MALVERN Town won 6-3 at Cirencester Town Development but made harder work of the Hellenic League Division One West game than the scoreline suggests.

In driving rain Malvern took the lead with their first raid as James Febery’s long ball was flicked on by Harry Clark into the path of Matt Turner who fired home.

The visitors doubled their advantage on 13 minutes when a probing run from Clark saw him initially crowded out before he hit the base of the post with a strike and then crossed for Turner to head in from close range.

The home side looked to hit back and dragged a low strike inches wide.

An injury to Haydn Whitcombe forced him out of the action in the 20th minute as Charlie Weaver took his place between the posts.

Quick feet saw Cirencester make room for a strike which went close as Malvern were pegged back.

The home side forced Malvern to sit deep with the wind in their favour and a free-kick in a promising position was fired into the defensive wall.

A neat move as the clock ticked down at the end of the first half saw Turner cross invitingly for Ethan Moran who went close in front of goal.

After a positive break by Clark ended with him curling wide Cirencester pulled a goal back when a cross was connected with a looping finish.

On the stroke of half-time Moran and Matt Fusco linked up well for the latter to see his effort well saved at the near post.

Malvern made a positive start to the second period as Bryan Craven broke through before squaring the ball to Turner who had the simple task of competing his hat-trick with 48 minutes on the clock.

A corner from Cirencester caused problems as Harry Wickett cleared off the line then a ball in from the right saw them go close again.

But Malvern made it 4-1 on the hour mark when a delicious back-heel from Fusco played in Clark who finished well.

Two minutes later Cirencester reduced the arrears with a shot from distance.

However, Malvern regained their three-goal cushion on 68 minutes when Clark’s cross was guided home by Turner for his fourth goal.

A strike from Craven had the sting taken out of it by a deflection before Cirencester pulled another goal back with a low strike on 83 minutes.

Weaver did well to save after a free-kick was pumped dangerously into the area.

Malvern added a sixth goal on 88 minutes when Aaron Griffiths put the ball in and Clark was able to flick home to secure the 6-3 win.