A STUNNING brace from Tom Boyle and an imperious defensive display secured Ledbury a impressive 2-1 win against high-flying AFC Kempsey in the Herefordshire ZZOOMM Premier Division.
Ian Merrick's side were able to brush aside the disappointment of last week's game against Gloucester City and claim a deserved three points.
Both sides failed to create many chances in the conditions, but Ledbury were much more clinical and positive in their passing than Kempsey.
The game started quickly, with both sides looking to get off the mark early, and two of the best chances came inside the opening 10 minutes.
Cosmin Micula chipped the ball into the path of the Luca Knapper, whose effort was hit low and hard but Jonty Scott was able to smother the opportunity.
Moments later, Kempsey nearly took the lead. Ryan Smith's corner fell to Jacob Ward, whose strike had Alex Goode rooted to his line. A crucial block on the line by Lewis Tolley kept the scores level.
Kempsey were at their most dangerous early on. A clever piece of play from Ethan O'Neil found Ward at the back post but he could only find the side netting.
Ledbury were let off again shortly after, as Declan King's long-range header forced a sharp stop from Goode.
Neither side were able to grab a foothold for a while as the game turned scrappy, with both teams holding strong at the back.
A crucial foul won by Tom Boyle seemed to be the turning point for Ledbury, he duly converted a fabulous 30-yard strike rocketing into the top right corner, leaving the goalkeeper scrambling.
Kempsey seemed to lose their way towards the end of the half, and Ledbury then won a penalty after Nathan Ince was brought down in the area.
Tom Boyle stepped up and smashed the ball high into the top right corner past Scott, who stood no chance even if he had gone the right way.
Ledbury finished the half strongly, with chances from Knapper and Ince. The half-time whistle couldn't come soon enough for Kempsey, who seemed to lose their way in the game.
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The away side looked off the pace but did create some better chances in the second period of play.
William Stallard had an early opportunity, with his header taking a deflection and being pushed away by Goode, but only into the path of O'Neil, who blazed his effort over the bar.
Kempsey looked to have been handed a lifeline when Ledbury conceded a penalty, which was converted by substitute Aaron Brett.
Tom Boyle came close to getting his hat-trick when he chested Sam Sheen's ball down and volleyed from distance; Scott was far off his line and could only watch as the ball just missed the target.
Another chance fell to Tom Boyle from a free kick, as the ball only just skirted around the right-hand post with the keeper beaten.
Ledbury were nearly made to pay for those missed opportunities when Kempsey worked a ball in behind the defence, with Josh Cochrane having his effort saved. The ball fell to Smith, whose effort was blocked.
O'Neil followed up Smith's effort and smashed the ball from close range as Ledbury defenders threw themselves at the ball – that effort just about summed up Kempsey's night.
Ledbury remain 10th after the win, while the loss proved much more costly for AFC Kempsey, who currently sit 2nd as they looked to close the gap on leaders Alcester.
New Street will play host to Ledbury's next match against Kington Town on Saturday, 29th March.
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