Shobdon FC 1, Ledbury Town 3
Following their epic 8-7 win on penalties which sent them through to the semi-finals of this most unusual season’s Herefordshire FA Charity Bowl cup competition, Ledbury Town returned to Shobdon FC a fortnight later to complete a double victory to mark their first Herefordshire FA County League Premier Division fixture of May.
Kieran Meek put Dean Rutter and Nick Blakeway’s senior squad ahead on the tenth minute after being released by Dwayne Tyndale shortly after Alistair Holder won the ball in midfield, before new Ledbury signing this season Alexander Hunter saw his header saved following a well-placed free kick delivered by Meek.
Town man of the match Joshua Worrell made a terrific save from a similarly impressive Shobdon free kick, before the hosts equalized come the interval with a cross from the right wing which was not cut out by the visitors in the box, providing Ledbury’s opponents with a simple tap-in.
The tide of the game appeared to be turning Shobdon’s way after Charlie Jones was booked for a late challenge, even if George Walker wasted no time in making his mark on the game after being swapped for Gavin Walton on the 70thminute by creating a great chance for Meek who pulled the ball wide.
The Town youngster missed a prime chance to regain the lead once more for his side in clipping the ball over the bar after receiving a superb cross from visiting captain Curt Williams, before managing to pick the ball up from a Holder throw-in to see Tyndale cross the ball into the box, providing second Ledbury substitute player Sam Branch with the header he needed to finally break the deadlock.
The drama continued into the closing quarter-hour of the encounter as an aggrieved Tyndale was ordered to the sin bin in what was the first such sanction incurred by Town since the league restart following the last national COVID-19 lockdown, before Tom Skittery found the visitors’ third and final goal through drawing the keeper out, turning round and slotting home after receiving a good ball into the box from Branch.
The heat was turned up further going into the closing minutes as Blakeway was shown yellow for persistently voicing his disapproval from the dugout over decisions being made by the official, before Worrell was flattened through the physical pushing and shoving which was starting to occur in the Town box.
The visitors were over the moon however with the 3-1 win which resulted as they next prepare for the hotly-anticipated Charity Bowl semi-final clash against formidable league leaders Clee Hill United at New Street this coming weekend, KO 2:00pm.
QUICK MATCH FACTS
LEDBURY TOWN STARTING LINE-UP:
1 – Joshua Worrell
2 – Alex Hunter
3 – Tom Trigg
4 – Charlie Jones
5 – Gavin Walton
6 – Matt Rooke
7 – Curt Williams (captain)
8 – Alistair Holder
9 – Kieran Meek
10 – Dwayne Tyndale
11 – Tom Skittery
SUBS – George Walker (on for Gavin Walton at 70 min), Sam Branch, Brad Potter
GOALSCORERS – Kieran Meek (10 min), Sam Branch (75 min), Tom Skittery (80 min)
YELLOW CARDS – Charlie Jones (55 min), Nick Blakeway (82 min)
STAR PLAYER – Joshua Worrell
