Ledbury Town Football Club

Match report

Following a 1-1 draw against tenth-placed Tenbury United Colts at the Ledbury Rugby Football Club Ross Road ground, followed by a narrow 3-2 loss to basement boys Dore Valley at the Seven Site, Ledbury Town Swifts continued a mixed February of fortunes in Division Two of the Herefordshire FA County League with a spirited 1-0 home defeat against runaway league leaders Ewyas Harold Reserves.

It was the second time the Ledbury third string had faced the league table toppers this season, after a 2-1 loss resulted at Ewyas Harold’s ground back in early October when goals from Dylan Lloyd and home substitute player Owen Prout overcame the consolation goal scored by Dan Fish.

Alex Williams scored on this occasion for the visitors during the first half at the Ross Road ground, with Jamie Roberts gaining the best chance to equalize after a one-on-one situation with the opposing goalkeeper saw the effort from the Swifts’ striker being saved by the Ewyas Harold goaltender.

New caretaker manager of the Ledbury third string Nick Blakeway was voted man of the match after making a number of great saves leading by example in goal, with youngsters Ethan French and Harry Eales also putting in commendable performances.

Swifts assistant coach Nick Bolton was very happy with a solid effort from his side, commenting:

“We were actually disappointed not to get anything from the game. I felt we defended particularly well, and we are now competing in games we previously would have lost convincingly, so it’s a huge improvement, especially from a defensive standpoint.”

The Ledbury third string, eleventh in the table although level on points with Tenbury United Colts just above them following a three-point deduction for Tenbury after failing to fulfil a fixture back in early November, have the luxury of three upcoming home games in March, beginning with a fixture against current sixth place holders Hereford Lads Club Colts at New Street this coming weekend (KO 2:30pm).

The next two Saturdays then see them face fourth-placed Woofferton, and current holders of the second place spot Worcester United Reserves at the Ross Road ground (both games again KO 2:30pm).

The Swifts narrowly lost out 4-3 to Lads Club back in early December at the County Ground, when Andy Abbot picked up a brace with Thomas Burton and Harry Holmans also on target for the city-based outfit, as Alex Berry, Will Brandreth and substitute player Dan Fish found the goals for the visitors.

The Ledbury third string will be hoping for more of an improvement however over the 3-0 loss suffered the last time they played Woofferton at the Brimfield and Little Hereford Sports Club, during only the second league game of the season played in September when Jack Lewis found a double for the hosts and Adam Lewis scored the third goal.

The Swifts also narrowly lost out 3-2 to Worcester at the Jewry Field in early November, when a Harry Lock brace and a goal from substitute player Kieran MacDonald overcame the two Ledbury goals scored by Nat Dunk and visiting substitute player Clayton Hodges.