LEDBURY Town Reserves continued to pursue the Herefordshire Football League Division One title with a 10-2 thrashing of Brimfield.

Phil Preedy and Roly Welch’s third-placed side are nine points behind leaders Bromyard with three games in hand but five behind on goal difference.

However, Dan Herbert’s four goals and a Jamie Welch hat-trick helped close the gap on their arch-rivals.

The game was played on the neighbouring pitch at Ledbury Cricket Club due to the continued closure of the New Street ground.

Ledbury Colts’ home game against Weston in Division Three was postponed as they had no suitable local pitch to use.

As a result, the reserves were bolstered by young forwards Patrick Morgan and Nick Bolton, who bagged a brace and single goal respectively against seventh-placed Brimfield.

Morgan blasted Ledbury ahead after five minutes from Herbert’s lay-off following Bolton’s run and cross.

Visiting forward Stefan Anthony fired in a quick equaliser just three minutes later.

But captain Welch drilled Ledbury back ahead in the 13th minute.

Both teams went close to adding to their tally before Morgan scored his second and Herbert bagged his first after Welch nodded down a corner.

Bolton headed in to make it 5-1 five minutes into the second-half but Brimfield quickly pulled another goal back from a goalmouth scramble.

Substitute Mitch Preedy converted a fine pass from Welch on 65 minutes but was pulled up for offside.

However, Herbert finally grabbed his second goal following Marc Wildig’s free-kick and Welch did likewise in the 70th minute.

The Brimfield defence then collapsed as Herbert completed his hat-trick from Welch’s cross.

Not wanting to be left out, Welch sealed his treble by dispatching a Martin Loveridge through-ball on 75 minutes.

Welch was denied a fourth by an offside flag and then curled another effort inches wide.

But Herbert managed to get Ledbury’s final score into double figures five minutes from time.

The reserves have a Ross Cup semi-final at home to fellow Division One side Fownhope Reserves tomorrow (2pm).

Second-placed Colts return to action at fellow high-fliers Orleton Colts Reserves on Saturday, February 21 (2.30pm).

Meanwhile, second-from-bottom Newent Town lost 2-0 at Ramblers in Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One.

They host Dursley Town tomorrow (3pm).