Match Preview: Malvern Town vs Tavistock AFC

Tavi take on longest away trip of the season to face play-off hopefuls Malvern Town

By Luca Sperti

The Lambs will be looking to pick up back-to-back away wins for the first time since November, after the Red and Black outfit picked up a crucial three points, away from home, against Bideford on Easter Monday. A dominant display in the first half, saw Tavi take the lead at The Sports Ground in only the 3rd minute. A ball from Striker Liam Prynn, was played into the box to Joe O’Loughlin, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net from close range. Tavi extended their lead in the 18th minute, through a wonderfully taken penalty from former Bideford attacker Prynn. The former Torquay United man’s penalty was hit hard and low into the bottom right-corner, giving Adam Seedhouse Evans in the Bideford goal no chance. The Lambs could have scored more in the first half, with Alex Battle hitting the crossbar, after neat play, and Liam Prynn having a shot from inside the box expertly saved by Seedhouse Evans. However, in the 38th minute Tavi did make it three, through Captain Ed Harrison. The Number Eight rose highest to power home a header which was flicked on at the near post by Joe O’Loughlin. Bideford pulled a goal-back in the third minute of added time, thanks to experience striker Stuart Bowker. The goal pulled the Robins back into the game out of nowhere. Bideford started the second half off stronger and made it 2-3 only five minutes into the second-period, after a Archie Reay header deflected off Taylor Scarff and rolled into the net. Despite this early goal and half chances for both teams in the second half, this is where the scoring stopped, with Tavi holding on for a crucial three points in their race to the playoffs. Malvern were also in action on Easter Monday, with the Hillsiders picking up a crucial victory against Evesham away from home. Malvern took the lead in the Worcestershire Derby in the 28th minute, when a Harry Clark ball found Jack Watts who squared the ball to former Lamb, Jordan Annear who rolled the ball into the net. Only 10 minutes later, Malvern doubled their lead in the encounter. Another through ball from Watts this time found Clark, who rolled the ball into the back of the net, to put the Malvern travelling fans into dreamland. Infront of an attendance of 409 people, Malvern held on for an important victory, which still gives them a glimmer of hope to make the play-offs.

Malvern’s win at Evesham on Monday, was the clubs first at the fifth time of asking, with the clubs last win coming on the 2nd of March in a 0-4 away win at Bemerton Heath Harlequins. Malvern have lost three, drew one and won one of their previous five fixtures. The Hilldsiders were also in action on Good Friday, where they drew 1-1 with Wiltshire based outfit Melksham Town. At the Langland Stadium, Malvern took the lead in the 15th minute, through central-defender Adam Sauntson. The goal was the defenders first of the season and first in the Southern League. However, in the 44th minute, the visitors equalised the game up through Elliott Haffenden who was alert to tap the ball into the net from close-range, after a powerful strike hit off-the-bar. Despite a positive second-half performance from Malvern the points were shared in Worcestershire. Malvern last defeat came on the 23rd of March, when they were beaten 2-0 by Larkhall Athletic at Plain Ham. The home side opened the scoring in the 8th minute thanks to a goal from winger Eben Mortimer-Taylor, which was the former Frome Town man’s first goal of the season. However, in the 78th minute Mortimer-Taylor doubled his tally for the afternoon and the season, making it 2-0 to the Larks. Late in the game Malvern were awarded a penalty, with the club’s top-scorer Jack Watts standing over the spot-kick. However, despite a confident run up the striker’s penalty was saved low to left by Arthur Nasta, in the Larkhall goal.

Malvern currently sit in 13th position on 39 points, two places and two points behind Tavi who sit in 11th on 41 points. The Claret and Blue outfit, have won eleven, drew six and lost 13 matches this season. Whereas Tavi have won twelve, drew five and lost twelve matches this season. Malvern have picked up 25 points at home this season compared to 14 points away from home. Malvern and Tavi are both free scorers with both sides scoring more than a half-century this season. Malvern have scored 52 goals this season and have conceded 50, whereas Tavi have scored 54 and conceded 58. Tavi have a impressive away record this season, as the side from Devon have picked up seven victories away from home, which is joint-second in the league and best for a side not in the top four. A victory for Malvern at the Langland Stadium, could see them leapfrog Tavi in the table and move up to as high as 10th place in other results go their way. A victory for the Lambs in the encounter, could see them move into six position if a significant movement of goals falls in their favour. A victory for the Lambs could also see the Red and Black Outfit just a point outside the play-offs if other results go their way.

The Reverse fixture between these two-sides only occurred just-over two weeks ago at Langsford Park, with Tavi coming out 2-0 winners. The victory was the Lambs first in five matches. Tavi started off the fixture well and took the lead in the 22nd minute thanks to Alex Battle. A long through ball looking for Battle was overhit and fell to Malvern keeper Josh Bishop, who came rushing out his box. The goalie took a heavy touch which the Tavi forward noticed, intercepting the ball off the young keeper before smashing the ball into an empty net. The Lambs doubled their lead in the encounter in the 27th minute, after Tallan Burns beat the offside trap before unselfishly squaring the ball to Battle for his brace. On a cold Wednesday evening very little happened in the second-half, with the Lambs holding on for a impressive victory.

 

Malvern Town Key Players:

Jack Watts- A player who I mentioned to look out for in the reverse fixture, the striker has had a such a good season I had to mention him again. The right-footed striker has had an excellent season in front of goal so far scoring an impressive 18 goals in 31 games this season, as well as getting six assists. The 29-year-old started his career with Evesham United in 2014/15 where he made 15 appearances scoring once against Bishop’s Cleeve in a 0-5 victory. The same season Watts then moved to Bishop Cleeve, where he had a brilliant end to the season scoring 16 in 25 appearances, with all these goals coming in the League. Watts 16 goals included the striker, scoring a hattrick against Fleet Town and braces against the likes of Swindon Supermarine, Sholing and Shortwood United. The next season saw Watts score five in 36 at Bishop Cleeve, which included goals against Didcot Town, Bashley and Slimbridge. The next season still at Cleeve, saw Watts score eight goals in 42 appearances. In the 17/18 season, the striker started the beginning of the season out on loan at Cirencester Town, where he made eight appearances without finding the net. The attacker then moved back to the Mitres, where the forward scored eight in 30 appearances in all competitions, including a goal against Cirencester Town in a 3-1 win for the Mitres. The forward spent the next part of his career at the Gloucestershire based side, until he signed for Malvern Town on dual-registration last season. Watts helped Malvern win promotion out of the Hellenic League last season and signed permanently for the club in the summer. This season Watts’ goals have been integral in helping Malvern adapt to life at this level. Watts scored an impressive nine goals before October this season and the forward has continued his habit in scoring in braces, with the forward scoring twice in six different games this season. The forward has scored against the likes of Westbury, Mousehole, Evehsam this season. Watts’ is also excellent on the ball for a striker, which is shown by his six assists this season. The forward was instrumental in Malvern’s 0-2 away victory against Evesham on Monday, providing two excellent assists. The frontman is lethal inside the box and will be one to look out for in this fixture. If Malvern do well in the fixture don’t be surprised to see the striker involved in the action. The striker will have a good battle with Tavi’s strong powerful centre-back Taylor Scarff.

Recce King- The versatile midfielder, started his career at Malvern, where he spent six seasons as a youngster. King made his debut for the Hillsiders, at just 16 years of age and went on to make over a century of appearances for the club before earning a moving to Gloucester City. In the 16/17 season at Gloucester, in the National League South, King made 7 appearances in all competitions including six in the league. The Midfielder played against the likes of Truro City, Wealdstone, Western-Super-Mare, and Chippenham Town, whilst at Gloucester where he impressed. Following his time at Gloucester, King moved on to Hednesford Town, where he spent two seasons before moving to Leamington. However, it didn’t take to long for the ball playing-midfielder to move back to Hednesford. In the 19/20 season with the Black and White outfit King made 32 appearances in all competitions, scoring an impressive five goals. The all-round midfielders’ goals came against the likes off, Stratford Town, Redditch United and Barwell. Half-way through the season following impressive performance, King signed for Buxton where he spent a season and a half before moving to Stourbridge. In Step three of Non-League in the Southern Premier Division Central, King made an impressive 35 appearances in his first season at Stourbridge in a defensive-midfielder position. The next season saw King play 42 times in all competitions and even captain the Glass boys on a number of occasions. The midfielder also scored twice in the 22/23 season against Hitchin Town and AFC Rushden and Diamonds. King played in a variety of positions for the West Midlands based side last season helping them finish in 14th place in the process. This season saw King start the season as a centre-midfielder at Stourbridge. The experienced ball-winning made 37 appearances for the Glass boys’ scoring once in a 3-4 loss to Halesowen Town. However, at the end-of-march, the midfielder returned to his boyhood club. King made his second debut for the Worcestershire based side against Wimborne and he has gone on to make four appearances so far for the claret and blue’s. The midfielder is one to look out for due to the wealth of experience he has at Step three level.

Malvern Town Last five results:

Monday 1st April- Evesham United 0-2 Malvern Town

Friday 29th March- Malvern Town 1-1 Melksham Town

Saturday 23rd March- Larkhall Athletic 2-0 Malvern Town

Wednesday 20th March- Tavistock AFC 2-0 Malvern Town

Saturday 16th March- Malvern Town 1-2 Wimborne Town

 

Tavistock AFC Last five results:

Monday 1st April- Bideford AFC 2-3 Tavistock AFC

Wednesday 27th March- Tavistock AFC 3-3 Larkhall Athletic

Saturday 23rd March- Cribbs FC 2-2 Tavistock AFC

Wednesday 20th March- Tavistock AFC 2-0 Malvern Town

Saturday 9th March- Wimborne Town 3-2 Tavistock AFC

Ticket Information:

From: Malvern Town’s Official Club Website

Date: Saturday 6th April, Kick-off: 3:00 pm

Ground: HDanywhere Comminuty Stadium (The Langland Stadium), Langland Avenue, Malvern, WR14 2EQ

Adult: £10

Concession £6

Under 16s £1 (with paying adult)