

Vale's last game of the year is at Leckhampton Rovers on Saturday.

Welland Reserves return to action at Southside Star Reserves.

Malvern Cave's Division Four game was controversially abandoned seven minutes from time because of the conditions despite them boasting a healthy lead over Tewkesbury Athletic.

Matthew Mcintosh scored a hat-trick with two from Ralph N'dongo and one from Toby Boswell.

Malvern Vale Reserves were held 3-3 at home by Pittville United Reserves with Ashley Dallow, Frederick Harrison and Kieran Kinsella on target.

Cave visit Cheltenham Saracens Reserves on Saturday while Vale go to FC Lakeside Reserves.

Second-placed Upton Town hope to return to Division One action at Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves and Hanley Swan host Fintan.

Welland thrashed Taverners 9-0 to go up to sixth spot in Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One.