Season: 2021-22

Hereford Lads Club Reserves v Ledbury Town

Hat-trick scorer and man of the match for Ledbury Tom Boyle congratulates team-mate Scott Roberts after he nodded home Ben Febery’s 27th minute corner ball for Town’s second goal of the afternoon, with first goalscorer that day Josh Burns also just being visible behind them (📸: Chris Ponter)

Following a 4-1 comeback against Hinton in an unusual Thursday evening fixture at New Street last week to atone for a shock 5-3 defeat away to Welland at the Upton Hill Centre the weekend beforehand, Ledbury Town reasserted their dominance towards the top end of the Herefordshire FA County League Premier Division at this late stage of the season, scoring a resounding 6-1 demolition of upper table rivals Hereford Lads Club Reserves at the Herefordshire FA County Ground to finally retake the runners-up spot.

Ledbury had a score to settle against the Lads Club second string, after the Hereford-based outfit emerged 2-1 victors at New Street during a Halloween encounter which saw Ben Febery convert a successful penalty just four minutes in, with James Price equalizing for the reserves on the brink of the interval as Nicholas Weaver later put away a second.

Ian Merrick’s men were 3-0 up after just half an hour of play on this occasion however, as a relentless Town attack took full advantage of the home defence playing themselves into all kinds of problems as Josh Burns, Scott Roberts and Nathan Ince all found the target.

Despite the city-based outfit managing to deny the black and white shirts of a clean sheet on the 63rd minute, their sole goal was of scant consolation as man of the match for the visitors Tom Boyle used the second period to notch up yet another hat-trick this season.

Boyle had the target in his sights barely a minute after referee for the day Geoff Banham had blown the starting whistle, as an opening effort from the prolific Ledbury striker just outside the edge of the box was saved by the opposing goalkeeper, with an initial threatening effort from Lads Club back across field being curled just over the crossbar.

Boyle put a second effort wide following a battle between both sides for possession in the box, before a first strike from Burns, using the smooth surface of the new 3G pitch at the County Ground to embark on a pacy run into the box with the ball, was palmed off the bar by the reserves keeper.

An audibly-frustrated Ince couldn’t quite perform the finish on the rebound, before two tenth minute Town corner balls resulted in James Febery going in with a sliding challenge against a home defender over the touchline as the goal kick was given to Lads Club.

A free kick from Ben Febery was struck against the wall of opposing defenders before the younger of the Febery siblings struck a high effort over the woodwork to land behind the netting, before Burns raced in once more to perform a great finish, getting his side up and running on the quarter-hour mark of play.

A goal-hungry Boyle was quick to threaten again, managing to produce an effort which rolled just shy of the near post despite being challenged by a Lads Club defender as Banham said no to calls for a foul from visiting players and supporters alike, before Burns made another run into the near side of the box as his cross-shot deflected off a defender and into the gloves of the reserves keeper on the ground.

James Febery’s 20th minute effort was saved from close range as he was also felled by a home defender with no consequence for the blue and white shirts, before a retaliatory physical challenge from Ince lead to a throw-in to the opposition on the far sideline.

Lads Club just couldn’t seem to give Ledbury keeper James Loader much cause to worry as a free kick was struck over the quartet of Town players forming the wall before sailing harmlessly over the frame, with Ince’s effort performed while under pressure from the defender behind him being deflected off for a corner by the reserves goaltender.

The visitors doubled their advantage when Ben Febery’s superbly-taken corner ball was met with an equally-superb header squarely into the net from Roberts, before Boyle, still keen to add himself to Ledbury’s tally, made another run into the box accompanied by Ben Febery and Harri John either side of him to see another good effort being met with a solid save from an extremely busy home goaltender.

The half-hour mark saw Ince atone for his squandered chance while playing for Town’s reserves side away at Holme Lacy Reserves seven days previously when he uncharacteristically hit the near post during a one-on-one situation with the opposing keeper, this time putting the ball away in far more decisive fashion to put the New Street senior side firmly in the driving seat.

The visitors continued to take full advantage of Lads Club’s tendency to hang back and focus more on passing play along the back-line despite needing to push forward at three goals down, as another great strike from Boyle led to a further fine save from the reserves keeper, whom his side had a lot to thank him for in keeping the Ledbury scoreline from nearing double figures that afternoon.

Good pressure from Ince on the touchline against a home defender forced a further corner ball from Ben Febery which was nodded the wrong way by elder brother James in the box, before Boyle ran towards the box once more to produce a superb ball to John, whose strike was met with yet another solid save on the ground from an industrious opposing goaltender.

Pete Jeynes then charged down the far wing to fire the ball well over the woodwork, before silky skills from Boyle on the 40th minute, taking the ball round a number of defenders around the edge of the box, eventually ended with him being brought down as Banham again saw no cause to sanction Lads Club.

This changed however just two minutes later when the official brandished the first yellow card of the game to the reserves for a late challenge against Ince towards the far sideline, as the resulting free kick of the first half again taken by Ben Febery was struck from thirty yards out to be well-caught by the keeper in front of the older Febery sibling.

Ince eventually succumbed to the leg injury incurred from the earlier foul to be replaced by Curt Williams shortly into the latter period of play, with the home goaltender beginning his half by beating Boyle to the ball at the far post before the County Ground outfit won a 50th minute corner ball following a tussle between one of their attackers and Jeynes on the touchline which saw both players hit the deck.

James Febery received the second and final booking of the afternoon for a late challenge in midfield which resulted in his unfortunate opponent having to limp off-field with the aid of two of his team-mates, before an aerial ball from Lads Club was met with a solid defensive header from Jeynes in the box.

The reserves then somehow managed to break through the six Town players manning the back-line to slot home their only goal of the encounter, even if it only took two minutes for the visitors to restore their three-goal advantage when Boyle’s effort from an angle was deflected by the keeper to bounce off the near post and into the net.

Boyle completed his brace within three minutes when his effort managed to roll underneath the diving keeper, and, after James Febery was swapped for Asten Griffiths in a second Ledbury substitution, Loader made a save at the near post as Town struggled to get the ball out, with the clearance eventually being made by Dale Taylor.

Merrick called for a further change of personnel on the 75th minute as Alistair Holder came on for Burns at a job well done, with good communication between Loader and visiting captain Tom Trigg continuing to keep Ledbury safe upfront as the hosts appeared to step up their attacking play for the final fifteen minutes.

Boyle completed his treble before there was further danger for Ledbury with ten minutes to go, as Loader managed to block the ball from the ground at the near post although not quite managing to clear it as the opposing attacker put the rebound into the side of the netting.

Lads Club continued this late assault for the remainder of the game, putting crosses past both Williams and Jeynes at the edge of the box as the latter was deflected by Taylor for a corner ball, with this final set-piece of the game being nodded clear through a combination of both Ben Febery and a reserves forward leaping up together for the ball as a potentially nasty clash of heads was only just averted.

Town nevertheless went on to celebrate a huge win which was as convincing and comfortable as it was crucial, as a further victory this coming Wednesday evening in a hotly-anticipated third and final clash of the season against runaway league leaders this season Hartpury University at New Street (KO 7:45pm) will virtually guarantee a second place finish this season.

Hartpury on the other hand need only a single point from this encounter to clinch the title, having already beaten Ledbury 5-1 at their campus-based venue a fortnight prior to Town’s first game against Lads Club at New Street, even if it took a controversial free kick from home substitute player Najee Holder to eventually break the deadlock moments before the half-time whistle was blown by referee Adrian Rocke.

A far more dominant second half from the University-based outfit saw King Baidoo score a brace, final Hartpury substitute player Brandon Smalley find the net on the 72nd minute, and Joshua Bissett scoring five minutes from time as Burns found the sole consolation goal for the visitors on the 65th minute.

A far tighter affair occurred at New Street during a highly memorable Herefordshire FA Charity Bowl semi-final played out in early February, as, 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 Baidoo equalize just before the break, with neither side managing to find the breakthrough during a rather more uneventful second period of play, as a thrilling penalty shootout saw Ben Miller, 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.

Merrick’s men are also set to finally play Shobdon at their aerodrome-based venue this coming weekend (KO 2:30pm), after the original opening game against the league’s basement boys on the very first day of the current season was cancelled on account of no referee being available at Shobdon Airfield.

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 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, twenty-year-old George Walker found his first hat-trick at senior level football with the aid of two penalties, and James Febery, Trigg, 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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Ledbury Town Reserves v Ross Juniors HCL

Alex Berry steps over an opposing forward whom he brought down during a defensive challenge performed towards the far sideline around the tenth minute of the game (📸: Chris Ponter)

Ledbury Town Reserves are still searching for a highly-elusive eighth victory of the season in Division One of the Herefordshire FA County League following their last win back at the start of last month with a 3-1 victory against Hinton Reserves at Broomy Hill, with only two home draws against Tenbury United and Hereford Pegasus Colts and three away losses to Burghill Rangers, Tenbury Town and Holme Lacy Reserves occurring in the meantime as David Butcher’s squad suffered a second 2-1 defeat of the season against Ross Juniors HCL at New Street.

The two sides last met at the Ross-on-Wye Sports Centre at the end of January, in a scrappy stop-start affair which saw all the goals come from penalties awarded by referee Derek Smith as Mike Donaldson scored twice from the spot for Ross, with Kieran Loveridge converting the Ledbury penalty.

With the Juniors continuing to be a ‘bogey team’ which Town’s second string cannot seem to crack, Florin Crainic and Joseph Thomas made it 2-0 to the visitors before the interval on this latest occasion, even if Loveridge again found the consolation goal during the second period for an identical result.

Zak Bonfield was named man of the match for the hosts for doing much to keep Ross’ tally down on goalkeeping duties, with Butcher commenting after the game:

“We were unlucky not to come away with at least a point really, with a blip during the 20th minute of the first half perhaps costing us the game.”

The Ledbury second string, yet again stubbornly sticking to seventh place in the middle of the table despite this latest defeat, have three more games left this season all at home to try and make up ground on Kington Town Reserves above them in sixth, who hold a sizeable ten-point and single game advantage.

It will be the Kington second string themselves whom Butcher’s side will next host at New Street this coming weekend (KO 2:30pm), before more than a fortnight’s break from footballing action sees them entertain current league leaders on goal difference Worcester United in a re-arranged Wednesday evening fixture on 4th May (KO 7:30pm), before a final game of the season on Saturday 14th May will see Tenbury Town visit New Street (KO 2:30pm).

A 5-2 defeat was incurred by Ledbury at Mill Street against the Kington towards the end of September, when a Tom Crichton treble was accompanied by goals from booked team-mate Harry Bowen and Sam Roberts, as an own goal from the hosts occurred on the 67th minute after Branch found the net for the visitors three minutes before the interval, with Potter being awarded man of the match for Ledbury.

Before the original New Street fixture against Worcester was postponed just over three weeks ago after 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 a fortnight 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 young first team striker George 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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Ledbury Town Reserves v Hereford Pegasus Colts

James Kenny just misses out on blocking an opposing striker from producing a 24th minute effort from just outside the box, as home captain Nick Bolton looks on behind them with Sam Branch being pictured further upfield (📸: Chris Ponter)

Ledbury Town Reserves’ extended run of misfortune in Division One of the Herefordshire FA County League, which has seen a goalless home draw against Tenbury United occur in-between three away losses to Burghill Rangers, Tenbury Town and Holme Lacy Reserves, continued this week during a Wednesday evening encounter at New Street, which saw David Butcher’s side see an extremely valuable three points snatched away from them in the cruellest possible manner as Hereford Pegasus Colts’ David Solway put away a crushing last-minute stoppage time equalizer.

With the Ledbury second string having already recorded a narrow 3-2 defeat against the league’s current fourth place holders at Old School Lane during a final game before the Christmas break, when Will Clarke found a Pegasus brace with team-mate Kieron Davies picking up the third goal for the Colts as Callum Blackmore-Davey and Potter found the target for the reserves, hopes were high that Butcher’s young squad could build upon the close loss incurred last time around, finding the win they have been searching for since the 3-1 victory achieved against Hinton Reserves at Broomy Hill back at the start of last month.

Sure enough, a goalless first half under the floodlights saw Potter again strike gold from a superb Sam Branch cross less than ten minutes into the latter period of play, with the scoreline remaining right up until an unexpectedly lengthy period of stoppage time which saw referee Mark Ammonds add on an additional six minutes, as Solway nodded home a final decisive corner ball.

The hosts started on the offensive, with an opening free kick from Kieran Loveridge being knocked over the crossbar upfield by Ledbury captain Nick Bolton, and, after the visiting goalkeeper was forced to leave his line in order to seize the ball, a great cross from Loveridge was met with a glancing header off Branch to see the ball hit the far post and end up with the opposing goaltender.

A superb challenge from Matti Holder back downfield on the far wing near the touchline forced a Pegasus corner ball which was deflected by reserves keeper Zak Bonfield leaping off his line, before a twelfth minute Colts strike from 25 yards out sailed harmlessly over the woodwork.

Holder’s free kick was struck wide to the far wing as twin sibling Alistair used his height advantage to nod the ball on to Loveridge in the box, with the ensuing volley from the regular home marksman being saved by the keeper.

A further Ledbury spot kick on the quarter-hour mark, this time taken by Bolton, again came off the head of Alistair Holder to be deflected off the visiting goaltender, before Alex Berry put the ball out over the touchline as Bonfield this time missed the corner ball which, fortunately for the reserves, saw no opposing players being present towards the far wing to receive it.

A 20th minute Pegasus effort from out of the blue at twenty yards out flew narrowly wide of the far post in a warning to the hosts, before Bolton tried to catch the Colts keeper out from the near wing at twenty yards out, putting the ball just over the bar to land behind the net.

A terrific challenge from Berry towards the near sideline back downfield saw a further spot kick from the Ledbury skipper bounce to provide the visiting goaltender with an awkward save, with an offside flag against the opposition shown by Potter running the near sideline before later coming on as a substitute for Alistair Holder over the interval seeing a further great challenge from the industrious Berry give a throw-in to Pegasus from the near sideline.

This led to a cross from the Colts which was palmed away by Bonfield with again no visiting players being present on the far wing to make something of the follow-up, before Berry continued his defensive stand by bringing an opposing attacker down again on the near sideline in a 50/50 situation which nevertheless saw Ammonds give the free kick to Pegasus.

Loveridge, in a similar manner to his captain earlier, also tried to catch the Colts keeper off-guard with a swiftly-taken effort which was still saved by the obstinate visiting goaltender, with one last 25-yard effort from the city-based outfit then travelling wide of the target before Bonfield came out to snatch the ball from an incoming attacker to end the half.

The second period began with a controversial offside flag being displayed by the Old School Lane linesman running the far sideline, only for Potter to respond by seizing the opportunity to charge towards the line, beating an opposing defender to Branch’s cross to finally break the deadlock.

The next ten minutes saw Loveridge sin-binned for dissent, even if the reserves target man was to be brought off on the 70th minute anyway for Samuel Palmer-Young, with this substitution being accompanied by Blackmore-Davey coming on for Matti Holder as Jake Bramley and Jake Clueit also entered the action in exchange for Branch and Bolton on the sixty-minute mark, with Bramley soon making his presence on the pitch felt with some great play against the Pegasus defence on the far wing, resulting in a promising strike which flew just wide of the top left-hand corner of the frame.

A fantastic display of defending from Jai Smallwood back upfield saw the first signs of the game getting ever so slightly more heated in contrast to the increasingly chilly conditions at New Street that evening, as an apparent foul from Town first team midfielder Asten Griffiths saw Ammonds refusing to give a free kick to the Colts despite vocal protestations from their linesman, before a late 85th minute final substitution from the visitors saw a great back heel from Bramley to Potter, who couldn’t quite keep possession of the ball on the touchline against the opposing defence.

An offside flag from Bolton shown against a Pegasus striker upfield was followed by Palmer-Young’s great cross to Bramley seeing the home striker stretch just that little too far to finish the ball while under pressure from two Colts defenders, with the ball sneaking just shy of the far post in what was the best chance that night for the black and white shirts to bag what would have been a critical second goal.

Loveridge rejoined the game at a late stage, with Ledbury man of the match that evening Chris Wickham leaving the action at a job well done for a consistent performance in midfield, before the extended period of added time saw some great play from sixteen-year-old Clueit, running the ball into the box as Griffiths raced in to knock the ball well over the woodwork.

After Potter couldn’t quite get his foot to an intended final cross from the near side of the box, the reserves’ failure to achieve the security of a second goal, adding further credence to the old footballing adage that a team is never safe at only 1-0 up, came back to bite them at the eleventh hour when Solway headed home the pivotal final corner ball, quite literally just before Ammonds blew the final whistle.

Despite the disappointment of losing the full valuable three points, Butcher was pleased with how his side played on the night:

“It was a great performance from the lads against a very tough and in-form side in Pegasus. It was two points dropped in my eyes however, and it’s always gutting to concede with the very last kick of the game.”

The Ledbury second string, once again remaining seventh in the table, have two further home games this month to try and buck the trend of a disappointing five weeks of football, hosting current fifth place holders Ross Juniors HCL at New Street this weekend, before entertaining sixth-placed Kington Town Reserves the following Saturday (both games KO 2:30pm).

A 2-1 loss resulted against Ross Juniors at the Ross-on-Wye Sports Centre at the end of January, during a scrappy stop-start affair which saw all the goals come from penalties awarded by referee Derek Smith, with Mike Donaldson scoring twice from the spot for the Juniors, Loveridge converting the reserves’ penalty and newcomer Sam Booth being named man of the match during his debut for Butcher’s side.

A heavier 5-2 defeat was incurred by Ledbury at Mill Street against Kington towards the end of September, when a Tom Crichton treble was accompanied by goals from booked team-mate Harry Bowen and Sam Roberts, with an own goal from the hosts occurring on the 67th minute after Branch found the net for the visitors three minutes before the interval, with Potter being awarded man of the match for Ledbury on this occasion.

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Ledbury Town Swifts v Dore Valley

Dwayne Tyndale leaps for a 68th minute corner ball against an opposing defender as Jasper Wilce and Ethan French look on from behind in the box (📸: Chris Ponter)

Ledbury Town Swifts enjoyed a welcome 2-1 victory over Dore Valley in a latest Herefordshire FA County League Division Two encounter played out at a well-attended New Street.

In what had been the first time the Ledbury third string had taken to the field in a fortnight, the Swifts made up for a close 3-2 defeat at the hands of Dore at the Seven Site back in February, which saw a brace from David Brooke and a further goal from Mark Evans outnumber the goals scored by visiting striker David Feakins and substitute player James Roberts as first-half goals from Kai Davis and Samuel Palmer-Young on this occasion were enough to secure an important win.

The latest visitors to New Street netted a very late consolation goal which they had worked hard for after experiencing drama around the 25th minute, when one of their players suffered a bad ankle injury although fortunately with an ambulance being deemed not necessary.

The second period began with the Swifts being blocked twice as Phil Davis put the ball wide back downfield, before the fury of home players and supporters alike was felt all around the ground when local referee for the day Nick Fish quite definitively ruled out a penalty when first team Ledbury defender Dwayne Tyndale, playing more on this occasion, was brought down just short of the touchline in the box.

Phil Davis did well on to take the ball round two defenders before inadvertently passing the ball on to an opposing player, before a Dore forward fumbled an effort back upfield to see his team-mate take over only to fire the ball well wide of the far post.

An exciting 73rd minute saw a foul from the visitors give the Swifts a free kick which was brilliantly struck by Davis to be denied only through the opposing keeper leaping to palm the ball off the crossbar, as former Ledbury defender and first team manager Pat Locke, kindly donning an orange shirt to help the opposing side out following the incident which afflicted one of their players earlier, ended the home attack by nodding the ball over the woodwork for a corner.

Palmer-Young’s cross-shot from the far wing, performed while under pressure from the Dore goaltender rushing out to meet him, then went over the frame as the visiting keeper then rushed out to block Jasper Wilce, and after Kai Davis hit the ball well astray on the rebound, Wilce managed to play the ball back into the box and pass it on to Phil Davis, only for the ball to be intercepted by an opposing defender.

A busy Dore goaltender then collided with his own player as Tyndale again played the ball down to the touchline, with Feakins coming on for Phil Davis with ten minutes left on the clock as a corner ball from Palmer-Young was mis-stuck behind the netting.

The visiting keeper continued to judge things well in rushing far off his line to successfully challenge Wilce for the ball, leading to a corner which was this time mis-hit by Kai Davis, only for a cracking shot from the Swifts youngster again only being prevented from entering the net through another superb save from the opposing goaltender in palming the ball over the woodwork.

The Dore goal guardian, surely picking up the man of the match accolade for his side that afternoon for doing a huge amount to keep the hosts’ scoreline at bay throughout the second period of play, then leapt out to deflect a corner ball from Kai Davis in amongst the swarm of players from both sides in the box, before the visitors’ well-earned sole goal of the encounter saw Will Brandreth receive a high foot in the face on the far sideline, although with the Swifts youngster being able to shake the injury off as Fish blew the final whistle.

Sixteen-year-old Harry Millis was named man of the match for the hosts for a consistent display all afternoon, as Ledbury Town Football Club secretary and treasurer Harry Powell, taking over the reins for the Swifts on the day for caretaker manager Nick Blakeway, was more than pleased with the result:

“It was a resilient performance from the lads, which got the result they deserved. Hopefully, this will be the catalyst which enables them to finish their first season brightly.”

This latest valuable win moves the Ledbury third string up a place to eighth in the table, as a further fortnight’s break sees them face current league fourth place holders Wellington Colts away on Saturday 16th April, before the following weekend sees them host basement boys Credenhill at the Ledbury Rugby Football Club Ross Road ground (both games KO 2:30pm).

The Swifts will be hoping for a better result than the 5-1 defeat which resulted the last time they played Wellington at the Ross Road ground towards the end of September, when substitute player Dan Fish scored the only goal, with a 1-1 draw being recorded against Credenhill at Roman Park two months later when Dan Powell, again coming on as a substitute player for the visitors, found the sole goal for the Ledbury third string.

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Holme Lacy Reserves v Ledbury Town Reserves

Sam Branch is challenged by an opposing defender for the ball during the 65th minute of the game (📸: Chris Ponter)

A first period of squandered set-pieces and other golden opportunities to score cost Ledbury Town Reserves dearly in their second Herefordshire FA County League Division One meeting of the season against Holme Lacy Reserves to begin the month of April, as an opening goal scored just before the interval allowed the hosts to capitalize on a lacklustre second half from the team visiting Holme Lacy Playing Fields.

With David Butcher’s young squad having already recorded a 4-0 victory over the same opponents back in mid-January at the Ledbury Rugby Football Club Ross Road ground, when a brace from first team substitute striker Nathan Ince and further goals from Sam Branch and Tom Skittery netted a convincing win, hopes were high that the Ledbury second string could recover a dip in form over recent weeks, which have seen a goalless draw against Tenbury United at New Street and two away defeats to Burghill Rangers and Tenbury Town.

Despite being by far the stronger attacking side throughout the first period of play, the visitors just couldn’t seem to find the breakthrough even with all the aforementioned free kick and corner ball chances, with Holm Lacy’s late first half opener providing a wake-up call which still didn’t translate into Ledbury getting themselves on the scoresheet as a reliance on aerial balls rather than more grounded play perhaps cost them.

An uncharacteristic miss from Ince going one-on-one with the home goalkeeper led to an 85th minute foul from visiting substitute player Callum Blackmore-Davey which provided Holme Lacy with a successfully-converted penalty, with a third goal scored three minutes from the final whistle merely providing the icing on the cake for a home outfit which had thoroughly worked for the win during the latter half of the afternoon.

An opening free kick for the yellow and black shirts was struck past the two-man wall of Ledbury captain Nick Bolton and team-mate Alex Berry to travel just wide of the far post, before Jake Bramley’s cross-shot into the box was caught by the opposing keeper in front of Skittery.

Great work from visiting man of the match Berry, putting in a solid defensive display throughout the afternoon resulted in a superb challenge which forced the ball over the touchline, before Bolton’s thirteenth minute corner ball met the head of Matti Holder in the box as the ball ended up with Kieran Loveridge, who couldn’t quite get into a position to score.

Ledbury received a first free kick of the encounter following a controversial back-pass decision, which Bolton chose to pass on to Skittery as the strike from the visiting forward hit the knee of one of three defenders forming the wall in front of him, before some decidedly sloppy Holme Lacy defending allowed Loveridge to produce an initial effort which flew wide of the near post.

The referee had words with a home attacker for bringing Berry down on the near wing, before Skittery’s strike went much the same way as that of Loveridge as a run from Bramley down the far wing was swiftly ended by a good challenge from an opposing substitute player.

A second corner ball from Bolton was then nodded over the bar by Holder, before Ledbury goaltender Zak Bonfield was then called upon to make his first real save of the game back across field on the 24th minute, in what was the first time Holme Lacy had really threatened since their opening free kick.

Ince passed the ball on to Bramley, whose effort didn’t quite have the power required to really trouble a home keeper who dived to palm the ball clear, as the resulting corner ball again delivered by Bolton was nodded clear of Holder in the box by an opposing defender.

Loveridge managed to evade two defenders on the near wing before being judged to have fouled the third, with the Holme Lacy spot kick-taker mis-striking the ball over the sideline further downfield before the hosts were lucky not to receive a first booking of the game for bringing down Ince on the run with the ball.

The free kick awarded to the visitors was struck off the wall by Bolton and volleyed only just shy of the far post by the Ledbury skipper on the rebound, with the black and white shirts going on to rue more missed opportunities to get themselves off the mark as an effort from Loveridge was saved by the keeper, while an impromptu twenty-yard effort from Bolton running towards the box went wide of the target following some good play from both Loveridge and Ince around the box.

Eventually however, the visiting outfit’s failure to break the deadlock bit them hard when they were caught static and saw their opponents put away a surprise opener five minutes from the break, with Butcher urging his team to fight on in the knowledge that they were the better side up until this point of the proceedings.

Bramley knocked the ball on to be seized by the Holme Lacy keeper, before further good defensive work from both Berry and first team midfielder Chris Wickham gave the former player a throw-in as the former Ledbury player struck the ball upfield to Skittery, only for the home goaltender to leap up and catch the ball in front of him.

Stoppage time of the first period of play saw the visitors being denied what would have been a critical equalizer, as a great long cross from Loveridge from towards the far corner flag was nodded into the opposing keeper at the far post by Ince.

The ball came to the senior team striker again in the box soon into the second period as Bramley’s follow-up volley was deflected off a defender, as a free kick from the opposition taken from thirty yards out on the far wing was cleanly caught by Bonfield.

Butcher chose to make a first substitution of the afternoon on the 52nd minute in bringing Bolton off for sixteen-year-old midfielder Jake Clueit, before two corner balls from Loveridge saw the first being missed by Holder to come off the head of a defender, while the second led to James Kenny striking the ball into the Holme Lacy goaltender’s knee from close range.

Bramley was called off-field for Branch to enter the fray, before a great cross from the hosts only saw Ledbury not conceding a second time through no yellow shirts being available in the box to meet it.

Clueit then managed to get the ball to Branch, who lost possession to a well-timed challenge from an opposing defender, with a further free kick after Ince was felled on the edge of the box still not providing the goal which the visitors so desperately needed at this point as Skittery came off for Brad Potter with twenty minutes to go.

A Holme Lacy spot kick made it past the three-man Ledbury wall of Jai Smallwood, Holder and Berry to be blocked but fumbled over the touchline by Bonfield as the resulting corner ball for the hosts was struck to clip the top netting at the far corner of the frame, with Butcher then making further changes to his squad as Blackmore-Davey and George Hackman entered the action for Kenny and Wickham.

A prime opportunity for the visitors to change the complexion of the game entirely on the 75th minute went begging as Ince’s effort with just the opposing keeper in his way struck the woodwork in gutting fashion, with Ledbury’s anguish only being furthered by four consecutive corner balls from Loveridge which failed to provide them with the vital equalizer which they were now crying out for.

Skittery was brought back on for Loveridge for the final ten minutes, with the visitors’ chances of clawing at least a point from the affair being left in jeopardy when Blackmore-Davey’s foul, earning the Ledbury defender a first yellow card of his senior football career in the process, saw Holme Lacy’s penalty being struck into the bottom right-hand corner of the net past an unlucky Bonfield who had not quite dived far enough the correct way.

The hosts then picked up a late booking of their own, as Ledbury’s fate was all but sealed when the opposition nodded home a final corner ball, even if Smallwood finished by falling in the box with an attacker to deny Holme Lacy a chance at a fourth moments before the final whistle was blown.

Butcher was disappointed with the result, but saw positives in his side’s performance:

“It was a game of two halves really, although I thought we were the better team throughout. It was a much better performance from previous weeks, but failing to take our chances again cost us massively.”

“A 3-0 defeat is harsh on the lads as it didn’t reflect their performance, but with six games left all at home, we will be looking to finish the league strongly.”

The Ledbury second string remain seventh in the table, with a busy week ahead of them as this coming Wednesday evening sees them host current league fourth place holders Hereford Pegasus Colts at New Street (KO 7:30pm), before entertaining fifth-placed Ross Juniors HCL three days later and welcoming mid-table Kington Town Reserves to their historic ground on Saturday 16th April (both games KO 2:30pm).

Butcher’s side recorded a narrow 3-2 defeat against Pegasus Colts at Old School Lane during a final game before the Christmas break, with Will Clarke finding a brace for the hosts as team-mate Kieron Davies picked up a third, with Blackmore-Davey and Potter on target for the reserves as captain Bolton picked up the man of the match accolade.

A 2-1 loss resulted against Ross Juniors at the Ross-on-Wye Sports Centre at the end of January, during a scrappy stop-start affair which saw all the goals come from penalties awarded by referee Derek Smith, with Mike Donaldson scoring twice from the spot for the hosts, Loveridge converting the Ledbury penalty and newcomer Sam Booth being named man of the match during his debut for the reserves.

Finally, a heavier 5-2 defeat was incurred by Butcher’s team at Mill Street against the Kington second string towards the end of September, with a Tom Crichton treble being accompanied by goals from booked team-mate Harry Bowen and Sam Roberts, as an own goal from the hosts occurred on the 67th minute after Branch found the net for the visitors three minutes before the interval, with Potter being awarded man of the match for Ledbury on this occasion.

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Ledbury Town v Hinton

Tom Boyle (centre of the three Ledbury players) prepares to take the exquisite 40th minute free kick which netted him his fourth goal of the game, as Ben Miller and seasoned home captain that night Scott Roberts stand either side of him (📸: Chris Ponter)

Following a shock 5-3 defeat away to Welland, despite thumping the same side 8-0 at home during only the second league game of the season back in September, Ledbury Town repaired the damage done just under a fortnight ago in an unusual Thursday evening Herefordshire FA County League Premier Division encounter under the floodlights at New Street, playing Hinton for a second time this season as Tom Boyle netted all the goals in a 4-1 win.

With the aforementioned defeat dropping them down to fourth in the league table, as well as a scheduled game against Shobdon at home being postponed last weekend on account of the league’s basement boys being unable to field a side, Ian Merrick’s men needed to get back to winning ways if they were to stay in contention of finishing second in the league this season below runaway leaders Hartpury University, especially with current holders of the runners-up Hereford Pegasus Reserves having defeated Hinton 5-0 at Broomy Hill the evening before the cancelled Shobdon fixture at New Street.

Sure enough, in similar fashion to the 2-0 victory which occurred the last time the Ledbury first string played Hinton away just four days after their first meeting against Welland of the season, all the work was done during the first period of play.

Rather than different goalscorers however, as was the case when Curt Williams and Josh Burns found the two goals at Broomy Hill back in mid-September, the plaudits belonged to Boyle as the prolific Town striker provided a breathtaking goalscoring masterclass throughout the first period of play, running rampant playing downhill even if the hosts really should have added at least another four or five goals to their tally through James Febery, Ben Febery, George Walker and Nathan Ince all missing chances during the opening 45 minutes and some way into the latter period of play.

In what was very much a game of two distinct halves however, a seemingly complacent home outfit started to take their foot off the gas as the second period unfolded, with a better latter half of play from the visiting outfit culminating in substitute player Brandon Jennings finding a well-deserved consolation goal five minutes from time, with Ince picking up the only booking of the evening from local referee Liam Brace.

Boyle was out of the starting blocks almost immediately as the opposing goalkeeper just about managed to keep the seasoned Ledbury marksman out as he threatened close to the line, before the Hinton goaltender made a good save to see Boyle chip the ball up off the bar.

James Febery then nodded the ball over the woodwork, before Boyle’s first of four goals scored that evening occurred on only the tenth minute of play, when a great cross from Walker allowed the premier Town target man to race in and bury the ball to get his side off the mark.

Boyle’s brace was completed just five minutes later when he raced down the near wing to fire home a thunderbolt into the bottom corner of the net in what was a strong contender for the home side’s goal of the season, with Ben Miller then going on to strike the ball wide of the far post from just outside the box.

Boyle’s hat-trick came on the 23rd minute, when a superb throughball from Williams allowed the goal-hungry striker to play the ball back into the box once more to put away his treble, before a Ledbury corner ball was met with a weak clearance from a visiting defender, nearly allowing nearby Walker to capitalize.

The Broomy Hill goaltender then raced off his line to beat Walker to the ball and decisively clear it away, before the young Town midfielder was flagged offside by the away linesman while embarking on a run with the ball down the far wing.

James Febery then put a more improvised 33rd minute effort over the bar, before a tussle for the ball between younger sibling Ben and an opposing defender on the touchline saw Brace give the hosts a corner, which was delivered into the box to be mis-struck by Miller as a further quick header from James Febery went astray.

A dogged Hinton defender then did admirably well to keep both Boyle and Walker at bay from the ground towards the far wing, even if his prolonged defensive challenge eventually led to Brace giving Ledbury a free kick after the official judged the visiting player to have obstructed the ball with both feet.

The spot kick proved pivotal, going on to be struck immaculately by Boyle into the top corner of the net to leave the opposing goaltender with no chance of making the save, giving even the earlier screamer quick and stiff competition in terms of the most impressive goal scored by the hosts this season.

Boyle couldn’t quite get the touch in the box as a further good corner ball was delivered by veteran Town captain that night Scott Roberts, before the closing moments of an exemplary first period of play from the black and white shirts saw both of the Febery siblings put efforts narrowly wide of the target.

The elder of the brothers was swapped for Ince over the interval, with Williams being moved to a more midfield position as the hosts’ first substitute player that evening missed a very early second half sitter, with Ben Febery squandering a further chance in knocking the ball over the woodwork as Ledbury’s goal tally really should have stood at six or even seven by this point.

A failure on Town’s part to take full advantage of Hinton’s problems to improve their goal difference further, a factor which could become crucial by the time the league enters its final stages in the coming weeks, was exacerbated when Walker missed two golden opportunities in quick succession to get on the scoresheet via the ball being both driven into the box and crossed in through the trademark pace of Ince, as the visitors then chose to make a first substitution of the night.

This was swiftly followed by a corner ball from the blue and white shirts which led to an offside flag being shown by Tom Skittery running the near sideline, with home goaltender James Loader then being called upon to make his first real save of the game as Hinton continued to up their game with Ledbury conversely having not properly got into gear so far during the second half of the proceedings.

Merrick chose to shake up his squad with half an hour left on the clock with a double change of personnel, as Walker and Williams left the field for Burns and Chris Wickham respectively, before Loader had to use both palms in order to block a threatening 25-yard strike from the visitors.

A leg injury incurred by Ben Febery after an opposing player fell on top of him during a challenge then forced the Town regular to retire in exchange for Skittery, before home man of the match that evening for a solid defensive display James Kenny did well to nod a Hinton corner ball clear while under pressure from a visiting forward in the box.

Ince’s yellow card occurred on the 73rd minute in sending a visiting defender flying on the far wing, with a close header from an opposing forward from a well-taken corner ball reminding the hosts that it was just as well that they were already four goals clear at this point.

Pete Jeynes then came to blows with three Hinton defenders near the Ledbury dugout, even if Brace saw no cause to issue any further cards, and after Boyle missed a chance to hit five in firing the ball wide of the frame back upfield, the visitors’ persistence finally paid off, bagging their consolation goal through a strong header from a corner set-piece which this time overcame Kenny in defence.

Town protests over their defender being pushed over in the box were brushed aside by Brace for the goal to stand, with Kenny assisting Morgan Skidmore with a spot of cramp after his team-mate took a tumble while under pressure from an opposing midfielder on the near wing going into the final moments of the game.

This welcome win moves Merrick’s senior squad up to third, continuing to stay there two days later due to Hereford Lads Club suffering an unexpected 4-2 defeat to lowly Ewyas Harold to keep them fourth, with the battle for second place being kept wide open with Pegasus Reserves only managing a 2-2 draw against Welland the same day.

Ledbury retain a crucial two games in hand over Lads Club and three in hand over Pegasus, who lie two points either side of Town as Merrick’s men continue their campaign for the second spot with a critical second meeting of the season against none other than Lads Club Reserves at the Herefordshire FA County Ground on Saturday 9th April (KO 3:30pm).

This will then be followed by a hotly-anticipated second league meeting of the season against table-toppers Hartpury in an evening encounter at New Street on Wednesday 13th April (KO 7:45pm), before Ledbury finally look set to face Shobdon in league action at their aerodrome venue three days later (KO 2:30pm).

Town have a score to settle against Lads Club after the Hereford-based outfit emerged 2-1 victors at New Street around Halloween during an encounter marked by a numerous contentious penalty decisions from referee Joshua Marchant, even if this did allow Ben Febery to convert a successful spot kick just four minutes in.

James Price equalized for the visitors on the brink of the interval, before Lads Club gained two penalty opportunities courtesy of late challenges from captain Matt Rooke and Jeynes, with Nicholas Weaver putting away the second as Ince had to take up the goalkeeper’s gloves from Joshua Worrell, after the home goaltender was knocked off his feet through an ill-advised challenge which earned the opposing attacker a straight red card.

Ledbury were beaten 5-1 by Hartpury at their campus-based venue a fortnight prior to the game against Lads Club, even if it took a controversial free kick from substitute player Najee Holder to eventually break the deadlock moments before the half-time whistle was blown by referee Adrian Rocke, as a far more dominant second half from the University-based outfit saw King Baidoo score a brace, final home substitute player Brandon Smalley find the net on the 72nd minute, and Joshua Bissett scoring five minutes from time as Burns found the sole consolation goal for Town on the 65th minute.

A far tighter affair occurred at New Street during a highly memorable Herefordshire FA Charity Bowl semi-final played out in early February, as, 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 Baidoo equalize just before the break, with neither side managing to break the deadlock during a rather more uneventful second period of play, as a thrilling penalty shootout saw Miller, 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.

The original opening game against the league’s basement boys on the very first day of the current season was cancelled on account of no referee being available at Shobdon Airfield, with the first re-scheduled date at the aerodrome venue being postponed back in mid-February owing to the numerous waterlogged pitches created by Storm Eunice before the aforementioned recent scheduled New Street meeting between the two sides was postponed.

Despite not locking horns with Shobdon in league play so far this season, Town 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 aerodrome pitch 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, captain Tom Trigg, Roberts and Sam Branch all added to the visitors’ 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 at Westfields’ allpay.park ground following first half goals from Joe Bullock and Samuel Palmer-Young.

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Ledbury Town v Shobdon

Ledbury Town remain yet to face Herefordshire FA County League Premier Division basement boys Shobdon in league action even at this late stage of the season, after the latest scheduled fixture between the two sides at New Street was postponed this weekend on account of the visiting outfit being unable to field a side.

Ledbury’s original opening game against the bottom table holders on the very first day of the current season was cancelled due to no referee being available at Shobdon Airfield, with the first re-scheduled date at the aerodrome venue being postponed five weeks ago owing to the numerous waterlogged pitches created by Storm Eunice.

Despite not locking horns with Shobdon in league play so far this season, the black and white shirts have already recorded a stunning 11-2 thrashing of the basement boys during a bitterly cold Herefordshire FA Charity Bowl cup quarter-final fixture at their aerodrome pitch 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 captain Tom Trigg, James Febery, Scott Roberts and Sam Branch all added to the visitors’ illustrious tally on the day.

Ian Merrick’s men will now have to wait until Saturday 16th April in order to finally face Shobdon in league play at their airfield venue, with Town’s next fixture due to be an evening encounter against eighth-placed Hinton at New Street, unusually being played this coming Thursday night (KO 7:30pm).

Ledbury last defeated the Broomy Hill outfit 2-0 at their venue back in mid-September, with first-half goals from Curt Williams and Josh Burns being enough to seal the win as Dale Taylor was named man of the match for the black and white shirts for a stellar defensive display throughout the game.

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Tenbury Town v Ledbury Town Reserves

Sole Ledbury goalscorer that day George Walker goes on a determined-looking 67th minute run away from an opposing counterpart as visiting captain Matti Holder calls from behind (📸: Chris Ponter)

Ledbury Town Reserves lost out 3-1 against Tenbury Town at the Brimfield and Little Hereford Sports Club this week, in what was the first Herefordshire FA County League Division One meeting between the two sides this season after a prior original fixture at New Street was cancelled five weeks ago due to a waterlogged pitch created by Storm Eunice.

Despite the teams being positioned next to each other in mid-table, Tenbury stormed ahead from very early on in the warm early spring sunshine, with both Callum Gittens and James Lort putting the ball past Ledbury Town Swifts caretaker manager Nick Blakeway within the first ten minutes as the reserves just couldn’t seem to get going.

Jack Moran struck a third for the hosts thirteen minutes into the second half, as a better latter period of play from David Butcher’s young squad nevertheless saw first team midfielder George Walker’s very late stoppage time goal being of mere consolation to the black and white shirts after allowing their opponents to claim a comfortable three points.

An opening effort from Kieran Loveridge struck shortly after Gittens opened Tenbury’s scoring account was deflected by the home goalkeeper at the near post, before Blakeway somehow managed to keep the ball out of the net twice despite receiving the leather to the face as the visiting defence showed signs of struggling from very early on.

Alex Berry then made a decisive clearance, sliding out towards the near wing to fire the ball over the neighbouring clubhouse, before Blakeway and Butcher alike vented their fury over their side seemingly having not woken up that afternoon when Lort put away his side’s second.

A very-much-unlucky thirteenth minute of play for the Ledbury second string saw Walker’s goal disallowed on the grounds of an offside flag being displayed by the opposing substitute player running the far sideline, with referee for the day Ian Jervis walking over for a word with a reserves manager who was clearly aggrieved over the controversial decision.

The visitors returned the favour with Swifts youngster Sam Booth raising a further offside flag as the Tenbury striker chipped the ball over the bar regardless, before Morgan Skidmore came down in painful-sounding fashion following a home challenge just outside the box.

The hardworking Ledbury man of the match that afternoon was soon back on his feet however, as a corner ball from the hosts on the half-hour mark came off the stomach of Blakeway from the ground to see nearby James Kenny make the clearance.

A corner set-piece delivered by Walker back downfield was struck by Jake Bramley to be saved by the opposing keeper, before Blakeway, seemingly in the wars that day, rushed out to collide with an incoming Tenbury attacker with Brad Potter in the mix as well as the blow incurred by the reserves goaltender’s leg was nevertheless awarded a goal kick, even if the hosts felt that they had earned at least a corner ball.

The visitors saw two further chances to grab a goal back before the interval go begging as Skidmore’s strike soared wide of the far post, before Loveridge’s free kick was put to the left of the two-man wall of opposing players before rolling well wide of the same section of woodwork.

Tenbury lapped up the sun over the break as Ledbury conversely retired to the changing room with much to discuss, with the second period still not bearing any fruit for them as a series of opening corner balls from Walker went astray.

Jai Smallwood came on for Potter in a first change of personnel from Butcher’s well-staffed subs bench that day, before Tom Skittery, unusually quiet with few opportunities to get into a goalscoring position throughout the first half of play, finally gained possession towards the far sideline and played the ball in, even if his finish lacked the power needed to trouble the home goaltender.

Moran then made it three to the burgundy and blue shirts to land the reserves in all sorts of trouble, before a great cross from Bramley saw Skittery nod the ball over the bar as Bramley himself was then replaced by sixteen-year-old Jake Clueit in a second substitution for the visitors.

The Tenbury keeper claimed and shielded the ball on the ground just in the nick of time with Skittery charging in too late to finish the job as his cry of frustration attested, before Loveridge’s cross-shot from the touchline was cleanly caught by the home goaltender leaping straight up from his line.

A good ball from Smallwood was intercepted and kicked away from Skittery in the box by an opposing defender, with Butcher choosing to make a double substitution with Nick Bolton and Booth coming on for Berry and Kenny respectively as twenty minutes remained for Ledbury to try and claw at least something from their latest encounter.

Youngster Kai Davis replaced Loveridge in another reserves shake-up as a goal remained yet to be found with quarter of an hour left on the clock, before a Tenbury substitution was followed by Walker, the home keeper and one of his defenders becoming involved in a similar situation to the collision which afflicted Blakeway’s leg earlier, as Jervis again chose to give a goal kick despite the goaltender in question appearing to pull on Walker’s shirt.

Tenbury made one final change of personnel as five minutes remained for Butcher’s squad to find a consolation goal at best, with the home keeper again making a good call in advancing off his line to seize the ball well on the ground towards the near side of the box away from an advancing Skittery.

Walker finally managed to slot the ball in at the far post just after the ninety minutes had elapsed, receiving it after Skittery was denied in the box following an apparent handball offence from an opposing defender which went ignored by the official despite Ledbury captain Matti Holder’s protests to the contrary, with one final corner ball from Skittery soaring over the box as the reserves were left to chalk another game up to experience.

Butcher was disappointed with his side’s latest performance after managing to hold Tenbury’s higher-placed United outfit to a goalless draw at New Street during their second meeting of the season last weekend, commenting:

“It wasn’t the best performance from the lads this week; in fact it was probably our worst performance so far this season.”

“Conceding two goals in the first fifteen minutes didn’t help, and continuing to miss chances week in week out is now costing us.”

“We never looked like we wanted it out there, which is a shame but oh well, we live and learn and go again next week.”

The Ledbury second string retain their seventh place position in the table despite this latest defeat, two points clear of their opponents this week below them as they begin April with a second meeting of the season against lowly Holme Lacy Reserves away this coming weekend, KO 2:30pm.

Butcher’s squad then have the good fortune of three consecutive home encounters, beginning with a midweek game against current third place holders Hereford Pegasus Colts on Wednesday 6th April (KO 7:30pm), before hosting fifth-placed Ross Juniors HCL the following Saturday and sixth-placed Kington Town Reserves on Saturday 16th April (both games KO 2:30pm).

The New Street second string will be hoping for a repeat or better of the convincing 4-0 victory achieved against Holme Lacy at the Ledbury Rugby Football Club Ross Road ground back in mid-January, when a late first-half goal from Sam Branch was followed by Skittery finding the net on the 63rd minute with Nathan Ince scoring twice during the final twenty minutes after coming on as a substitute, even if the first team striker was booked by referee for the day Mark Hays as Loveridge was named man of the match.

Ledbury recorded a narrow 3-2 defeat against Pegasus Colts at Old School Lane during their final game before the Christmas break, with Will Clarke finding a brace for the hosts as team-mate Kieron Davies picked up a third, with Callum Blackmore-Davey and Potter on target for the reserves as captain Bolton picked up the man of the match accolade.

A 2-1 loss resulted against Ross Juniors at the Ross-on-Wye Sports Centre at the end of January, during a scrappy stop-start affair which saw all the goals come from penalties awarded by referee Derek Smith, with Mike Donaldson scoring twice from the spot for Ross, Loveridge converting the visitors’ penalty and Booth being named man of the match during his debut for the Ledbury second string.

Finally, a heavier 5-2 defeat was incurred by Butcher’s team at Mill Street against the Kington second string towards the end of September, with a Tom Crichton treble being accompanied by goals from booked team-mate Harry Bowen and Sam Roberts, as an own goal from the hosts occurred on the 67th minute after Branch found the net for the visitors three minutes before the interval, with Potter being awarded man of the match for Ledbury on this occasion.

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