TABLE-TOPPING Malvern Town will bid for a Roman conquest this weekend after making it four wins from five on a shivering Saturday of non-League action.
The Hillsiders were the only local side in action as both Worcester City and Worcester Raiders saw their clashes with Shifnal Town and at Chipping Sodbury Town called off due to frozen pitches.
Town travel to seventh-place Roman Glass St George on Saturday (December 17) seeking to maintain their three-point lead over Cribbs – whose game also fell victim to the freezing conditions – gained after the weekend’s 4-1 win over visitors Thornbury Town.
At a chilly HDAnywhere Community Stadium, the all-weather pitch enabled Town to take to the field and get back amongst the goals.
After Lewis Spurrier slotted home to give the Hillsiders an early lead, Luke Payne curled home majestically from distance into the top corner to make it 2-0
It was 3-0 on 43 minutes when the ball hit the crossbar from Bobbie Dale’s effort and Adam Sauntson was alert to guide the rebound home from close range.
Chances were few and far between in the second half until Dale broke and made room for a strike which was well saved before Joe Bullock was able to add a fourth goal and seal the points.
The visitors were able to pull a goal back with seven minutes to go when Jack Smith did well to make room for a strike that he arrowed into the net to complete the scoring.
Malvern’s win, together with Cribbs’ postponement, mean the Hillsiders have a three-point lead at the top of the Hellenic Premier, albeit with the Bristol side having two games in hand.
Karl Gormley’s Worcester Raiders were set to visit Roman Glass St George on Wednesday (December 14) before returning to action at Sixways on December 21 with the visit of Hereford Lads Club.
And Worcester City will be hoping for a thaw on Saturday when they bid to return to action with a trip to Market Drayton Town (kick-off 2pm) in the Midland League Premier Division.
The Blue and Whites will do so without keeper Adam Harrison who has made the move to a team further up the non-league pyramid.
Harrison joined City last season under Tim Harris and made 28 appearances during the 2021-2022 season.
This season, he made a total of 22 appearances, taking his total up to 50 in a City shirt, also making a number of appearances captaining the side recently.
A City spokesperson said: “Adam’s performance and commitment this season, especially throughout the last few months, has been exceptional, and we want to place on record our thanks to him and wish him all the best for the future.”