DAVE Reynolds struck twice as Malvern Town recovered from an early scare to thrash basement boys Bustleholme 4-1 at the Langland Stadium on Wednesday.
The home fans were stunned into silence when Bustleholme who sit at the foot of the West Midlands Regional League table took the lead on the 37th minute with a goal from Chris Norton.
But Louis Loader quickly got Town back on level terms before the hosts strolled to a comfortable victory thanks to a impressive Lee Hooper finish and a late brace from Reynolds.
Having been forced to put striker Jamie Clews in goal after their keeper was held up on the motorway, Bustleholme, who also arrived with four 16 year olds in their squad, would have been bracing themselves for a difficult evening.
Malvern, meanwhile, would have been desperate to return to winning ways after suffering back to back league defeats. But things were not going to plan in the first half as Reynolds and Mark Saysell were both guilty of missing clear-cut chances.
And they were made to pay for it with eight minutes remaining of the opening period. A free kick was floated into the box for Norton who wrestled free of his marker to put the ball into the net.
Despite the blow, Town hit straight back as they went on the attack before Loader hammered home a volley from the edge of the box to level the scores at half time.
The equaliser also proved to be a big turning point in the match as Malvern went on to dominate the second period. Loader went close to adding a second moments after the interval before skipper Joe Endacott shot over the bar and Reynolds missed the target when presented with a great opportunity to give his side the lead.
But Town supporters’ patience was finally rewarded on the 65th minute when Reynolds played a diagonal ball to Hooper who produced a right foot volley which flew past Clews and into the top corner.
Malvern continued to press and they grabbed two goals in quick succession to wrap up the victory. Reynolds made up for his earlier missed chances to move Town 3-1 in front before the striker got on the end of Loader’s cross to score Malvern’s fourth.