Malpas 2 Moore 1

MOORE’S miserable run was extended to 12 consecutive matches without victory after stumbling to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Malpas.

Manager Gary Smith welcomed back Dave Balmer in goal and Matt Arnold to the midfield, Paul Mather started on the bench and Louis Babbington earned a debut.

It did little to halt Moore’s slide towards the bottom of the Cheshire Football League Division Two table, with slack marking allowing a Malpas winger to cut inside and hand the hosts a 19th minute lead.

Two minutes later, Malpas’ number nine found space in between the midfield and defence and supplied a throughball for his strike partner to make it 2-0.

The visitors were going to need a special goal to give themselves a chance and that arrived shortly after the break, when John Darbyshire struck an outstanding volley into the far corner from the tightest of angles.

Try as they might Moore never looked likely to find an equaliser and even the introduction of Taylor, Norman and Mather could not breathe new life into their attack.

Smith and his side hope to end their dismal run when Warrington Town Reserves visit Long Lane on Saturday.