Season: 2021-22

Ledbury Town Reserves v Tenbury Town

Ledbury Town Reserves’ final game of the season in Division One of the Herefordshire FA County League was cancelled this week at New Street after Tenbury Town were unable to raise a side.

With David Butcher’s side being denied a chance at revenge against Tenbury after the league’s seventh place finishers defeated the Ledbury second string 3-1 at the Brimfield and Little Hereford Sports Club at the end of March, in what was possibly the reserves’ worst performance of the season as George Walker’s stoppage time goal was of scant consolation following earlier goals scored by home strikers Callum Gittens, James Lort and Jack Moran, Town’s second side can now reflect on a much-improved season.

Being practically guaranteed an eighth place finish for a number of weeks now even before this final cancelled game, this mid-table finish saw Butcher’s squad accumulate a respectable 32 league points compared to the mere eight accrued last season, with the secondary outfit helping to ready several young players for first time opportunities both for this season and the next as Tom Skittery scored the most goals for the reserves in total, finding the net on nine occasions for a twentieth place finish in the Herefordshire League Division One top goalscorers overall.

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Hereford Pegasus Reserves v Ledbury Town

Sole Ledbury goalscorer that night George Walker goes in for a 40th minute challenge against an opposing defender just inside the box as Tom Boyle looks on from behind them (📸: Chris Ponter)

Ledbury Town missed out on crowning a superb 2021/22 footballing season in the Herefordshire FA County League Premier Division this week, being denied acquiring the Herefordshire FA Charity Bowl silverware for the second time in the space of three years following a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Hereford Pegasus Reserves at a packed-out Herefordshire FA County Ground.

Ian Merrick’s high-flying side, denied becoming league champions this season after finishing bottom of the table twelve months ago only through the sheer might of Hartpury University, who won all twenty of their games this season with a remarkable 107 goals in their favour, booked their place in the final of this season’s Charity Bowl contest through a comfortable 4-0 victory over bottom league finishers Holme Lacy in the first round at New Street back in early October, when Tom Boyle, Ben Miller, joint man of the match Nathan Ince and Josh Burns all found the net.

This was followed by an 11-2 demolition of Shobdon, who pulled out of the league towards the end of the season, during a bitterly cold affair at their airfield-based venue in the quarter-finals in late November, when star player for the visitors Miller hit four, twenty-year-old George Walker scored his first hat-trick in senior level football with the aid of two penalties, and captain Tom Trigg, James Febery, Scott Roberts and reserves striker Sam Branch all found the net as the hosts’ consolation goals came courtesy of Alfie Hurley and Timothy Stanley.

The semi-final in early February witnessed Hartpury’s only defeat of the season, even if it took a thrilling penalty shootout to unseat them after the scoreline remained level at a goal apiece following an uneventful second period of play after first-half goals were scored by Burns and King Baidoo.

Miller, Curt Williams, man of the match Roberts, Ben Febery and Burns all put away their spot kicks to deliver the shock defeat, even if the league champions got their own back two months later through a 2-0 victory at Ledbury’s historic ground, when Luca Robinson found the net on the brink of half-time with Joshua Bissett finding a second 60th minute goal.

Pegasus Reserves’ road to the final began with an 11-0 annihilation of mid-table Ludlow Town Colts at The Ludlow Stadium back in late September, before the quarter-finals two months later saw a far narrower 2-1 win occur over Wellington Rangers as goals from Harvey Evans and substitute player Ben Pritchard outnumbered the 63rd minute consolation goal scored by home striker Chris Bush.

A third away encounter in the semi-finals saw the Reserves, who finished third in the league this season four points below Town, scrape through with another close 3-2 victory this time over Welland as Carl Horton, Jordan Williamson and substitute player Evans found the winning goals with Mark Holbrow scoring twice for the hosts following an earlier yellow card for team-mate Omar Elmougy.

Despite the two sides both finishing strongly in the table, it was Ledbury who, on paper at least, were favourites for this final encounter of the tournament after defeating the Pegasus second string on both occasions when the two rivals met each other in the league this season, beginning with a superb 3-2 comeback at New Street in mid-November despite going two goals down after an hour of play courtesy of visiting strikers Owen Bolton and substitute player Tom Dixon.

An unexpected own goal from the Reserves opened the doors for home substitute Alistair Holder to score from a Roberts free kick, before Roberts himself scored from a 73rd minute penalty after Town man of the match that day Tom Boyle was brought down in the box.

Late February saw an altogether more convincing 3-1 midweek victory for Merrick’s men at Old School Lane, with Boyle hitting one of several hat-tricks this season even if the hosts managed to deny a clean sheet on the 66th minute.

With a 6-0 hammering of fourth place finishers Hereford Lads Club Reserves having occurred on the same new 3G pitch a month previously, with a further hat-trick from star player Boyle accompanying goals from Burns, Roberts and Ince, all the prep work appeared to have been done for Ledbury to take the cup home again after they last won it back in April 2019, when an 81st minute winner from substitute player Charlie Docherty following first-half goals from Joe Bullock and Samuel Palmer-Young achieved a memorable 3-2 victory against Holme Lacy at Westfields’ allpay.park ground.

The confidence accrued from their double league victory over Pegasus and the recent sizeable win over the Lads Club second string on the same pitch appeared to backfire on the night however, with Town seemingly failing to turn up as their opponents largely dominated the opening 45 minutes to see Evans break the deadlock on the 26th minute.

Although Walker managed to grab a goal back on the 76th minute with the aid of assistant referee Liam Brace, it was a case of too little too late after Saul Thomas had doubled the Reserves’ lead seven minutes earlier, going on to complete his brace with ten minutes to go.

With Ledbury entering the field accompanied by their young Swifts mascots as this season has seen a huge strengthening of the relationship between the two clubs, this hotly-anticipated clash in front of a sizeable crowds of supporters began with a fifth minute Pegasus free kick which was nodded clear by James Febery, before a thirty-yard Town spot kick was caught by the Reserves’ goalkeeper.

A tenth minute free kick from Miller was nodded over captain Trigg in the box, before a second spot kick from the same Ledbury striker, given by referee for the affair Adrian Rocke despite the Town skipper appearing to have been brought down within the box, saw the opposing keeper just about manage to grasp the ball away from Trigg.

A foul from Dwayne Tyndale on the quarter-hour mark saw the resulting Pegasus free kick being well-seized by James Loader while under pressure on the line, before a great challenge from Ince on the far sideline saw Asten Griffiths put the ball over the crossbar from twenty yards out.

Walker did well in midfield to get the ball to Miller on the 20th minute, before Boyle managed to win himself a corner ball which was nodded into a Reserves defender by Febery as a further Ledbury foul led to another spot kick for the opposition being struck well wide of the near post.

Tyndale missed out on performing a deflection to leave Loader, man of the match for Town after a stellar display in goal which prevented Pegasus from hitting four, five or even six that night, having to make a pivotal two-footed block, before a free kick from Roberts was struck straight at a defender.

Evans swept the ball home following some great work down the left wing by Jordan Williamson to open the scoring, before a back header from Trigg to Walker saw the younger Ledbury player being unlucky to lose possession back downfield as a solid challenge against Febery was followed by Dale Taylor putting the ball well over the bar from thirty yards out.

Boyle overcame an attempted tackle on the 36th minute to try a shot from an angle which was saved by the Reserves’ goaltender as Ince couldn’t quite get into a position to score off the rebound, before a Miller free kick saw Rocke give the ball to the red and white shirts after deeming Town’s forwards to have performed undue pushing in the box.

The controversy continued as Miller and an opposing counterpart were both booked following an altercation in midfield, as Boyle managed to stand up against a defender on the touchline only for his team mates upfront to be unable to complete the job.

Boyle tried again on the 45th minute, racing in to strike the ball over the woodwork from just outside the box, with Rocke continuing to give nothing Ledbury’s way going into stoppage time of the first period when Febery ended up on his stomach following a challenge on the far wing just outside the box.

After one last corner ball from Miller ended up in the gloves of the keeper, Pegasus missed a sitter from a well-struck cross to see Ledbury make it to the interval with no further damage, but still with all to do if they were to put the Charity Bowl back in their cabinet.

The latter half began with some good defending from Taylor as Tyndale was swapped for Pete Jeynes, and, after Boyle was brought down in physical fashion at the end of a run down the near wing to see the leaders receive a second yellow card of the game, a pause to allow a Reserves player to be treated for an injury on the field was followed by Walker nodding the ball behind the net as hearts entered the mouths of supporters wearing the black and white scarves.

Griffiths was brought off for Chris Wickham in a second change of personnel from Merrick on the 60th minute, before Loader performed a terrific save off the bar to see Pegasus strike the ball well wide of the near post on the rebound past Miller and Jeynes.

A strong 25-yard effort from Miller was met with a superb diving save from the opposing goaltender, before Thomas used great pace to take the ball through the Town defence and follow up with a brilliant strike to put Ledbury two goals down with only twenty minutes left to make up the deficit.

Walker scrambled the ball in from a corner as a flag from Brace confirmed that the ball had just snuck over the line before being clawed out by the keeper to briefly ignite hopes of a comeback, but after the Reserves blasted another ball over and Loader performed another fine save, these hopes were squashed when a second powerful strike from Thomas overcame Loader to put Town’s chances of Charity Bowl glory in jeopardy.

Ledbury battled on with less than ten minutes left on the clock, as a further contentious moment saw Rocke refuse to award a penalty to the black and white shirts, but after Pegasus took the ball round to fire it into the side netting from close range, and a final free kick from Miller made it past the defensive wall before being nodded clear, it was simply a case for the triumphant Reserves to close the game out as they celebrated winning the silverware.

Despite this disappointing climax, Town can take much solace from what has otherwise been a superb season, finishing runners-up in the Herefordshire League Premier Division after a bottom table finish last season, and having a number of great cup runs, beating a Step 7 team who are practically semi-professional, defeating a Step 6 side, and narrowly losing out to a team who were promoted to Step 5.

Tom Boyle also went on to become the Herefordshire League’s top goalscorer, pipping Hartpury’s King Baidoo to the golden boot by three goals with an impressive total of 29 balls in the back of the net.

Older brother and Ledbury Town Football Club chairman Pete Boyle summed up his first full season at the helm of the club with much enthusiasm:

“The lads have had an outstanding season. To not cap it off with a cup win is disappointing, but to have been the only team to stop Hartpury this season, knock out a Step 5 team in Lads Club and push the eventual winners close in the league above Pegasus Reserves… we couldn’t really have asked for much more.”

“The players have managed to re-engage the town of Ledbury with football, and the support our followers have given throughout all three of our teams has been amazing. We are very grateful to them as it really does help to push the lads on during those closer games.”

“On the night of the cup final, we sadly had an off-game and Pegasus were on it from the first minute, but we’ll be back next year and hopefully we can undo the wrongs of this season with a league and cup win to do the double!”

“Special thanks must go out to our cup sponsors today, James Seager at Ledbury Groundworks and Construction and Ken Jones at Waste Efficiency; our players travelled on the coach and looked great, which is all down to these valuable sponsors.”

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Leominster Town v Ledbury Town Swifts

First Swifts goalscorer Ethan French goes in to challenge an opposing player towards the near sideline on the 66th minute (📸: Chris Ponter)

Ledbury Town Swifts concluded their inaugural season in Division Two of the Herefordshire FA County League this week with a 6-3 defeat against mid-table Leominster Town at the Bridge Street Sports Centre in some of the warmest conditions seen so far this year.

Despite being reduced to just thirteen players available on the day as Ledbury Town FC chairman Pete Boyle and reserves manager David Butcher had to make appearances, there was some optimism that the Swifts could end their opening season on a high having already beaten Leominster 3-2 at the Ledbury Rugby Football Club Ross Road ground in mid-November, in a game which memorably saw the hosts achieve a first league victory of the season when goals from Mike Arlott, sixteen-year-old Jake Clueit and more seasoned substitute player Jamie Roberts outnumbered those scored by visiting strikers Ryan Botwood and Daniel Ramshaw-Evans.

Jordan Arkell and Connor Bufton both bagged braces for Leominster on this occasion, with Botwood and Ramshaw-Evans again on target for the hosts as a disastrous start for the Swifts saw the opposition go 3-0 up before 25 minutes of play had elapsed.

Ethan French managed to grab a goal back from a Nick Bolton free kick literally right before the half-time whistle was blown by referee for the affair Simon Gibson, before the visitors put themselves in with a chance of pulling off an extraordinary comeback when Jake Bramley and Bolton both found the net within six minutes of the second period starting.

The major turnaround just wasn’t to be however, as the opposition’s greater pace and air superiority gave them two further goals during a latter half of play which culminated in a particularly lengthy period of stoppage time which gave the yellow and black shirts the extra minutes they needed to hit six.

Leominster’s first goal into the top corner occurred less than two minutes from the starting whistle as an opening twenty-yard effort from Bramley went wide of the near post back downfield, before a ball from Boyle under pressure from two defenders on the near wing bounced a little too awkwardly for both Bramley and Dave Feakins in the box as the home goalkeeper leapt up to make the catch.

Ledbury third string keeper Sam Billingham, standing in for Swifts caretaker manager Nick Blakeway on the day, made a good diving save on the ninth minute only for the opposition to put away a second goal on the rebound, before Bolton called for the ball on the far wing, receiving his request as the reserves captain put a great ball into the box which was nodded over the touchline by a Leominster defender away from both Bramley and Feakins.

The corner ball delivered by Alex Berry met the head of another member of the home back-line, before a good 20th minute run from Brad Potter saw the visiting man of the match that afternoon not quite being able to produce a cross while under pressure from two pursuing defenders as the opposition completed their treble on the cusp of a first drinks break ordered by Gibson in the heat.

A first Leominster substitution saw Potter being brought down on the far wing by the same two defenders, with the free kick from Berry being struck just over the bar to bounce off the top netting as the half-hour mark saw Bramley put a great ball through to Potter in front of him, only for the young reserves winger to put the ball wide of the near post.

A potential fourth first-half goal for the hosts was denied through an offside flag being raised from the far sideline as a good effort from Bramley from the corner of the box was met with a diving save from the opposing keeper which was fumbled over the touchline, before the second corner ball from Berry came off a combination of heads from his side and the opposition in the box to end up with the Leominster goaltender.

Bolton and French had to battle to keep the ball out back upfield as Billingham eventually managed to claim the ball on the ground, with a 40th minute cross from the hosts seeing no yellow shirts being present in the box to receive it as Harry Millis cleared the ball for a corner.

The hosts missed a one-touch opportunity from the set-piece as Bolton struck the ball clear to the far sideline for a throw-in, before Potter again raced away on the break only for his cross to meet a defender in the box.

After Bramley struck the ball well over the woodwork from 25 yards out however, he was brought down by the opposing captain to see French’s foot met Bolton’s well-taken free kick and reduce the visitors’ goal deficit on the half-time whistle.

Clueit was brought on for Feakins over the break as the latter player retired having finished the Ledbury third string’s top goalscorer this season with five goals scored in total, before Bramley and Bolton’s goals scored in quick succession suddenly put the Swifts back in contention after such a poor start.

Billingham then managed to stop a ball which had been inadvertently kicked towards him by Sam Booth, before a further Leominster corner was denied through a Bolton header in front of Billingham as Bolton himself was then brought down in the Ledbury box with nothing being given by Gibson.

The official then saw things the Swifts’ way however, awarding a free kick when Potter was felled on the near wing, before Bramley put a direct effort over the bar from twenty yards out.

The hosts gained a clear shot at goal back downfield only to mishit the ball and put it wide of the near post, before restoring their lead with a superb effort out of the blue on the 60th minute from just outside the box.

A second drinks break saw Gibson overrule an offside flag shown by a substituted Feakins running the far sideline as the Bridge Street outfit chose to make a second change of personnel on the 75th minute, before one of their attackers made a run down the near wing with French in hot pursuit, managing to produce a back-cross into the box as Bolton nodded the ball out for a corner which was headed to be seized by Billingham.

A fifth Leominster goal was disallowed by the referee, this time agreeing with an offside flag shown by Feakins although not without having words with an aggrieved home dugout, Boyle and Feakins himself as the match was halted for a good few minutes, before a Leominster forward managed to take the ball round Booth to see Billingham perform a great save in blocking the shot with both feet.

After Potter re-entered the fray for French, Millis eventually managed to clear the ball away following a scramble in the box, only for it to be fed back in to allow an opposing striker to play the ball past Billingham and coolly slot it home to restore his side’s two-goal buffer on the 85th minute.

The hosts then chose to make a final substitution as one of their players retired with an injury despite the Gibson deeming on-the-pitch physio from the Leominster manager unnecessary, before Billingham pulled off a further two great blocks from the ground as French struck the ball well wide of the target back across field.

Butcher replaced Bramley as the match entered the extended period of stoppage time, with good pressure from Booth in the box forcing a corner as Billingham leapt to try and make the catch, with Bolton being given the goal kick regardless as a great thirty-yard effort from the hosts was well-caught by Billingham.

Bolton jockeyed an opposing forward on the edge of the box, only for the ball to eventually be put through to see a Leominster striker mishit the ball at first before scuffing it in off the far post for his side’s sixth and final goal of the affair, before the closing minutes witnessed further controversy when the official agreed with an offside flag raised by French, much to the disagreement of the home dugout.

Despite the loss, Boyle had nothing but praise for his club’s third outfit on the day:

“It was a tough game against a good side. We had to scramble around just to get a squad together on the day with it being the last game of the season for the Swifts, but the lads who played were an absolute credit to both the club and themselves.”

“Many teams would have simply folded at 3-0 down in the heat that day with nothing to really play for near the foot of the table, but the lads dug in, got themselves back in the game, and it was only a few moments of quality from Leominster combined with some older tired legs on our part which let us down really.”

“We’ve got an exciting team, who I’m sure will finish nowhere near the bottom of the league next season.”

The Swifts were spared a bottom table finish to conclude their first season in the Herefordshire League, after basement boys Tenbury United concluded their season with a 4-2 loss away at final third place holders Fownhope Reserves a few days after Leominster’s win over the Ledbury third string, with Credenhill finishing tenth level on points with the Swifts but with a narrow two-goal disadvantage after forfeiting their final game also against Fownhope away.

Ledbury’s new third team this season, formed as a result of a much-strengthened relationship with the Swifts Junior Football Club which has also seen junior Swifts mascots accompanying Town first team players out on to the field for the big cup occasions, has also brought with it the distinction of Ledbury Town Football Club being the only team in the Herefordshire League to field three separate teams across all three divisions this season, with the new Swifts’ men’s side enabling a new crop of young players to experience their first taste of senior level football.

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Ledbury Town Reserves v Worcester United

Ben Miller takes a tenth minute free kick to the right of the two-man wall of opposing defenders, watched by reserves manager David Butcher and substitute players Alistair Holder, Pete Jeynes and James Kenny from the home dugout (📸: Chris Ponter)

Ledbury Town Reserves scored a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Worcester United during a Wednesday evening encounter at New Street this week in a penultimate Herefordshire FA County League Division One game of the season, with Tom Boyle picking up yet another hat-trick as Nathan Ince bagged a brace.

David Butcher’s squad had already recorded a 3-3 draw against the current league third place holders at the Jewry Field in early October, when a Tom Skittery brace and a further goal from Jack Dandy equalled the goals scored by Worcester’s Matthew Gardner, Rhys Turberfield and Arron Windsor.

For this latest clash between the two sides, the Ledbury outfit were bolstered by a number of first team players on the night, eager to clock up further game time to prepare for the hotly-anticipated Herefordshire FA Charity Bowl cup final against Hereford Pegasus Reserves at the County Ground in a week’s time, with the senior Town side’s Herefordshire League Premier Division season having already finished three weeks ago with a 2-0 home defeat to league champions Hartpury University to nevertheless see Ian Merrick’s high-flying squad finish runners-up in the league.

This latest fixture, rearranged after a day of wet weather back in mid-March created a waterlogged pitch at New Street, saw Town take the lead after barely two minutes of play through Boyle scoring his first of three, before Ince to found one half of his double on the 37th minute.

A United comeback could have been on the cards when Calum Morgan found the net with a great effort ten minutes into the second period, even if the possibility of a turnaround was soon put to bed over the course of the next 25 minutes as Boyle completed his treble, with the closing moments seeing Ince score the hosts’ fifth.

Boyle’s opener came via a superb cross from Dwayne Tyndale at the edge of the box, enabling the opportunistic Ledbury striker to leap in and put the ball away, before a tenth minute first Town free kick from Miller was struck in front of the home dugout to travel right of the two-man wall of visiting defenders to rebound out of the area.

Local referee for the occasion Liam Brace turned a blind eye when Boyle was obstructed at the edge of the box, as a cross from George Walker on the far wing came off the knee of Ince charging into the box to see the ball knocked just shy of the far post.

A second free kick from Miller came off senior Ledbury captain Tom Trigg to be cleared by the opposing defence, with Boyle putting a 25th minute effort over the crossbar from eighteen yards out as a superb run from Ince, staying strong against a number of defenders while racing into the box, ended with the pacy first team forward firing the ball wide of the target from a challenging angle.

A controversial offside flag was shown by the Worcester linesman running the near sideline as Walker ran the ball out towards the far corner flag on the half-hour mark, before Tyndale battled through the United defence, only for the visiting goalkeeper to eventually manage to claim the ball.

A 35th minute challenge from Scott Roberts felled an opposing midfielder with Brace giving nothing despite Worcester protests, with one of their strikers then falling to produce an impromptu two-footed cross-shot from towards the near wing which deflected off Tyndale for a corner ball.

The set-piece was cleanly caught by Ledbury first team keeper James Loader, before an unusual turn of events witnessed the ball finding its way over the United goaltender’s head while off his line, leaving Ince with the simple task of running in behind him and slotting the ball home as an honest visiting linesman refused to raise the flag, despite his team-mates believing that an offside infringement had occurred.

A superb 40th minute corner ball from Miller came off the head of Boyle to rattle the far post, before the latter Town marksman ran through an open midfield to be flagged offside by the opposing linesman as a Worcester striker put the ball narrowly wide of the near post back upfield in a squandered chance to grab a goal back before the interval.

The closing minutes of the first period saw Ince storm down the near wing once more to be eventually foiled by two defenders, giving possession to Miller who knocked the ball well wide of the woodwork, and, after United struck the far post, Walker was unlucky to stumble while embarking on a late run towards the edge of the box with a defender in tow as Boyle ran in to recover the ball and fire it narrowly over the bar.

The latter half of play began with Chris Wickham clearing the ball over the touchline on the near wing to see the resulting corner ball being just about palmed clear at the near post by Loader, before Trigg performed a further good deflection over the touchline in the box to see a further two corner ball opportunities for the visitors culminate in Loader making the catch.

Morgan Skidmore and Wickham were brought off for Pete Jeynes and Curt Williams in a double home substitution on the 50th minute as Morgan fired the ball home from the edge of the six-yard box for his side’s first and only goal of the evening, and after Alistair Holder came on for Asten Griffiths in a further home change of personnel, a free kick from the opposition was nodded just wayward of the far post as they sought an equalizer.

Boyle was brought down on a run up the far wing with Brace seeing no cause to sanction Worcester, but after James Kenny replaced Miller, the referee judged Jeynes to have committed a foul on the near wing as the ensuing free kick again failed to provide United with a crucial second goal as it was headed well wide of the target.

After the visitors made a substitution of their own with 25 minutes to go, their numerous missed opportunities were punished when Boyle found his second, before a further change of players for the away outfit saw Holder and Jeynes work well together towards the far wing in order to block an advance from the visitors, enabling Ince to charge away on the break upfield only to play the ball too far forward as a defender took possession.

A third substitution for the blue shirts in the space of ten minutes was followed by a further run from Ince which saw a good effort being saved just off the line by the opposing goaltender, with the ball going on to be passed around the box before it eventually reached Walker at the near post, whose shot was deflected not far off the line by a quick-thinking defender.

A Worcester long cross from the near wing saw no-one being available to receive it on the opposite side of the field, with United continuing to try and claw the game back with an effort which was put just over the frame and a further 25-yard strike which snuck just wide of the near post.

Boyle then gained possession back upfield however, calmly taking the ball into the box and waiting for the right moment to slot the ball past the keeper to complete a further hat-trick this season, with Wickham returning to the field to replace a struggling Tyndale for the final ten minutes.

Walker again just missed out on getting his name on the scoresheet, narrowly missing out on connecting with a cross from Ince with his outstretched foot while running in at the near post, before a Ledbury free kick lead to Ince striking the ball wide of the near post as Boyle volleyed the ball into the keeper.

A final free kick from the visitors was nodded clear by Holder in the box, and, after Williams was caught out with a late offside flag, Brace gave Town their final spot kick of the night after an apparent 50/50 challenge towards the near corner flag, as Ince closed the game off in style by firing the ball off the far post and in to secure a comfortable win.

The reserves, certain now to finish eighth in the table, have a final game of the season on Saturday 14th May again at New Street against Tenbury Town, who occupy the spot just above them (KO 2:30pm).

Butcher’s young side will be aiming to do better than what was possibly their worst performance of the season against Tenbury at the Brimfield and Little Hereford Sports Club at the end of March, being defeated 3-1 as Walker’s stoppage time goal was of scant consolation following earlier goals scored by home strikers Callum Gittens, James Lort and Jack Moran.

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Ledbury Town Swifts v Credenhill

Sam Billingham produces a good 58th minute clearance from upfield to keep the ball away from an opposing forward (📸: Chris Ponter)

A shock 4-2 defeat to Herefordshire FA County League Division Two basement boys Credenhill at a breezy New Street has plunged Ledbury Town Swifts into a late battle to avoid finishing bottom of the table to conclude their inaugural season.

The last meeting between the Ledbury third string and Credenhill ended in a 1-1 draw as substitute player Dan Powell scored the only goal for the Swifts, but a narrow 3-2 loss incurred away against fourth place holders Wellington Colts the previous weekend, undone only by a last-minute penalty from Taylor Barnfield following a Michael Olive brace as Clayton Hodges and Joel Skyers found the goals for visitors, meant that Nick Blakeway’s squad entered this penultimate game of the season with some optimism for a fifth league win.

Despite a very promising start, as a great Brad Potter finish met a superb cross from Phil Davis to put the black and white shirts ahead after just eleven minutes of play, some extremely poor defending allowed Credenhill to obliterate Ledbury’s early advantage, scoring no fewer than three times in the space of just six minutes.

Although history repeated itself, with the visitors being sent down to ten men later in the second period as was the case at Roman Park back in late November, with one of their midfielders being shown yellow twice in quick succession for dissent following two earlier bookings incurred by his team-mates, a latter-half goal from Dave Feakins wasn’t enough to recover the situation after the opposition bagged a fourth on the 67th minute.

The affair began with Phil Davis being brought down to see an opening free kick from seasoned Swifts man of the match that day Jamie Roberts being cleared by the Credenhill defence, before a first corner ball from the star home player that afternoon was nodded wide of the target by Ethan French.

A fifth minute spot kick taken by visiting captain Sean Arrowsmith was cleared by Sam Billingham, before a cross-shot from Sam Branch was saved by the opposing goalkeeper as a free kick taken upfield by the reserves striker, putting in a shift for his club’s third string on the day owing to his usual side having no game that weekend, was put wide of the near post.

Kai Davis then struck the ball well wide of the woodwork while under pressure from the Credenhill defence in the box, before Phil Davis’ terrific assist allowed Potter to find the net in decisive fashion as the wedding bells sounding at the church up the road provided an appropriate soundtrack to the celebratory atmosphere at New Street.

The Swifts’ jubilant mood proved to be extremely short-lived however, when a visiting forward overcame Will Brandreth in front of goal, slotting the ball to clip off the near post and over the line to equalize in the space of four minutes, before a second free kick from Arrowsmith, awarded after the skipper was felled through a late challenge from Roberts in midfield towards the far wing, travelled wide of the far post.

A nightmarish three minutes then occurred for the hosts when a cross-shot from the opposition made it under both Blakeway in goal and Brandreth to roll over the line, before Credenhill swiftly broke through again, with their striker remaining calm under pressure in front of goal with Brandreth just behind him to produce a controlled finish past Blakeway to suddenly put Ledbury at a two-goal deficit.

A 26th minute corner ball from Arrowsmith was nodded out of the box before being returned to the near wing, as the younger of the Davis duo managed to keep the ball against two visiting attackers and pass it on to his more experienced team-mate, who cleared the ball up to Branch to see the reserves regular make a run up the far wing and volley the ball upfield, although with none of his team-mates being available to receive it.

The ball then came off the foot of the elder of the Swifts’ Davis partnership surrounded by three defenders as the opposing keeper dived to make the deflection at the far post for a corner, before the temperature on the pitch increased when Credenhill picked up their first yellow card of the game for taking a free kick before the whistle was blown, as the official instead handed the spot kick to Sam Booth.

A throw-in and a subsequent corner ball from Arrowsmith was headed clear by French with Roberts striking the post back upfield, before a second 40th minute booking incurred by the visitors saw them take the ball round both Brandreth and French in the box, as it was left to Booth to fire the ball just shy of the far post for another corner for the opposition.

A final first-period free kick from Arrowsmith came off the group of players on the edge of the box to be palmed just clear by Blakeway, before two closing Credenhill corner balls concluded in them volleying the ball well over the bar from 25 yards out.

A troubled home outfit, in contrast to a buoyed visiting side remaining outside to enjoy the sunshine retired to the changing room over the interval, no doubt with much to discuss after a disastrous six minutes undid their early lead.

A 3-5-2 formation was adopted by Ledbury, with Brandreth coming off for young newcomer this season Harry Millis as the second period began with a free kick from Roberts which made it over the sizeable four-man wall of opposing defenders before flying over the woodwork, before pressure from the Credenhill defence forced an effort from Hodges to be deflected wide as the resulting corner ball met the head of Branch to be caught by the visiting goaltender.

The 50th minute saw the referee give the Swifts a further spot kick after an opposing midfielder clipped Hodges in the foot, with the official beginning to grow weary over continued Credenhill protests as the set-piece was struck by Branch directly into the gloves of the visiting keeper.

A solid clearance from Billingham saw Kai Davis come off for Ethan Cox in a second change of personnel from home reserves manager David Butcher, manning the Ledbury dugout for Blakeway during his side’s break from footballing action, as a corner ball from Roberts gave the Swifts a prime opportunity to claw a goal back as French charged in to the box to just miss the finish.

Phil Davis, suffering from cramp was then sportingly helped off-field by Arrowsmith and another opposing player as Feakins came on to replace him, and, after Roberts was flagged offside by the substituted Credenhill keeper running the near sideline, things went from bad to worse for the hosts when a strike from the visitors beat both French and Blakeway to leave Ledbury with the stern task of scoring three goals in the twenty minutes which remained if they were to claim at least a further point against the basement boys.

A glimmer of hope occurred for the Swifts just two minutes later when a further free kick from Roberts lead to a scramble for the ball around the near post involving the opposing goaltender, Feakins, Millis and Potter, as it was the hosts’ latest substitute player who eventually tapped the ball in with one of his first touches of the game, before a 72nd minute Credenhill corner ball met the foot of French at the far post, sending the ball out of the box to be played back in by a visiting forward before Booth ended the threat with a well-timed challenge.

A further free kick from Roberts on the near wing took a slight deflection off the shoulder of Arrowsmith forming one half of the two-man wall to be headed over the woodwork by Millis under pressure in the box, before Feakins went on a run directly downfield only to see the visiting goaltender reach the ball first as allegations of shirt-pulling from Arrowsmith against the Ledbury striker went ignored by the referee.

The double-booking for the Swifts’ opponents saw Kai Davis re-enter the action for Potter for the final ten minutes, with Arrowsmith being given a goal kick after his keeper used both fists to punch away an aerial effort but was brought down by Branch in the process of performing the deflection.

Good late defending from Billingham saw him nod an effort away before managing to intercept and clear the ball over the near sideline, and, after one final free kick from Roberts taken near the home dugout bounced off the top netting, stoppage time saw Blakeway proceed downfield to take a last spot kick which was nodded the wrong way by Branch in the box as Millis put one last chance to reduce the deficit wide of the target.

Blakeway was gutted with his side’s latest defeat, commenting after the game:

“It was a brilliant first 25 minutes from the team, passing the ball round nicely, creating chances and winning all the 50/50 opportunities, but five minutes of madness with some very poor defending cost us the game.”

“After they equalized, Credenhill showed more desire through winning all the challenges, and the level of commitment in our defending as well as our off-the-ball presence just wasn’t good enough for the remainder of the first half of play.”

“We changed formation to 3-5-2 for the second period to try and force the issue, but still didn’t create enough chances from midfield. We lacked determination, commitment, sensible game management particularly after taking the lead from early on, as well as the desire to win the 50/50s.”

“Credenhill were the better side, showing more desire to turn things around even when they weren’t playing as well and the run of the game was going against them, and this is what made them winners on the day. Simply put, they grinded things out, whereas we simply folded.”

“I’m embarrassed and upset over the result; in fact after the half-hour mark it was probably our worst performance of the season. The game was very winnable, being in the palm of our hands from very early on.”

Credenhill’s win finally lifts them off the bottom of the table at this very late stage of the season, exactly level with the Swifts on goal difference as their final two fixtures of the season away to Fownhope Reserves and Dore Valley over the coming week mean that the Ledbury third string must seek to either win or draw their last match of the season against mid-table Leominster Town at the Bridge Street Sports Centre in a fortnight’s time (KO 2:30pm) if they are to avoid finishing at the foot of the table to conclude their first season in the Herefordshire League.

Tenbury United Colts now hold the bottom spot, although still have a concluding league game to play away against the Fownhope second string in an evening fixture due to take place on Tuesday 10th May.

The Swifts did record a second memorable victory of the season against Leominster at the Ledbury Rugby Football Club Ross Road ground a week before the first Credenhill encounter with a 3-2 win, when Mike Arlott scored the first goal for the hosts through a bullet-header in the box to finish a well-taken free kick from Nat Dunk, as sixteen-year-old Jake Clueit went on to score his first goal at senior-level football with the help of team-mates Jude Locker and Samuel Palmer-Young upfront.

Roberts scored his first goal for Ledbury Town Football Club in over twenty years to seal the win through a superb through-ball produced by Swifts man of the match Callum Blackmore-Davey, as Ryan Botwood and Daniel Ramshaw-Evans picked up the goals for the visitors.

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Ledbury Town Reserves v Kington Town Reserves

Ledbury man of the match Zak Bonfield leaves his line to palm away a 28th minute Kington corner ball as Morgan Skidmore is shown leaping in front of him, with team-mates Alex Berry, Elliot Watts and James Kenny all being shown in the box behind them (📸: Chris Ponter)

After a wait of exactly six weeks since their impressive 3-1 victory over Hinton Reserves at Broomy Hill back at the start of March in Division One of the Herefordshire FA County League, Ledbury Town Reserves finally achieved a long-awaited win at New Street this week in front of a sizeable crowd of spectators on a sunny Easter Bank Holiday weekend, clinching a 2-1 win against mid-table rivals Kington Town Reserves.

David Butcher’s side had been plagued by misfortune over recent weeks, recording only home draws against Tenbury United and Hereford Pegasus Colts to lift the four away losses suffered away against Burghill Rangers, Tenbury Town, Holme Lacy Reserves and the most recent 2-1 defeat to Ross Juniors HCL, and so a morale-boosting win against a side who beat them 5-2 away at Mill Street towards the end of September was an extremely welcome prospect with only two home games left to play this season.

A Tom Crichton treble was accompanied by goals from booked team-mate Harry Bowen and Sam Roberts during the last encounter between the Ledbury and Kington second strings, with an own goal from the hosts occurring on the 67th minute after Sam Branch found the net for the visitors three minutes before the interval, and although this latest clash between the two sides wasn’t quite as much of a goal-fest, smiles were soon put on the faces of home supporters when first team forward Morgan Skidmore found the net after just twelve minutes of play.

Jack Gittoes equalized on the half-hour mark despite a superb block from Ledbury man of the match for a second consecutive game Zak Bonfield, before Jake Bramley went on to score both his first New Street goal and a long-awaited first mark on the scoresheet of the season since the hat-trick scored away at Burghill in the quarter-finals of the Ross Cup competition at The Copse back at the start of December.

Despite Kington threatening several times through close efforts and set-pieces during the final twenty minutes, a combination of the crossbar, further terrific work from Bonfield on the line and sheer good fortune eventually enabled Butcher’s young squad to walk away with a thoroughly-earned three points.

The hosts were on the attack almost immediately from referee Derek Smith’s starting whistle as an opening effort from George Walker was sent over the bar upfield, before a twenty-yard first free kick from the visitors was nodded clear of the box by James Kenny.

The same Ledbury defender made another decisive move on the tenth minute in charging out towards the near sideline to deflect the ball away for a throw-in to the opposition, before a good Kington cross from the far wing was nodded over the woodwork by a visiting forward.

Skidmore’s opener very nearly witnessed his opponents returning the scoreline to a level state barely a minute later if not for Bonfield performing the first of many fine saves that afternoon in leaping up to palm a great effort over the frame, with the three consecutive Kington corner balls which followed also failing to provide the visitors with a swift equalizer as the slew of set-pieces concluded with Bonfield safely seizing the ball.

Kenny went in hot pursuit of a visiting striker just after the quarter-hour mark, performing a physical challenge which sent him over his opposing target man on the touchline as Smith chose to give a goal kick to Bonfield, and, after a further Kington strike went wide of the far post, Smith ordered a brief drinks break for both sides as temperatures hovered around twenty degrees for the first time this year.

The interlude was quickly followed by Bonfield racing towards the edge of the box to fire the ball away from an incoming visiting attacker, before Walker’s strong effort back upfield came off the opposing defender leaping in front of him, with the ball ending up with Dwayne Tyndale whose strike performed while under pressure was denied by the keeper as the hosts’ first team defender couldn’t quite make anything of the second rebound.

Ledbury captain Jai Smallwood then chased down the same Kington striker twice into the box around the 25th minute, forcing the visiting player to put the ball over the bar on the first occasion as the second assault saw a cross being just about intercepted in front of a further opposing forward by Curt Williams with Kenny being on hand to make the clearance.

Two further Kington corner balls ended with Bonfield leaping out to strike the ball away with his palm, before a visiting attacker managed to break through in the box to see the busy home goaltender make a superb block with his knees, only for his work to be unjustly rewarded when Gittoes seized the opportunity to charge in and fire the rebound squarely into the top right-hand corner of the net to level the score.

An injured Smallwood had to be replaced by sixteen-year-old Jake Clueit in an earlier-than-expected first Ledbury substitution on the 34th minute, before a free kick from Williams was apprehended from Tyndale at the far post by the opposing keeper as two Kington spot kicks couldn’t provide them with a second goal to take the lead with Tyndale and Williams both defending well in the box.

Smith had words with both Skidmore and a visiting midfielder as the match started to become that ever so slightly more heated on the far wing under the warm spring sunshine, and, after further great defending from Tyndale kept the home outfit safe in and around the box, returning Ledbury defender Elliot Watts made a sliding challenge over the far sideline in front of the home dugout to give a further throw-in to the opposition.

Clueit fed a great ball upfield to Walker moments before Smith blew the half-time whistle as the twenty-year-old’s effort from towards the near wing provided the Kington goaltender with a relatively easy save, with George Hackman being swapped for Brad Potter over the break as the second period began almost instantly with a free kick from Williams taken a few yards outside the box on the far wing being deflected over the touchline by a Kington defender near the far post.

The resulting corner ball was again delivered by Williams to be cleared in the box by the visitors before being sent over the neighbouring cemetery wall by the west Herefordshire outfit, and, after Bonfield made another fantastic diving save back upfield, a superb corner ball from Williams met the head of Bramley to bag a long-awaited goal for the Ledbury regular.

Alex Berry then performed a strong decisive challenge in front of the away dugout, with Smith calling another breather for fluids on the 65th minute as an invigorated Bramley won the ball from an opposing player in midfield, sending his rival to the floor in the process as Bonfield went on to make another comfortable save up at the far end.

Bramley was brought off for Phil Davis in a third substitution from Butcher as twenty minutes remained for Kington to find their badly-needed equalizer, with a further 25-yard free kick from Williams ending up with the keeper at the far post as a corner ball from the home first team regular couldn’t quite be finished by Potter in the box.

The visitors squandered a further great chance to restore the stalemate shortly before Hackman had to unexpectedly return to the action with fifteen minutes left on the clock, taking over from an injured Skidmore as Ledbury’s opening goalscorer that afternoon required spray treatment on the pitch from Butcher on his back, with Bonfield denying his opponents upfield yet again before the hosts received a major let-off when Kington rattled the bar on the follow-up from a well-taken corner ball which was nodded out of the box.

Ledbury headers dealt with further corner balls struck by the visitors as the game entered its final five minutes, with good jockeying from Potter on the near side of the box upfield leading to a potential late goal for the yellow and black shirts being denied through an offside flag being displayed by Bramley on linesman duties for the hosts on the far sideline.

A final free kick from the Mill Street outfit made it past the three-man wall of Hackman, Berry and Clueit just inside the box, with the set-piece being denied only through a superb diving save from Bonfield to palm the ball clear at the near post.

Ledbury continued to hang on till the bitter end as a last chance saloon corner ball from the opposition was nodded clear by Watts, calling out and leaping up against a Kington forward as the rebound effort met the head of Tyndale to enable the hosts to celebrate a long-overdue eighth league win of the season after so much bad luck and misfortune, most notably against Pegasus Colts last Wednesday evening when a David Solway header from a final corner ball after six minutes of stoppage time levelled the earlier 55th minute goal scored by Potter.

Butcher was over the moon with the win his side have waited so long for:

“Finally, the lads got what they deserved after the last few results, really having something to show for all of their hard work.”

“The match against Kington was a good game of football, with both sides battling well. I do think we owe a lot to Zak however for keeping us in the running for the three points with some fine saves.”

“We have two games left both at home, and so hopefully we can now pick up six points from those.”

Despite the defeat, Kington retain a seven-point gap as well as a game in hand to keep Butcher’s young squad locked to a seventh place finish at best by the end of the season, but the Ledbury second string can still aim to finish the season strongly with the added home advantage over current second-place holders Worcester United, whom they will entertain in a rescheduled Wednesday evening fixture on 4th May (KO 7:30pm), as well as eighth-placed Tenbury Town, who will be the reserves’ final opponents of the season at New Street the following Saturday (KO 2:30pm).

Before the original home fixture against Worcester was postponed just over four weeks ago, when a very wet Wednesday created a waterlogged pitch at Ledbury’s historic ground, the reserves last drew 3-3 to United back in early October at the Jewry Field, when goals from home strikers Matthew Gardner, Rhys Turberfield and Arron Windsor equalled the brace scored by Tom Skittery and the additional goal from Jack Dandy.

The first meeting of the season against Tenbury Town only three weeks ago at the Brimfield and Little Hereford Sports Club saw the Ledbury second string defeated 3-1 in what was possibly their worst performance of the season, with Walker’s stoppage time goal being of scant consolation following earlier goals scored by home strikers Callum Gittens, James Lort and Jack Moran.

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Wellington Colts v Ledbury Town Swifts

Wellington Colts and Ledbury Town Swifts prepare for their second meeting in Division Two of the Herefordshire FA County League over on the secondary pitch at Wellington’s ground (📸: Leo Blakeway)

Ledbury Town Swifts were cruelly denied a well-earned draw against one of the better sides of Division Two of the Herefordshire FA County League this week, suffering a 3-2 defeat away against current fourth place holders Wellington Colts during a dramatic afternoon of football which saw the Swifts’ Dan Powell having to leave the field by ambulance after suffering a serious injury just five minutes into the proceedings, as it was only a Taylor Barnfield penalty scored at the eleventh hour which handed the Wellington third string the win.

A fortnight’s break from footballing action had given the Swifts a good chance to recuperate following their fourth win of the season at a well-attended New Street against lowly Dore Valley, when first-half goals from Kai Davis and Samuel Palmer-Young were enough to overcome the sole goal scored during the latter period by visiting striker Matthew Hancock after one of his team-mates succumbed to a serious ankle injury to see former Ledbury first team joint-manager and veteran defender Pat Locke kindly don an orange shirt to allow the game to continue after the 25th minute.

Indeed, this latest close result is testament to just how far the new Ledbury third string have come during only their first season in the Herefordshire League, having previously been beaten 5-1 by Wellington during only the third game of the season towards the end of September at the Ledbury Rugby Football Club Ross Road ground as the Swifts’ only goal of the day was scored by substitute player Dan Fish.

As was the case the last time the two sides met, the Colts had already gone two goals up by half-time, although this time through a Michael Olive brace as Powell was only taken to hospital on the run-up to the interval after incurring a suspected dislocated knee cap, which was later confirmed to be a full sever of the patella tendon.

Buoyed on by the urgency created by the two-goal deficit and the untimely exit of one of their key experienced players, the second period saw far more of a fight from the valiant visitors, which was suly rewarded through Clayton Hodges striking the ball into the bottom corner of the net from twenty yards out.

As the hosts appeared to run out of steam going into the latter stages of the game, a terrific 80th minute free kick from Ledbury man of the match Joel Skyers took a slight deflection into the top corner of the target to put a stricken Swifts outfit in with a chance of gaining at least a point for their efforts, only for Barnfield’s spot kick to deny the draw in the cruellest possible fashion.

Olive’s opener came from a long punt over the top which was returned to result in a simple finish, with Swifts caretaker manager Nick Blakeway managing to block a later effort only for the home brace-scorer that day to tap the rebound in and complete his double.

A late Colts free kick was struck over the sizeable five-man Ledbury wall to come off the gloves of Blakeway, as a follow-up effort on the rebound was struck to deflect off a Swifts defender to safety, before Sam Booth went to clear the ball during the closing minute of the game, only for the leather to come off his hand as referee for the affair Simon Gibson pointed to the penalty spot to result in Barnfield sending Blakeway the wrong way.

The temporary Ledbury third string boss was crushed by the result, but at the same time was extremely proud of his team’s noble effort on the day:

“It was a very spirited second-half performance, with the lads digging in deep and capitalizing on a home side who were tiring noticeably over the last 25 minutes.”

“The penalty was a cruel hammer blow, and I feel that a point would have been more than deserved for our efforts.”

“Standout performances were from man of the match Joel, with Khayd running him very close after a very strong game at the back as Clayton and Jasper Wilce also had great afternoons on the field.”

“It is looking likely that Dan will be very sadly hanging up his boots after this weekend. He has already had the operation to fuse his patella tendon back together, but it will still be a long road back for him.”

“I, and no doubt all at Ledbury Town Football Club, are keen to wish Dan as speedy a recovery as is possible, and we would like to thank him for his many years of dedication on the pitch for our club.”

A surprise 4-1 victory for Dore Valley over current league seventh place holders Belmont Rangers at the Seven Site the same day, with goals from booked forward Reece Leask, Aden Morgan, Jonathan Price and Alexander Turnbull-Simpson outnumbering the sole consolation goal scored by visiting player Zoltan-Elek Gidofalvi, drops the Swifts a place to ninth in the table, remaining level with Dore on points although with a six-goal disadvantage as the Ledbury third string have two further league games left to play, hosting Credenhill at New Street this coming weekend before visiting the Bridge Street Sports Centre a fortnight later for a second and final game of the season against mid-table Leominster Town (both games KO 2:30pm).

A 1-1 draw occurred against the current league basement boys at Roman Park towards the end of November when Powell, coming on as a substitute player for the Swifts, found the sole goal for the visitors as Mike Arlott was named man of the match for the Ledbury third string for a solid defensive display.

The Swifts recorded a memorable second victory of the season against Leominster at the Ross Road ground a week before the Credenhill draw in the form of a 3-2 win, with Arlott scoring the first goal for the hosts through a bullet-header in the box to finish a well-taken free kick from Nat Dunk, as sixteen-year-old Jake Clueit went on to score his first goal at senior-level football with the help of team-mates Jude Locker and Palmer-Young upfront.

Veteran player Jamie Roberts scored his first goal for Ledbury Town Football Club in over twenty years to seal the win through a superb through-ball produced by Swifts man of the match Callum Blackmore-Davey, with Ryan Botwood and Daniel Ramshaw-Evans picking up the goals for Leominster.

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Shobdon v Ledbury Town

Ledbury Town’s second re-arranged visit to Shobdon in the Herefordshire FA County League Premier Division was once again postponed this weekend on account of the hosts being unable to field a side.

The original opening game between Ledbury and the the league’s basement boys on the very first day of the current season was cancelled on account of no referee being available at their airfield-based venue, with the first re-scheduled date at the aerodrome pitch being postponed back in mid-February owing to the numerous waterlogged pitches created by Storm Eunice.

The first scheduled New Street meeting between the two teams was then postponed three weeks ago again owing to the visitors being unable to raise a side.

Despite not locking horns with Shobdon in league play so far this season, Town had already recorded a stunning 11-2 thrashing of the bottom table holders during a bitterly cold Charity Bowl cup quarter-final fixture at their airfield venue back in late November, when Ben Miller struck four, twenty-year old George Walker found his first hat-trick at senior level football with the aid of two penalties, and James Febery, captain Tom Trigg, Scott Roberts and reserves striker Sam Branch all added to the illustrious Ledbury tally on the day.

With Ian Merrick’s high-flying side having regained the second place spot in the league thanks to a 6-1 demolition of upper table rivals Hereford Lads Club Reserves at the Herefordshire FA County Ground last weekend, which saw first-half goals from Josh Burns, Scott Roberts and Nathan Ince followed in the second period by yet another hat-trick this season from prolific striker Tom Boyle as Jack Harding denied the clean sheet with a sole Lads Club consolation goal scored on the 63rd minute, it remains to be seen whether both outstanding fixtures between Ledbury and Shobdon will still be played so close to the end of the season, or whether Town will simply be handed the points.

This decision could prove critical over whether Merrick’s men finish the season as runners-up, with Hereford Pegasus Reserves still remaining in contention a single point below Ledbury with a crucial game still to play against lowly Holme Lacy at Old School Lane on Saturday 30th April (KO 2:30pm).

In the meantime, Shobdon’s latest cancellation means that Town are now out of action until their hotly-anticipated Herefordshire FA Charity Bowl cup final clash against none other than Pegasus Reserves at the County Ground on Wednesday 11th May (KO 7:45pm).

Ledbury made it to this season’s final after comfortably seeing off Holme Lacy with a 4-0 win at New Street in the first round back in early October with goals from Boyle, Burns, Ince and Miller, before their quarter-final victory over Shobdon led to a stunning 5-3 victory on penalties at New Street over now-confirmed league champions Hartpury University.

Against all the odds, the scoreline stood at a goal apiece at the end of the ninety minutes after an early goal from Burns saw King Baidoo equalize just before the break, with neither side managing to break the deadlock during a rather more uneventful second period of play as Miller, Curt Williams, man of the match Roberts, Ben Febery and Burns all find the net to result in the visitors’ first and so far only defeat of the season.

Town last won the cup back in April 2019, when an 81stminute winner from substitute player Charlie Docherty secured a memorable 3-2 victory against Holme Lacy at Westfields’ allpay.park ground following first half goals from Joe Bullock and Samuel Palmer-Young.

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Ledbury Town v Hartpury University

Nathan Ince tries to keep the ball in play on the near sideline against an opposing midfielder on the 22nd minute of the game, watched by part of the sizeable crowd of more than a hundred spectators at New Street that evening (📸: Chris Ponter)

Hartpury University achieved more than the mere draw they needed in order to take this season’s Herefordshire FA County League Premier Division title during a midweek evening encounter at New Street this week, defeating Ledbury Town with a 2-0 victory in a fiery affair in front of well over a hundred spectators, which saw a sending-off and seven yellow cards issued in total by local referee Liam Brace.

Ledbury were in a confident mood after retaking the second spot in the league with a phenomenal 6-1 demolition of Hereford Lads Club Reserves at the Herefordshire FA County Ground just four days previously, and, although Hartpury had retained a stunning unbeaten run in the league, Ian Merrick’s men had already cracked the high-flying campus-based outfit at home back at the start of February in the semi-finals of the Herefordshire FA Charity Bowl cup competition, courtesy of successful spot kicks from Ben Miller, Curt Williams, Scott Roberts, Ben Febery and Josh Burns during a thrilling penalty shootout following first-half goals from Burns and King Baidoo.

This latest clash between the two top table sides echoed the previous first league fixture played at Hartpury’s pitch back in mid-October, when a controversially-taken free kick from substitute player Najee Holder broke the deadlock moments before the half-time interval, before the hosts ran amok during the second period, with a Baidoo brace being accompanied by further goals from other substitute player Brandon Smalley and Joshua Bissett with Burns finding the only goal for Town, although on this occasion, Hartpury’s opener scored just before the interval was via a thunderbolt off the far post from Luca Robinson.

With James Febery, Nathan Ince, Miller, Ben Febery and Baidoo all having already ended up in Brace’s book, the final ten minutes of the first period were made more challenging for the hosts in having to play with only ten men after Ben Febery was sin-binned shortly after receiving Ledbury’s fourth yellow card of the evening, with the same disadvantage occurring for Town for the latter half of play after Bissett put away Hartpury’s second on the 63rd minute when the same home midfielder was shown a second yellow and a consequent sending-off.

Ledbury started brightly with the added advantage of playing downfield, gaining a good early chance with the visiting defence faltering out of the starting blocks as Ince was challenged inside the box but not without the ball ending up with Tom Boyle, who volleyed an opening effort over the bar in his quest for an unprecedented thirtieth goal of the season following another hat-trick notched up over the second half of play against Lads Club over the weekend.

The opposition then fouled Ben Febery in midfield as a great first free kick from Miller met the head of James Febery, diving in from the near side of the box to see the ball being caught by the Hartpury keeper, before Burns threatened an early repeat of his previous promising goalscoring history against the University-based outfit, running the ball into the box to provide the visiting goaltender with a relatively straightforward save.

Events quickly turned much more heated under the floodlights on the twelfth minute, when a bout of fisticuffs threatened to erupt upfield resulting in James Febery being shown the first of man yellow cards that evening, with Baidoo also being booked fewer than three minutes later for a late challenge.

Town keeper James Loader then made a great judgement, leaving his line to make a successful challenge to halt an incoming opposing attacker in his tracks, before Ince used his trademark turn of speed to good defensive effect in charging out to the near sideline upfield and firing the ball over the neighbouring cemetery wall.

The pacy home marksman then fell quite literally foul of Brace shortly afterwards, lunging in with an ill-advised physical challenge towards the near corner flag to earn himself a second Ledbury booking of the affair, before a second 25th minute Miller free kick was met in near-identical manner by Febery, as his header was this time deflected off the chest of a defender.

Boyle did well to keep the ball against two Hartpury players towards the touchline, passing it on to Ince whose swift bullet-like effort was well-blocked by the palms of the visiting keeper, before a superb save in turn from Loader back upfield saw Boyle break free in midfield, managing to deliver the ball again to Ince racing down the near wing as another strong strike from the keen Town forward was again denied by the opposing goaltender.

Boyle tried to turn and shoot while under pressure on the ground in the box only to be blocked by the defender behind him, before further controversy followed when Miller and Ben Febery were booked in quick succession, with the latter player being ordered to the dugout for the remainder of the opening period of play for dissent towards the official.

A further great save from Loader was followed by Robinson finally breaking the deadlock for his side with a terrific strike from the near wing which bounced off the opposite post and into the net, with Ledbury retiring to the changing room over the break knowing that they had quite the task ahead of them if they were to secure the three points needed to guarantee them a second place finish in the league there and then.

A carded Miller was exchanged for Chris Wickham over the interval as Ledbury captain Tom Trigg started the second half by racing out to deal with a threat at the near sideline, shortly before Hartpury received their second booking of the game for fouling Burns on a run upfield despite the Town striker probably preferring to have played the advantage.

A backwards nod from Pete Jeynes led to a daring three-yard diving header from a visiting forward on the 55th minute to send the ball just shy of the near post, before an exemplary challenge from home man of the match James Kenny in hot pursuit of an opposing striker towards the touchline was successful in giving the goal kick to Loader.

James Febery’s height advantage then proved crucial in midfield, winning another header as Jeynes also performed a good low defensive header towards the edge of the box, before Bissett scored Hartpury’s second in a similar manner to Robinson, firing a screamer this time from the far wing which left a diving Loader with little chance as it soared into the top right-hand corner of the net.

Ince was swapped for George Walker on the 65th minute, and, after Robinson required treatment on the pitch in midfield before coming off for Sidney Partridge, Ledbury’s second substitute player did well to take the ball past three visiting players in midfield and feed it to the near wing.

Trigg battled hard to win a throw-in on the near sideline, before a central effort from Boyle was saved on the ground by the keeper as things just didn’t seem to fall into place that evening to enable the prolific Town striker to put away his landmark goal.

Two successive 75th minute corners from the university-based outfit were then dealt with via a clearance from Dale Taylor over the touchline and a header from Trigg, with a superb 25-yard strike from the opposition on the follow-up from the home skipper’s clearance being superbly-saved by Loader in leaping to palm the ball just over the woodwork.

The younger of the Febery siblings then received his marching orders from Brace after committing one foul too many as Curt Williams and Asten Griffiths replaced Burns and the elder of the Febery brothers respectively either side of this double booking, with Justin Hall coming on to replace Baidoo in a final Hartpury change of personnel with ten minutes to go.

Some strong late Ledbury defending from Trigg in the box, Wickham towards the near touchline and Griffiths further upfield then saw a final Town free kick from Williams lead to the ball being saved by the visiting keeper, with their linesman raised his flag regardless as a cross-shot from the red and white shirts going into stoppage time provided Loader with a relatively comfortable save.

A powerful clearance from Taylor over the touchline and off the shoulder of an unfortunate spectator then saw Loader leap out in front of a group of players in the box to seize the ball with confidence, before Jeynes nodded the ball over the touchline to provide his opponents with a final corner ball which was nodded wide of the far post by one of their forwards.

Hartpury were nevertheless left to celebrate winning their very first season in the league despite having five games still left to play, with Ledbury on the other hand having a second place finish still to be guaranteed, with Hereford Pegasus Reserves still in contention a single point below them with one league game left to play against lowly Holme Lacy at Old School Lane at the very end of the month.

This makes Town’s upcoming second re-arranged visit to Shobdon this weekend (KO 2:30pm) all the more crucial, with the original opening game against the league’s basement boys on the very first day of the current season having been cancelled on account of no referee being available at their airfield-based venue.

The first re-scheduled date at the aerodrome pitch was postponed back in mid-February owing to the numerous waterlogged pitches created by Storm Eunice, before a scheduled New Street meeting between the two sides was postponed just over a fortnight ago due to the visitors being unable to field a side.

Despite not locking horns with Shobdon in league play so far this season, Ledbury have already recorded a stunning 11-2 thrashing of the bottom table holders during a bitterly cold Charity Bowl cup quarter-final fixture at their airfield venue back in late November, when Miller struck four, Walker found his first hat-trick at senior level football with the aid of two penalties, and James Febery, Trigg, Scott Roberts and reserves striker Sam Branch all added to Town’s illustrious tally on the day.

Ledbury’s Charity Bowl victories over Shobdon and Hartpury after comfortably seeing off Holme Lacy with a 4-0 win at New Street in the first round back in early October with goals from Boyle, Burns, Ince and Miller, also means that they will now face Pegasus Reserves in the final to be played at the County Ground on Wednesday 11th May (KO 7:45pm).

Town last won the cup back in April 2019, when an 81st minute winner from substitute player Charlie Docherty secured a memorable 3-2 victory against Holme Lacy at Westfields’ allpay.park ground following first half goals from Joe Bullock and Samuel Palmer-Young.

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