Malmesbury Vics make light work of beating visiting Middle Barton (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Malmesbury Vics make light work of beating visiting Middle Barton

MALMESBURY Vics, who thrashed Barton Middle 4-0 in their first league game under new floodlights at the Flying Monks ground, should play all their games under lights on the basis of this convincing victory.

In front of a good crowd, the visitors looked the keener of the two sides at the start of last week's affair and Vics were indebted to keeper Graham Jones for several splendid saves in keeping a clean sheet.

Gradually, the hosts got into their stride before taking a 24th-minute lead through Townsend which they took into the interval in this Wednesday night affair.

Four minutes after the break, a Mitchell strike gave Malmes-bury a 2-0 lead and the same player went on to score two more for his hat-trick - in the 51st and 85th minutes - as the Vics enjoyed a well 4-0 deserved win.

Not such good news for the Vics in Saturday's Hellenic League Supplementary Cup quarter-final as a goal in the last minute by Knox saw his Highworth's side through to the semi-final at the expense of brave opponents.

Despite facing a side in the top half of Premier League, the Vics battled hard for 89 minutes and even had a couple of decent chances to snatch the game.

But it was good goalkeeping by Jackson had denied Andy Mitchell on both occasions.

The visitors had started much the stronger and only luck and poor finishing denied them four times in the first ten minutes.

Two goal-bound efforts were cleared off the line and only a last-ditch tackle by Wilkins denied Cooper as he burst through.

Keeper Jones also made two excellent saves as Malmesbury struggled to clear their lines.

They gradually came into the game and Townsend almost broke clear before Mitchell saw his shot brilliantly saved by Jackson.

The rest of the half was fairly even and the sides turned round all square. But with Highworth pressing in the first minute of the second half, Webb was clearly obstructed as he drove into the home penalty area.

The referee immediately awarded a penalty, but changed his mind after consulting his assistant and, instead, awarded Malmesbury a free kick.

Highworth had lots of possession but rarely threatened, and it was Vics who seemed to be the stronger side in the last ten minutes as first Yates and then Mitchell had goal-bound effort was brilliantly saved by Jackson.

With extra time seemingly inevitable, a Malmesbury attack was broken up and the ball swiftly shifted to Knox who broke through three tackles to score with a decisive strike.