MALVERN Town continued their turbulent start to the season as they were thumped 4-0 by a Liam Hughes-inspired Sporting Khalsa on Tuesday night.
Things appeared to be on the up for Town as they secured back to back home wins for the first time this season to move them up the West Midlands Regional League table.
But they were undone by a scintillating performance by Hughes at Old Street as he bagged a hat-trick to steer his side to a comfortable victory.
Although it was Malvern who were first to get the ball in the back of the net as they began brightly. But Dave Reynolds’ header was ruled out for a hand ball.
The woodwork also denied the visitors from going ahead as Louis Loader’s free kick fell to Lee Barmby who smashed his shot against the crossbar.
This then sparked a Sporting counter attack as they quickly moved upfield before Hughes took the ball on and drilled it past Ian Hill to give the hosts the lead on the 20th minute mark.
The match suddenly began to open up, with both sides having chances to score. Firstly, Hill did well to push over Mark Habbershaw’s shot before his opposite number, Mariusz Kiesel denied Reynolds from equaliser.
Town continued to threaten, but they could not find the all important finishing touch as Louder was just unable to react to Kiesel’s save to prod it home.
And they were left to rue their missed chances as Khalsa secured a 2-0 advantage at half time, with John Cordy slotting the ball between Hill’s legs.
Things then went from bad to worse for Malvern after the interval as Hughes extended his side’s lead.
Despite the double blow either side of the break, Town refused to give up. But Khalsa and Kiesel remained resilient as the keeper once again stopped Reynolds.
The hosts then rounded off the win in the final minute when Hughes chipped Hill to complete his hat-trick.