MALVERN Town slumped to a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Westfields in the quarter-final of the West Midlands League Premier Division Cup on Tuesday night.

Town general manager Richard Anson was far from happy as Town's preparations were not helped by the last minute withdrawals of Wes Joyce and new signing Sam Campagna, as well as only being informed immediately prior to travelling, that Dave Cannon had just begun a 35 day suspension for a Sunday morning dismissal.

Anson said: "The performance at Westfields for such an important game was inept, I really don't think that certain players are aware of their responsibilities as far as this football club is concerned, rather that they see it is just some sort of inconvenience they have to go through before going out nightclubbing or whatever else seems to dominate some of their thoughts.

"The fact that three players call off on the day of the game is pathetic and yet again we have another player suspended for a lengthy period due to a Sunday morning dismissal.

"What on earth possesses these players to play pub kickabout stuff when we invest resource, money and a huge wedge of patience in them is beyond me.

"As far as I am concerned this season has been one of wasted opportunity, we have tried to change things mid term, but that is always a difficult thing to do, but what it has given Joe, Neil and myself now, is a very clear direction on the type of players we want for for next season and there are personnel here now who do not fit that bill.

"I warned the players about this just before Christmas, but they have not heeded it so you have to move on.

"We do have a chance of salvaging something this season when we visit Studley on Tuesday in the WFA Urn semi-final, but we are already struggling with availability's and if we get something out of it, it will be a miracle - at least on the evidence of last Tuesday's performance.

"We are making strides off the pitch and the youth set up goes from strength to strength and we are not going to suffer a log jam at first team level.

"I have heard all the excuses, but I am not prepared to listen anymore," Anson concluded.