MALVERN Town were once again left to rue a host of missed chances as they slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Smethwick Rangers in the West Midlands Regional League on Saturday.
Les Jones’ men appeared to have found their finishing touch following their 3-1 victory over local rivals Bromyard Town at the Langland Stadium last Wednesday.
But the tone was set in the opening ten minutes at York Road as Dave Reynolds twice failed to convert clear cut chances, with keeper Gurtis Bhuller producing a point blank save to deny the striker at his second opportunity.
Malvern were bossing possession, but, against the run, of play it was Smethwick who took the lead. Lee Barmby brought down a player in the box which handed David Meese the chance to slot home from the penalty spot on the 24th minute.
Despite the blow, Town continued to press and their persistence finally paid off with Reynolds netting after Reece King played the ball into the box.
Malvern should have edged in front moments after the interval when Reynolds found himself one on one with Bhuller, but the Smethwick keeper held firm to smother the shot.
The home side, meanwhile, were taking their chances when they came as an unmarked Jaspal Bhundal fired past Charles Weaver to give his side a 2-1 lead.
Bhuller was quickly becoming Smethwick’s hero as he produced a superb finger-tipped save deny Malvern with ten minutes remaining.
That was just the start of an action packed closing stages as Joe Endacott was in the right place at the right time to hack the ball away from danger before Barmby’s shot was cleared off the line after Reynolds’ shot was saved by Bhuller.
The contest was then ended with less than five minutes to go when Gurjit Singh broke free to score Smethwick’s third of the afternoon.