Malvern Town 1

Kington Town 3

KINGTON made a strong New Year start to their West Midlands League Premier Division campaign and kept their title hopes on track with a superb away victory over league leaders Malvern Town.

Trying out a new 4-4-2 formation, the visitors took a while to settle with Malvern dominating the opening exchanges and taking a deserved lead in the 19th minute. Right-back Mark Sutton failed to clear, the ball breaking to the home striker who drew goalkeeper Rory Hollingshead before slipping the ball to Dean Roberts who scored from close range.

Carl Morgan levelled for Kington before the break when his inswinging left-wing corner deceived the home goalkeeper to find the far corner.

Kington came out strongly after the interval and took the lead when Chris King put midfielder Kevin Gwilliam clear to net with a crisp finish.

Malvern tried to come back but were rebuffed by an excellent defence in which Danny Moon and Dave Howes were outstanding.

With time running out Kington sealed an important victory when Morgan's well-directed free kick was met at the far post by striker Mark Davis, his powerful header giving the home goalkeeper no chance.