Ledbury Town Football Club

Match report

Following a great start to 2022, with a 2-1 victory away to Bartestree a fortnight ago and a 4-0 win against Holme Lacy Reserves at the Ledbury Rugby Football Club Ross Road ground last weekend, Ledbury Town Reserves suffered their first defeat of the year this week in Division One of the Herefordshire League, with a 2-1 loss to Ross Juniors HCL at the Ross-on-Wye Sports Centre.

A Kieran Loveridge penalty provided the only goal for the visitors as Sam Booth was named man of the match for David Butcher and Nick Blakeway’s side, with the hosts’ further two successful penalties moving them up to second place in the league table.

Butcher reflected on a day to chalk up to experience for the reserves:

“It was a scrappy game really, where Ross’ goals and our goal all came from the penalty spot. It was such a stop-start game, with the referee making much use of his whistle on the day.”

“We didn’t really get started from the first whistle, even if we defended well and reduced Ross to long-distance efforts, and if it weren’t for some outstanding saves from the Ross goalkeeper, we would have gone into the break 2-1 up. A draw would have been a fair result, but these games happen.”

The Ledbury second string have a busy February of fixtures in order to make amends and attempt to improve upon their current eighth place standing in the table, with a visit to current league leaders Fownhope taking place this weekend, before Butcher and Blakeway’s side host basement boys the Civil Service and then mid-table Tenbury Town and lowly Bartestree at New Street over the following three Saturdays (all games KO 2:00pm).

The reserves will be looking to avenge the 2-0 home defeat to Fownhope back in December, when Max Stenhouse and Joseph Harwood both found the net for the visitors, while the Civil Service will in turn be looking for payback on the New Street second string when a sole goal from Tom Skittery was enough to achieve the win at Central Park in Hereford a fortnight before the game against Bartestree in the reserves’ second game of the season.

Tenbury Town and Ledbury are yet to lock horns this season, while Bartestree will be looking for a better result at New Street after first half goals from visiting forwards George Walker and Sam Branch, as well as a critical second half save from Zak Bonfield, secured a reserves win at Bartestree’s ground to start the year, even if Harry Gwynne later deprived the visitors of a clean sheet.