MALVERN Town returned to winning ways in dramatic style last night (Wednesday) after they produced the mother of all comebacks to beat Smethwick 5-3.
Just days after their 6-2 drubbing to leaders Wolverhampton Sporting Community, Malvern look destined for back-to-back defeats when Smethwick lead 3-1 after 60 minutes thanks to a superb 15-minute hat-trick from striker Babucar Sauane.
But an inspired attacking substitution from manager Les Jones which saw Matt Turner replace left-back Harry Wickett changed the game as Malvern fought back in sensational style – scoring four goals in a remarkable half an hour period at the HDAnywhere Community Stadium.
The impressive Nathan Hughes began the comeback with a well taken finish to give Malvern hope before Turner, just minutes after coming on, got in behind the defence and past the keeper to slot the home the equaliser which made it 3-3.
And a stunning close range finish from Reynolds, his second goal of the game, made it 4-3 with just over ten minutes to go – which sent the home fans wild.
Malvern were forced to dig deep as Smethwick chased an equaliser. And the visitors were very close to making it 4-4 but had a goal disallowed in the final moment for offside.
But the home side sealed victory when a nice move ended with Nathan Hayward’s deflected strike hitting the back of the net to make it 5-3.
In what proved an entertaining game throughout, Reynolds gave Malvern the lead in an open first half with a powered low strike on the 22nd minute after neat forward play from the dynamic Hughes who put in a man-of-the-match display.
Smethwick, who were chasing a fourth straight league win, missed several chances in the first half but in the second half striker Sauane made sure the visitors were more ruthless.
His first strike on the 48th minute was of real quality as he launched a powerful shot from outside the area which Malvern keeper Chris Pinder had no chance of stopping.
And Sauane gave Smethwick a 2-1 lead just minutes later when he pounced in the penalty area following a Malvern defensive error.
The hosts were then left stunned when Sauane fired home his third with a powerful strike to put Smethwick firmly in charge of the contest.
But Malvern refused to let their heads slip and showed brilliant work rate to turn what looked a certain defeat to one of their most memorable wins in recent times.
Victory takes Malvern up to second place in the West Midlands (Regional) Premier Division, five points behind top spot.
The Hillsiders return to action on Saturday when they face Midland League Premier Division outfit Tividale in the FA Vase first qualifying round.