MANAGER Les Jones insists Malvern Town will have to be at their absolute best to inflict defeat on West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division leaders Wolverhampton Sporting Community.
Visitors Sporting are on a blistering run of form having won 14 of their opening 15 games of the season, boasting an incredible goal difference of 65.
With a frightening attack coming to the HDAnywhere Community Stadium on Saturday, Jones told the Observer it is imperative his players defend properly to prevail.
“Defending had been a problem in recent weeks,” he said. “Dene Whittal-Williams worked on our problems with the lads in training and our results since then have turned around.
“It’s a massive game for us and it’s going to be a terrific challenge for us against a very strong side which shows no signs of slowing down.
“The message to the players is simple. They have to defend properly to get something from this game as the attack sorts itself out.
“We will be going out there to win because realistically a draw is a better result for them than us.”
Before then, the Hillsiders make the trip to Midland League Division One side Littleton tonight (Wednesday) for a Worcester Royal Infirmary Senior Cup tie.
Jones’ side head into the cup clash on the back of Saturday’s 6-1 home league win over Wolverhampton Casuals
Casuals had taken an early lead on Saturday but goals from Sean Smith, Kyonn Evans and Matthew Turner fired the hosts into a 3-1 half time lead.
Evans then struck twice in the second period to complete his hat-trick before Smith rounded off the scoring.
“After Casuals beat us 7-0 at the start of the season to dump us out of the FA Cup, it was nice to get some revenge,” said Jones.
“That said, our squad is a lot stronger than it was back then as we have had players returning from injury and those coming back from spells away with other clubs.
“We defended well and, with Casuals having the league’s top scorer in their ranks, I was delighted to have conceded just the one.
“After we went behind, we dominated the game and ran out comfortable winners.”