MALVERN Town chalked up a commanding county derby victory at Pershore Town in front of a healthy crowd.

The 4-0 win kept Malvern fifth in the West Midlands League Premier Division and Pershore second from bottom.

Harry Clark headed a free-kick just wide as the visitors saw more of the ball in the opening exchanges.

Clark's strike was saved on 13 minutes and it was not long before Malvern went ahead.

A neat passage of play saw them carve open the hosts and Clark strode through before tucking the ball home.

A Pershore strike flew wide on 23 minutes after they found space inside the area.

But then Phil Harris’ long ball forward required the home keeper to clear outside his area as Clark chased.

Pershore started to ask a few questions late in the first half but Malvern were always a threat on the break with Clark going close on a few occasions.

Sharp play from Malvern's Matt Fusco saw him play in Louis Loader who was brought down.

The referee decided it was just outside the area with Loader's free-kick being saved.

Moments later Loader tried his luck from distance and the keeper recovered to save.

But keeper Charlie Weaver did well to keep Pershore at bay as they threatened on a few occasions.

Pershore continued to push for an equaliser in the second half and a low free-kick from ex-Malvern forward Matt Pinder was touched onto the base of the post by Weaver.

After the visitors' Aaron Griffiths was booked for handball, another Pinder free-kick was repelled by the defensive wall.

James Febery's towering header went close for Malvern before they doubled their advantage on 64 minutes.

Young substitute Ethan Moran showed good skill out wide and cut inside to tee up Fusco who lashed home with much aplomb.

The third goal duly arrived from a free-kick by the lively Moran and with 15 minutes to go the same player did well again before guiding the ball home via a deflection.

Malvern co-manager Lee Hooper said: “It was another important three points for us.

“The fact that it was a local derby makes it extra special and we’re still on course to get maximum points from our December fixtures.

“That’s 15 goals from our last three games now. We’re always going to create chances and it’s nice to see four more go in.

“Young Ethan came off the bench and changed the game while the defence can be pleased with another clean sheet.

"Pershore created a few chances but we were never under too much pressure.

“We need to keep winning and buzzing now.

"It’s about staying focused and continuing to do the right things to be able to build on the momentum but for the time being we’ll go into Christmas happy.”

Malvern host Wem Town on Saturday while Pershore visit Smethwick Rangers (both 3pm).