Malvern Town 1 , Gloucester City 5.

MALVERN Town entertained Gloucester City in their latest friendly and with striker Robert Cullen getting married on the same day, they took to the field with eight regulars unavailable.

Despite this, the side bolstered by reserve and youth team players, gave as good as they got for the first 30 minutes and, if anything, had the lion’s share of the chances.

Unfortunately, three of the five goals Malvern conceded were down to poor errors at the Langland Stadium.

The first came as Jamie Thomas tried to intercept a ball and allowed the striker through on goal to score unopposed.

Next, Dominic Portman’s defensive header fell at the feet of the same striker and he picked his spot to score his second and Gloucester’s third.

Later on, when the game was all but lost at 4-1, Dave Reynolds got caught in possession and once more the visiting number eight punished Malvern with clinical finishing.

Malvern’s goal came when the industrious Joe Leighton chipped Gloucester’s defence allowing John Pykett to nip in, and the youngster steadied himself before chipping the visiting keeper.

Malvern made hard work of winning their friendly against near neighbours Droitwich 1-0.

The home side always looked in control, but were never allowed to relax against a fit and hard-working side whose game plan was to counter-attack with the possession they earned.

Malvern’s first attack saw new boy Lewis Loader deliver a corner to the far post and Andy Fletcher connected well but headed wide.

Five minutes later, Ed Lyons chipped the defence for midfielder Tim Clarke and, with room to place his shot left or right, he fired straight at the keeper.

Droitwich finally put an attack together with some giood one-touch play and, as they closed in on goal, it was Loader who came to the rescue, heading away for a corner.

Early in the second-half a wayward back pass left Jamie Thomas in no-man’s land, and the Droitwich centre-forward raced through on goal and keeper Dean Drinkwater did just enough to force him wide allowing Joe Endacott to race back and clear the ball off the goal line, saving Malvern’s blushes.

His brother Olly picked out Chris Allen at the other end and he was denied by a well timed tackle.

Malvern upped their game and Olly Endacott picked out Dave Reynolds with his next cross and Reynolds forced a good diving save out of the visiting keeper.

Reynolds then turned provider, putting Hooper through on goal, but he was disappointed to see his tame effort easily saved.

Midfielder Joe leighton split the defence with a cracking pass, but once again the keeper won the race for the ball, clearing the danger as Reynolds raced in.

Finally, Malvern got the reward they deserved when Reynolds chased a high ball, controlling it well he lost his marker and curled the ball home.

Malvern had an appeal for handball waved away by the referee and, minutes later, Hooper worked a good position for himself and was frustrated to see the keeper save with his legs.

In the dying minutes, Reynolds set up Paul Edwards just inside the box but a Droitwich defender threw himself in front blocking the shot.