LEDBURY Town Reserves reached their third semi-final of the season with success in the Herefordshire FA Burghill Cup.

The New Street hosts beat lower ranked Orleton Colts Reserves 6-4 in the last eight.

But the Herefordshire League Division Three outfit put up a fine battle in an exciting encounter.

In their final game before the Christmas break, Ledbury were confident after hammering rivals Bromyard 5-1 the previous weekend.

But their high spirits were shattered when Orleton found the net barely four minutes into the game.

However, Ledbury were back in the driving seat when captain Jamie Welch fired in two quick goals.

Welch completed his hat-trick by the 15-minute mark before returning forward Dan Hebert sealed a second-half treble.

The visitors kept the pressure on by clawing back three more goals, aided unexpectedly by Ledbury defender Marc Wildig.

Phil Preedy and Roly Welch’s side started playing downhill but 17-year-old keeper Elliot Watts was quickly beaten.

Jamie Welch walked a quick equaliser in past towering Orleton keeper Rory Arnold and then fired home a second.

Watts saved at the other end but then winger Gavin Hodgkins crossed for Jamie Welch to bag a swift hat-trick.

Both keepers were kept busy with Wildig clearing off the line.

Orleton were denied by the offside flag before scoring a second to reduce the deficit by half-time.

But Herbert got Ledbury off to a fine start in the second period by clinically lobbing Arnold.

He put the ball away in the bottom corner to extend the hosts’ lead in the 58th minute.

However, the unlucky Wildig knocked the ball into his own net and then Orleton fired in a rebound after Watts saved a free-kick.

But Herbert completed his treble in the 77th minute as Ledbury booked a date with Holme Lacy or Sinkum.

The third-placed reserves are out of action until Saturday, January 3, when they visit leaders Bromyard in Division One (2pm).

Ledbury Colts won 3-2 at high flying Belmont Wanderers to go second in the Division Three table.

Nick Bolton fired in a 40-yard lob and fellow forward Zeki Koral buried a bullet header from Patrick Morgan’s cross.

Morgan netted an injury time winner with a superb strike.