Being placed in the northern section of the Isuzu FA Trophy has its drawbacks and advantages for Malvern Town.
The Pitching In Southern League Division One South high-flyers faced a 265-mile round trip to Lincoln United at the weekend and used the occasion as their first proper away day bonding session of the season.
It worked well as not only did they come home with a 2-0 victory to see them secure their place in the third round qualifying of the competition for the first-ever time, but the hours on the road also allowed the new signings to see at first-hand the spirit that exists between players, staff, volunteers and supporters.
“It was definitely a long journey, but a fantastic first proper away day,” said summer arrival and two-goal hero, Piers Walton. “This is such a close-knit club, with everyone together and giving everything they have for the cause.
“There was a real buzz on our way to the game and then the bus was bouncing on the way back as we all celebrated what was a huge achievement for the club.
“It was great for everyone to be together; players, the coaching staff, supporters and club directors, all sharing in our success and creating more history for the club by getting to this stage of the FA Trophy for the first-ever time.
“We did plenty of preparation in the build-up to the game, as we always do, and set-up to play to our strengths and try to exploit what we saw as their weaknesses, and it paid off for us.
“At half-time we felt hard done by for not taking our chances, but we were a lot more composed after the break and it paid dividends for us as we got the job done.
“Personally I thought that I had a good game; I caused their back-line problems throughout and stayed patient to get my goals.”
The Hillsiders’ reward for the victory is another away tie, this time to AFC Rushden & Diamonds in the third round qualifying.
For Walton he has hit the ground running at the HDANYWHERE Community Stadium, playing a big part in the club’s bright start to the campaign following their play-off final disappointment at the end of last term.
“I actually came close to joining the club a year earlier,” he admitted to us. “I know a lot of the lads here and I’ve heard all about what a welcoming, family club it is that’s really active within the local community.
“When the chance came up again to come here over the summer, it was an easy decision and things have started just as I hoped they would.
“The team has started the season well. It’s very early days but it’s nice to be sitting top after the opening six games.
“There’s a real determination to keep our positive run going. We lost for the first time in our last League game, but we responded superbly well at the weekend and we will be looking to build on this now.
“I feel that I have found my feet very quickly. As a striker, it’s always nice to get a few early goals under your belt and hopefully more will follow and my hard work during games will continue to be rewarded in this way.
“I’ve played at this level before so I know all about the aggression and pace of the game. I have to say that the technical ability has taken me by surprise; the standard is very good across all of the teams we have come up against so far.
“As a club, our target is to finish as high as possible. We know that we can do it if we stick together and take things a game at a time.
“Personally I want to keep providing goals and chances for others whilst giving 100% every time that I step onto the pitch.”
Walton progressed through the levels to reach Step 4 with his local club, Kidlington, where he spent three years. A spell at Larkhall Athletic followed before he joined Highworth Town and was part of their team which came close to a return to Step 4 at the end of last season.
This is how Monday’s third round qualifying draw effects our member clubs.
There’s a home tie for Evesham United as they take on Ilkeston Town, whilst Barwell and Bromsgrove Sporting meet, just as they did at the weekend. Having removed former winners, Stafford Rangers, the reward for Sporting Club Inkberrow is a home tie against Stratford Town.
Spalding United hit the road as they go to Rushall Olympic, similarly Stourbridge have an away draw with their destination Anstey Nomads. It’s home advantage for Quorn against Corby Town, whilst Read Bedford and Stamford AFC go head-to-head.
There are home draws for Halesowen Town, who face Leek Town, St. Ives Town, who welcome Kettering Town, and Worcester City who entertain Rugby Town at Sixways Stadium. Alvechurch hit the road to Basford United, whilst Harborough Town face a home clash with Hednesford Town.
Redditch United hit the road to Cleethorpes Town as Uxbridge head to Stanway Rovers. Royston Town play host to Welling United and Hanwell Town face Grays Athletic. There’s also home advantage for Hadley as they take on Dartford, whilst Leiston go to Lewes.
On the road will be Berkhamsted, who go to Cray Valley (PM). Two of our member clubs meet at AFC Sudbury as they face Bury Town, whilst Chertsey Town host Tilbury. A home draw awaits Bishop’s Stortford against Cray Wanderers as Needham Market go to Chatham Town and Biggleswade FC head to Ashford United.
Walton & Hersham are away at Hayes & Yeading United as AFC Dunstable prepare to welcome Folkestone Invicta. Bracknell Town and Hungerford Town face off as Shaftesbury go to Basingstoke Town. There’s a mouth-watering local derby for Hartpury as they welcome Gloucester City.
More of our member clubs match up with each other as Plymouth Parkway host Gosport Borough, Dorchester Town have home advantage against Bideford AFC, Thame United welcome Banbury United, Bishop’s Cleeve entertain Sholing in another tie that sure to be a cracker, Yate Town welcome Poole Town, Havant & Waterlooville are at home to Tiverton and there’s a tasty Dorset derby between Wimborne Town and Weymouth.
Finally, Taunton Town go to AFC Portchester and Farnham Town are on the road with destination Chichester City.
Ties to be played on the weekend of Saturday, October 4th 2025.
IMAGE: Malvern Town FC
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