A FOUR-goal salvo from midfielder Tom Walton fired Ross-on-Wye to an emphatic 6-1 home win over county rivals Leominster 2nd in Herefords & Glos 1 of the N4 Financial Solutions West of England and South Wales League.

Adrian Williams gave Ross an early lead before Walton opened his account and then Phil Evans netted the home side’s third goal in the closing minutes of the first half.

Ross continued to dominate after the restart and man-of-the-match Walton netted a second-half hat-trick to sweep the home side into a resounding 6-0 lead.

The home side were reduced to 10 men after an injury to Evans before Leominster bagged a last-minute consolation goal from Duncan Trumper.

Hereford 2nd, who also compete in the section, took an early lead through Steve Alderton but slipped to a 3-2 defeat at Gloucester City 4th.

The visitors led 1-0 at the interval after Richard Edwards played an important defensive role in keeping out the home side.

Ashley Moore also played well for Hereford and shone on the right-side of the midfield.

Gloucester made a flying start to the second half and scored twice in 10 minutes before adding a crucial third goal.

Stuart Volpe reduced the deficit after a helping hand from his son, Dan, and then Hereford rattled a post as they pushed for an equaliser.

Title-chasing Leominster are level on points with table-topping Cardiff & UWIC 2nd in North Division 1 after a deserved 2-1 home win over Somerset Gryphons.

Leominster fell behind to an early penalty corner but responded strongly to take a 2-1 interval lead.

Nicko Evans and Rob Goodman netted for Leominster who then defended well in the second half and should have increased their advantage.

Hereford 3rd lost 4-0 at Newent 3rd in Herefords & Glos 2, while Ross-on-Wye 2nd were beaten 2-1 at Lansdown 4th.

Lansdown broke the deadlock after a poor piece of marking and Ross were then hampered by injuries to Adam Couch and skipper James Adamson.

Lansdown added a second goal after a mix-up between Tony Faulkner and goalkeeper Seb Sullivan who later made a series of outstanding saves.

Ross created chances after the break, many of which were spurned by Gareth Bowen.

The visitors pulled a goal back through a Matt Saunders flick after a neat exchange between Edward Peck and Sean Couch.

Lansdown were reduced to 10 men but Ross, who were inspired by the outstanding Richard Stewart, could not find an equaliser.

Hereford were without a match in Premier Division 3 after their scheduled opponents, Torbay, were not able to make the trip.