Malvern see off struggling Shifnal - The Malvern Observer

Malvern see off struggling Shifnal

Malvern Editorial 21st Oct, 2014 Updated: 20th Oct, 2016   0

A CLINICAL first half display saw Malvern Town return to winning ways as they beat struggling Shifnal Town 3-1 on Saturday.

Dan Herbert, Bryan Craven and Sam Rathbone all struck in an impressive opening 45 minutes at the HDanywhere Community Stadium.

Shifnal, who are bottom of the West Midlands Regional League, reduced the deficit with a goal from Chris Henry, but it proved too little too late as Town condemned their winless opponents to a third successive loss.

The victory will also help Malvern erase the memory of their 6-0 defeat to Gornal Athletic last week, which saw striker Lee Hooper play in goal after Charlie Walker suffered a dead leg in the opening stages.




Malvern were also handed an early blow against Shifnal as James Lush was forced off through injury. But fortunately for Town, substitute Rathbone made an immediate impact.

The winger showed his marker a clean pair of heels before firing in a cross for Matt Turner who headed the ball back for Herbert to open the scoring in the 17th minute.


The hosts then doubled their advantage three minutes later when Craven’s free kick on the edge of the area flew into the top corner.

Rathbone was causing Town all sorts of problems as he weaved his way into the box once again. After his shot was blocked, Craven forced a good save from Luke Kriskinans.

Shifnal’s keeper was having a busy afternoon as he denied Herbert, but he could do little to stop Malvern making it 3-0 just before the break, with Rathbone slotting the ball past him.

Weaver, however, did not have to make a meaningful save until the second half when he got down well to stop Henry’s low shot from going in.

Malvern rarely threatened to score a fourth before Shifnal got themselves a consolation goal through Henry with five minutes to go. Rathbone had the chance to round off the victory when he latched on to Sam Daffin’s cross, but he could only find the target.

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