LEDBURY Town swept aside Ro-Stars Hereford 4–1 at New Street, with centre-half James Febery scoring twice and brother Ben also on target.
Joe Thomas grabbed the other as Ian Merrick’s side dominated from start to finish and could easily have reached double figures.
The hosts started on the front foot. Cosmin Micula slipped Rory Wilkinson through in the opening minutes, but Adriano Giromoli saved smartly at his near post.
Wilkinson had another chance moments later, but his weak effort was gathered comfortably by the keeper.
Ro-Star’s defence was immediately under pressure. When Ben Febery teed up Thomas, only a brilliant sliding block from Okan Yakubov kept the scores level.
The breakthrough came midway through the half. Micula’s corner was whipped into the box and James Febery powered his header into the top corner.
Despite their dominance, Ledbury switched off at the back and were punished. A neat Ro-Star move ended with Andrei Mihalcea finishing calmly to level the match.
The home side responded by creating chance after chance. Wilkinson dragged wide, Sam Webb thumped a header against the post, and Thomas somehow missed an open goal from close range.
It looked like frustration might creep in, but just before half-time Micula drove forward and squared for Thomas, who swept home to restore the lead.
The second half began in the same fashion. Webb scuffed wide when well placed, while Mihalcea briefly tested Oscar Bignell, forcing him into his only save of the night.
Ledbury’s third arrived just past the hour mark. Dean Lee crossed from the left and Ben Febery produced a deft outside-of-the-boot finish into the far corner.
The hosts could have run riot from there. Substitute Josh Burns curled wide, then won a penalty when Ryan Pugh was fouled by Giromoli, but Burns’ weak spot-kick was saved.
It summed up a night where Ledbury were rampant in attack but wasteful in front of goal. On another evening, they might have hit ten.
There was still time for one more in stoppage time. Ben Febery delivered a dangerous free-kick and James nodded home from close range to seal his brace and a 4–1 win.
The scoreline barely reflected Ledbury’s dominance. With the Febery’s leading the charge and Micula dictating play, this was a statement victory, even if the finishing left plenty to work on.
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