O'Brien's move adds to troubled Town's woes (From Tewkesbury Admag)

O'Brien's move adds to troubled Town's woes

Malvern Tn 2, Stratford Tn 1

IT never rains but it pours for Lennie Derby's side! Having taken an early lead last Saturday they proceeded to gift the Travel Factory Alliance newcomers two goals including the winner four minutes from time!

And, to add to the Masons Road chief's troubles, long-serving Paul O'Brien played his final game before joining Racing Club Warwick as assistant manager.

Richard Evans was the guilty party for both goals and that after the defender's long ball in the fourth minute had been nodded on for Nicky Heath to fire past Adam Moss.

The return of Nigel Niblett at the back and a debut for new goalkeeper Craig Allen promised an end to the first week shambles but, when Evans failed to clear the ball, Phil Preedy nipped in and beat Allen to make the scoreline all-square after 14 minutes.

There were more changes to Stratford's side with Paul Nicholls relegated to the bench and recalls for Michael Stephenson, Tom Leaver and Colin Packer.

The latter twice failed to test Moss from good positions, while Kitching shot wide on the turn before the Stratford goal led a charmed life prior to half-time.

Allen saved from Scott Morris three minutes after the restart and that was Malvern's solitary effort on goal until Preedy's late winner.

Leaver mishit Stephenson's centre over the bar after 65 minutes, while Moss denied Evans and Niblett as the visitors sensed picking up their first points of the season.

Substitute Nicholls looked to have given his side the lead 11 minutes from time but Moss produced a fine one-handed stop before Evans and Allen got into a mix-up and Preedy profited to run the ball unchallenged into the empty net.

The loss of O'Brien who, only three weeks ago lifted the League Cup, is a huge blow ahead of the visit of victims Rushall, who have won their first three league games, to Masons Road on Saturday.