LUKE CORBETT inspired Malvern Town to their fourth straight league win as his double helped them to a 2-1 victory against league strugglers Bilston Town Community.
Corbett put Malvern ahead after 25 minutes but their lead lasted only nine minutes as Lewis Archer netted from the penalty spot to pull Bilston level, however, 15 minutes from the end Malvern’s in-form striker headed home to secure the three points.
The result sees Malvern climb back up to fifth place in the West Midlands Regional League Premier Division table with six games remaining.
Going into Saturday’s game on the back of wins against title chasing AFC Bridgnorth and mid-table Wellington over the Easter weekend, Malvern were up against a Bilston side who were forced to draft in four youth players and the Hillsiders began the brighter of the two sides.
Their first chance of the game came in the 15th minute when Corbett was played in but he failed to keep the ball down to enable him to get a shot off.
Five minutes later, Ben Hayes thought he had scored from Lewis Platt’s cross but a Bilston player on the line kept the score at 0-0.
In the 23rd minute, Malvern captain Reece King wasted another opportunity to put the visitors in front but his header at the back post was straight at Bilston keeper James Gettings.
Two minutes later, Malvern’s dominance paid off when Corbett guided the ball home from inside the area after collecting Harry Wickett’s cross.
However, the lead only lasted nine minutes as Bilston were awarded a penalty when Archer was bundled over in the area by Anthony Smith and Malvern keeper Chas Weaver.
Archer took the penalty and duly obliged to level the scores going into the half-time break.
Following the interval, Corbett had the opportunity to restore parity for Malvern but when Gettings knocked the ball to his feet, he failed to convert, shooting just wide.
Dene Whittal-Williams wasted another opportunity in the 54th minute to put Malvern back in front but after collecting King’s cross, he blazed wide.
The woodwork came to Bilston’s rescue four minutes later when Corbett’s shot crashed against the crossbar.
With only 15 minutes remaining, Malvern finally found the back of the net when Corbett sent a looping header into the top right hand corner to claim his 13th goal in 13 appearances and the Hillsiders’ fourth consecutive league victory.
Malvern’s next game sees them welcome 20th placed Bromyard Town to the HDAnywhere Community Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick off).
