Assistant manager Stephen Cleal said lack of game time hampered his side in their Smedley Crooke Memorial Cup Final defeat to Pershore Town on Saturday,

Malvern had not played a competitive game of football since April 15 and Cleal explained that the three week break between their final league game of the season and the cup final "had an affect" on the players.

"Its' disappointing to lose but momentum is key in football," he said.

"We haven't played since April 15 and they played on Monday.

"Not taking anything from them but we stopped and it is hard to get going again at this level.

"We didn't train the first week after our final league game to give them a bit of a break before going again but it's hard

"It's not an excuse, it's just a fact that we haven't played a competitive game of football in three weeks and that has had an affect."

Pershore's win saw them complete a non-league cup treble having already won both the Worcestershire Senior Cup and Supplementary Cup.

Malvern hit the woodwork three time in the 90 minutes and Pershore keeper Eddie Cox also made a number of good saves to keep Malvern out and in the end, Jordan Jones' 31st minute header was the difference.

Cleal admitted it was "one of those days" for his side.

"I honestly think we could have been out there for hours and not scored, it was just one of those days," he added.

"I think we had about 15 chances where we have hit the post or bar four times, the keeper had made good saved but credit to them.

"They have caused us problems but I think it was one of those days for us where we were just not going to score.

"But we won't let this detract from what has been a great season from the lads."

They had already won two trophies before today for a reason, they are not a bad side.

You can see today what they are about, great group, a great togetherness so credit to them and their coaching staff.