LEE Hooper admits Malvern Town need one more ‘big push’ to reach the play-offs after securing back-to-back victories over the Easter period.
The Hillsiders thrashed bottom club Cinderford Town 4-0 at Edge Hills Road on Easter Monday after winning 3-0 against Westbury United at the HDAnywhere Community Stadium two days previously.
And the results mean Malvern sit fourth in the Southern League Division One South table with one match left to play, one point clear of the chasing pack in the race for a play-off place.
Malvern are one of four clubs vying for the final two play-off spots with the Hillsiders heading into the final game of the season on a 17-game unbeaten run dating back to early January.
And Hooper admits his side need one final push to secure a top-five finish this season.
Hooper said: “We played okay in the first half but we conceded a couple of opportunities where they could have punished us.
“At half time we reassessed and just said be patient, don’t panic and make sure when the opportunity comes you finish it and that’s what we did.
“One big push, let’s fill the ground and make it a real atmosphere and go and get the result so we can hopefully make the play-offs.
“It’s massive, I’m not saying it’s an over achievement because we’ve got the quality in the changing room.
“When we started the season, that was our target, you want to be ambitious.
“We started the season okay but after the Christmas period we were down in about 14th.
“We said then that we had to go through to the end of the season unbeaten [to reach the play-offs] and the lads have done it, they’ve been absolutely tremendous.
“It’s one final push now to get us into the play-offs, I can’t praise the lads enough, I’m so proud of them and everyone has given everything to get us to this point.”
After a goalless first period, Malvern broke the deadlock on 59 minutes when Harry Clark forced the ball home after the Hillsiders hit the post and had an effort cleared off the line moments earlier.
And the visitors doubled their lead three minutes later as Jack Watts robbed a defender of possession before finishing underneath Cinderford goalkeeper Lewis Adams.
Malvern sealed the points four minutes from time when Joe Bullock curled a stunning strike into the top corner from 25-yards out.
And Clark completed the scoring in the final minute when he met substitute Ryan Brunt’s cross with a diving header.
Malvern finish the season with a home game against Willand Rovers on Saturday, April 26 with kick-off at 3pm at the HDAnywhere Community Stadium.
