Wyrley made it 9 points from 9 on Saturday after a scrappy game against Malvern Rangers FC.

Malvern were reduced to 10 men after ten minutes when their left back spat at Paul Yeomans, an incident that was spotted by the referee who produced a straight red card. Steve McMahon then picked up a groin strain after fifteen minutes and was replaced by Thomas Lowe who was unfortunate to have started the game on the bench after bagging a brace the week before. Despite Wyrley having a man advantage it was Malvern who had the better of the opening exchanges and it was completely against the run of play that Wyrley took the lead after half an hour. Lee Charles picked up the ball on the right wing and after beating the full back delivered a low ball into the box which a Malvern defender turned into his own net. Malvern then continued to apply great pressure with their direct style of play and Wyrley struggled to cope with the physical aspect of the Malvern team.

Malvern deservedly got back on level terms after 40 minutes when their centre forward cut in from the right hand side and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the far corner of the net past Richard James. The first half finished 1-1 and Malvern were definitely the better side going in at the break.

After a stern half time team talk Wyrley returned with a renewed energy and started to take the game to Malvern, immediately creating a couple of early half chances which they failed to convert before Thomas Lowe got them back in front after 55 minutes. A through ball between the Malvern defence from Danny Dolman put Lowe in and he showed great strength to hold off the defenders before coolly lifting the ball over the advancing keeper. Five minutes later and it was 3-1, Lee Charles again did well down the right hand side before firing a fierce shot across the Malvern keeper and into the far corner.

Malvern then unbelievably managed to get themselves back in the game with 15 minutes left when an excellent snap shot from 25 yards left James in the Wyrley goal rooted to the spot. Malvern then applied some pressure in search of the equaliser before their never say die attitude was finally crushed by Danny Dolman with 5 minutes to go. Charles and Lowe played some neat stuff down the right side before the Malvern keeper saved bravely at Lowe’s feet. The ball then rebounded to Dolman who had the simple task of rolling into an empty net from 12 yards.

The performance was definitely not as convincing as previous weeks but grit and determination meant that Wyrley kept their 100% record going ahead of a long run of home games on the bounce. We will be welcoming Mahal, Wem Town, Darlaston Town Reserves and Penkridge Town to the Red Lion Ground over the next 4 weeks.

Wyrley Team – Richard James, Steve Foster, Dan Martin

Picture Perfect film

, Adam Jinks, Stuart Foster, Paul Yeomans, Lee Charles, Danny Dolman, Steve McMahon, Chris Geldart, John Littler. Subs – Thomas Lowe, Chris Fowler, Paul Baker

Man of the Match – Adam Jinks