MANAGER Les Jones believes Malvern Town are “getting closer” to becoming a top five side in the West Midlands Regional League.
Town were top of the league in August after a scintillating start to the season before their FA Vase exit to Walsall Wood was followed by defeats to Bewdley Town and in-form Sporting Khalsa.
But Jones feels his side are back on track after last week’s 5-0 win over Wolverhampton Casuals and last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Black Country Rangers.
“I was disappointed to lose in the FA Vase in the last minute and then it was doubly disappointing to lose 3-2 to Bewdley and then we lost to Sporting Khalsa,” he said.
“But the guys have recovered with a really good draw away to Dudley Sports followed by two wins and a draw against probably one of the favourites for the league title, Black Country Rangers.
“The encouraging thing is that I now feel that we can compete with the top five in the league. I am not saying we will be in the top five, but we have played two of the best sides in the league now in Sporting Khalsa and Black Country Rangers and we played well in both, so we are getting close to being top five standard.”
Jones said the additions of experienced midfielder Phil Harris and centre back Dene Whittal-Williams, who has joined on loan from Westfields, have made a big difference to his squad.
The Town boss said he was also delighted to welcome back Bryan Craven, who has been out of action with a knee injury, and he revealed the striker could be in contention to start against Haughmond on Saturday.
But Jones admitted he has also been pleased by how well his other forwards have stepped into his shoes.
“It is difficult to lose your top scorer, but we have had the likes of Dan Herbert who has come in and played at centre forward,” Jones said. “He is a different style of player to Brian as he is a big front man, but he has scored a couple of goals.
“It is fantastic to have Bryan back in the squad. But Matt Turner has also stepped up, while Dave Reynolds has scored goals, so it is all encouraging.
“We are in the middle of a tough spell of games now as Haughmond have been in good form, but we are in good heart and we are confident we can compete with anyone in the league now.”