LEDBURY Town Reserves suffered rare cup disappointment this season after a 3-1 home defeat to Fownhope Reserves.

Phil Preedy and Roly Welch’s side fell in the HJ Handley Cup quarter-finals in a match moved to Ledbury Cricket Club due to the ongoing closure of the New Street ground.

The reserves have already reached two 2014-15 finals in the Herefordshire FA’s Burghill Cup and Junior Cup.

Ledbury will not have to wait long for a chance for retribution as they host Fownhope tomorrow in the Ross Cup semi-finals (2pm).

Their Herefordshire League Division One rivals proved a physical and pacy outfit, giving the hosts plenty of problems.

Forward Dan Herbert gave Ledbury a fifth-minute lead, only for Fownhope to level quickly when a free-kick deflected off the far post and was fired home on the rebound.

Teenage home keeper Elliot Watts saved with his knees, and experienced defender Pat Locke was kept busy in front of him.

But Ledbury were unlucky not to reclaim the lead on 18 minutes when captain Jamie Welch’s shot was diverted onto the post by the keeper’s outstretched foot.

Fownhope continued to threaten with their pace as the game became heated at times.

Welch headed a fine cross into the keeper’s hands for Ledbury, but they had a let-off when another free-kick went harmlessly wide.

Herbert fired two efforts off target early in the second period, and the team’s failure to find an elusive second goal was to prove costly as the game went on.

Fownhope took the lead for the first time on the hour mark, although the scorer suffered a game-ending toe injury in the process and had to be substituted.

Ledbury went close to an equaliser when Martin Loveridge’s 20-yard free-kick was spilled by the keeper, but Herbert struck the loose ball wide.

Welch had an effort blocked and Town forced a string of corners, which came to nothing. Herbert continued to lack luck in front of goal with a strike over the bar, and young winger Gavin Hodgkins also went close six minutes from time.

However, Fownhope’s determination paid off as a deflected ball was struck past Watts late on for the killer third goal.

Curtis Bounds, Chris Honey and Dan James scored for the villagers, who are seventh in the division.