Town’s title bid continues (From Ledbury Reporter)

Town’s title bid continues

10:00am Friday 11th January 2013 in Football

 LEDBURY Town stepped up their West Midlands Football League Division Two promotion bid in their first game since December 8.

Chris Powell’s men beat mid-table Wrens Nest 4-0 at New Street with their 10th league win of the season beginning 2013 in style.

Prolific Ledbury striker Tom Boyle sent over a dangerous early cross before Dan Herbert and Jamie Welch linked in the box, resulting in a shot which went just wide.

The Dudley visitors received an early yellow card for a Nicholas Ball foul and their keeper Stuart Hillman saved the resulting Welch free-kick.

Hillman denied Welch again minutes later before a flurry of Ledbury corners led to the breakthrough.

Martin Loveridge’s welltaken flag-kick ended with Boyle blasting home following a goalmouth scramble.

In the 20th minute, a James Febery strike was saved before another Loveridge corner was held by Hillman.

Ledbury added to their lead when a fine Neil Gardiner run was foiled by the defence but Welch was on hand to net.

A superb 25-yard Boyle strike bounced off the bar on 30 minutes before Ledbury keeper Lewis Skyers made his first save from Gareth Hadden.

However, Welch then slipped the ball into the bottom corner to produce a rather unexpected third goal.

Late in the first period, a close-range Gardiner effort following another run smashed off the post.

But Ledbury’s fourth goal arrived on 50 minutes through Herbert’s powerful shot into the net. Another strike from Welch was stopped by the keeper’s feet.

A header from Welch was cleared off the line but, at the other end, Nest should have gained a consolation only to miss an open goal.

The visitors spent the last 10 minutes a player short due to an injury but Ledbury’s James Dean saw red soon after following two yellow cards for a foul and dissent. Ledbury, just three points below leaders Newport Town, head to rivals Bartestree tomorrow for a Herefordshire FA Challenge Cup semi-final (1.30pm).

A final against Pegasus Juniors or Westfields potentially awaits at Hereford United’s Edgar Street. A team and supporters’ coach leaves New Street for Bartestree at noon.