LEDBURY Town ended their winless run in dramatic fashion on Friday night (October 31), sealing a 3–2 victory over Pegasus at New Street thanks to a freak late free-kick from Cosmin Micula.
It was a rollercoaster HFA Premier Division clash full of energy, errors and emotion – and a night that finally went Ledbury’s way after weeks of frustration.
The home side started brightly, immediately putting Pegasus under pressure.
Nathan Ince fired a dangerous ball across to Rory Wilkinson, who saw two efforts blocked before Zac Bruton sliced a follow-up wide from the edge of the box.
Pegasus looked to respond with balls in behind, but Ben Febery was sharp to the danger, producing a perfectly timed challenge to stop Aleksandras Striunga from breaking through.
Ryan Dobbins then tested Pegasus keeper Joe Moroney with a fierce volley that forced a sharp save as Ledbury continued to pile forward.
Moments later, Dobbins made no mistake.
A heavy touch from Moroney handed the striker possession, and Dobbins calmly rolled the ball into the empty net to put Ledbury ahead.
Barely a minute later, it was two.
Josh Burns powered his way through the Pegasus defence and poked his finish into the bottom corner, doubling Ledbury’s lead and sending the home crowd into full voice.
Pegasus struggled to get a foothold before the break, with Alfie Althorp overhitting a promising through-ball and Striunga failing to punish a rare defensive slip.
Ledbury went into half-time two goals to the good and in complete control.
But the game turned on its head straight after the restart.
Two goalkeeping errors from Oscar Bignell gifted Pegasus a way back.
First, a routine stop somehow squirmed loose, allowing Carl Horton to bundle the ball home on the line.
Then Striunga’s low shot bounced awkwardly, looping off the turf and over Bignell’s shoulder to make it 2–2.
From there, the visitors grew in confidence.
Jack Howes had a great chance to put Pegasus in front but dragged his shot wide, while Ledbury’s momentum seemed to evaporate.
Wilkinson did force a save from Moroney late on, but it looked as though the points would be shared.
Then came the late twist.
Deep into injury time, Ledbury won a free-kick just inside the Pegasus half.
Micula stepped up and delivered a teasing ball into the box that evaded everyone, bounced awkwardly, and looped over the advancing Moroney into the net.
It was a bizarre goal to win a bizarre game – but Ledbury won’t care one bit.
After weeks without a win, Ian Merrick’s side finally had something to celebrate, showing character to dig deep and find a way over the line.
Next up is the HFA Charity Bowl match at home to AFC Kempsey on Friday, November 7 – a chance for Ledbury to build some confidence going forward.
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