LEDBURY FC returned to winning ways as they edged out a quality Welland side 2-1 at New Street in the HFL Premier Division.
It was the visitors who struck first. George Denman rose highest to meet an in-swinging corner, powering his header home to give Welland the lead.
Their joy was short-lived. Moments later, Ledbury were handed a lifeline when substitute Nathan Ince was fouled in the box.
Ben Miller stepped up and, despite Charlie Barber getting a strong hand to the penalty, the strike had too much power and found the net.
The decisive moment came late on. A hopeful ball in behind caused confusion between Ollie Campbell and Barber, allowing Joe Thomas to nip in, round the keeper, and roll calmly into an empty net.
Ash Dallow in particular caused problems for Welland, swinging dangerous crosses into the area that almost found striker Dan Chessman on more than one occasion.
Ledbury did have chances of their own. Early on, Miller delivered a fine cross to Rory Wilkinson, whose header beat Barber but cannoned off the inside of the post and somehow bounced across the goal-line before being cleared.
Welland responded with intent. Milo Elmes forced a sharp save from Oscar Bignell, tipping his effort round the post.
Moments later, another chance fell to Elmes but Will Cape O’Reilly threw himself in the way to block.
The visitors were finding joy in midfield too. Samuel Naulls clipped a superb ball over the top to Chessman, who brought it down brilliantly and skipped past his man before firing just over the bar.
Welland looked the better side before the interval. Ledbury thought they had nicked a goal when Dean Lee broke away and slipped in substitute Ryan Pugh, who finished well. But the flag was raised and the teams went in level at half-time.
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The second half began with Welland on top. Chessman teed up Dallow on the wing, and his cross found Elmes unmarked in front of goal, but the forward somehow miscued his header with the net gaping.
The breakthrough came via another corner. Denman again rose highest, thumping his header into the net to put Welland deservedly in front.
But the lead lasted barely five minutes.
Ince was bundled over in the box, giving Ledbury another chance from the spot. Miller repeated his earlier success, his strike proving too powerful for Barber to keep out.
Both sides then pushed forward. Tolley blazed over from close range for Ledbury, while Elmes tested Bignell from distance at the other end.
Then came the killer blow. A simple ball in behind caused panic in the Welland defence, Campbell trying to shield it back to his keeper.
Thomas stole in, rounded Barber, and slotted home to give Ledbury the lead.
Welland threw men forward in search of an equaliser. Chessman dragged a shot just wide from the edge of the area, and Naulls went agonisingly close with a free kick that struck the post.
But Ledbury clung on. It was far from a polished performance, but Merrick’s side held their nerve to take all three points.
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