TOM Boyle scored a hat-trick as Ledbury Town sent out a strong message to the rest of the league by beating second-place Hereford Pegasus Reserves 3-1 on Friday evening.

Boyle flicked a header home after just ten minutes and made it 2-0 before half-time with a fierce strike.

The hat-trick was completed after the break before the home side pulled one back mid-way through the second period.

But Ledbury saw out the win to take them within a point of Pegasus FC Reserves and third placed Hereford Lads Club Reserves, with two games in hand over both.

The game under lights couldn't have started any better for Ledbury as not ten minutes had passed before Boyle got a rather fortunate touch on a free-kick from Ben Febery top put the visitors into the lead.

The half-hour mark saw a moment of peril for Ledbury when goalkeeper James Loader only just managed to prevent the ball from sneaking over the line.

But the confidence of the good crowd of away supporters was restored when Boyle fired the ball home to add a second goal and double the lead.

Loader made a couple more top saves to keep the hosts at bay before Boyle again went close to completing the hat-trick.

There were some nervy moments but the result was rubber-stamped with just over 20 minutes to go when Boyle did seal the hat-trick and take home the match ball.

Pegasus did get themselves on the scoresheet almost immediately after Ledbury's third as a header was scrambled over the line but it mattered not as Town held on for a big three points.