Ledbury FC got their 2026 campaign off to the perfect start with a dramatic late winner, claiming a thrilling 3–2 victory over Ludlow FC Reserves in the HFA Premier Division.
Ludlow started brightly, with Lloyd Moreton and James Byatt combining well in the early stages. Byatt thought he had given the visitors the lead only for the goal to be narrowly ruled out for offside.
Moments later, Ledbury should have scored. Regan Tonkinson rushed from his goal to deal with Ben Febery’s ball but could only clear as far as Rory Wilkinson.
Wilkinson struck his effort cleanly, but Tom Poyner was perfectly positioned on the line to deny Ledbury the opener.
Ryan Dobbins went close shortly after but his effort flashed just wide of the right-hand post.
Ledbury grew in confidence and got their reward midway through the first half.
A brilliant run from Dobbins down the outside drew Tonkinson away from his near post, allowing him to clip the ball back to Wilkinson, who fired into the centre of the net.
Matt Mannion should have doubled the hosts’ advantage soon after, but he dragged his effort, allowing Tonkinson to gather comfortably as another opportunity went begging.
Those missed chances proved costly, as Ludlow captain Thomas Dwyer brought the visitors level before the break with a powerful header beyond the reach of Oscar Bignell.
Bignell had moments earlier produced an excellent save to deny Dwyer’s acrobatic effort, but Ludlow made no mistake from the resulting corner, sending the sides in level at half-time.
The second half began with Ledbury firmly on the front foot but once again they were unable to capitalise on their early pressure.
Wilkinson should have added his second but snatched at his shot from just a few yards out, getting the ball caught under his feet.
Dobbins then saw a smart effort well saved by Tonkinson after a superb flick looked destined for the bottom corner.
Yet again, Ledbury were punished. A superb corner delivery from Adam Gray picked out the towering Tom Poyner at the near post, whose header gave Ludlow an unexpected lead.
That advantage was short-lived. A sliced shot from Ryan Pugh fell kindly to Dobbins, who tucked the ball into the bottom right corner to restore parity.
Ledbury pushed for a winner in the closing stages, and just when it seemed the points would be shared, a moment of brilliance sealed the victory.
Macauley Martin spun away from his man and clipped a perfect ball into Dobbins, who swivelled, gave Tonkinson the eyes, and calmly slipped the ball into the bottom left corner one minute from time.
Ledbury’s next fixture sees them host 12th-placed Worcester United on Friday January 23, kick-off 7.45pm.
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