Malvern Town 2 Rocester 0

From IAN CRUDDAS at the Langland Stadium

BASEMENT club Rocester travelled to table-toppers Malvern Town more in hope than expectation and suffered yet another Midland Alliance defeat.

 But their performance deserved at least a point as they matched their opponents virtually throughout this game and were indeed the better side in the second half.

  The Romans survived an early scare when defender Carl Allen deflected a long-range shot from Malvern’s Darren Bullock towards the bottom corner of his own net.

  However, goalkeeper Paul Wood dived smartly to his left to push the ball round the post.

  The home side took the lead after 22 minutes when Rik Halion worked his way towards goal from the right touch line and set up the chance for Luke Whittington to score.

  Rocester could have drawn level soon after when Craig Hancox’s cross from the left was met by Tom Smith’s header just over the Malvern crossbar but, deep into first half injury time, Malvern increased their lead.

  Wood made a fine save to palm away a fierce shot from ace marksman Mark Owen only for the ball to fall for Whittingham to stab home his second goal.

  In the second half, Rocester produced some of their best football so far this season to outplay their hosts but their only reward was a shot from Karl Payne and a header from Mick Ede, both of which went inches wide of a post.

  Malvern finished the game strongly, but Wood made two further fine saves to over the crossbar a thunderous drive from Nathan Jukes and to beat out a close-range header from Andy Chalmers.

  Whilst the return to the side after a long term injury of veteran defender Mick Ede and the added skills of newcomers Craig Hancox and Paul Tortoishell has helped to improve the Romans’ performance under new manager Mick Rowe, the side is still in desperate need of a goalscorer to gain their first League win of the season.

Burton Mail - Published on 17/10/2005