A SUPERB Lee Hooper hat-trick helped Ledbury to an rather unconvincing West Midlands premier division win over Casuals at New Street.

LEDBURY TOWN 4, WOLVERHAMPTON CASUALS 2

Casuals threatened from the start and took the lead on 24 minutes when a long ball saw Craig Humphries race out of his box but his attempted control saw him chest the ball down into the path of striker Paul Holden who walked the ball into an empty net.

Ten minutes later Casuals had the ball in the net again only to see the Adrian Jones effort ruled offside. Ledbury drew level on 40 minutes after Stuart Hall won possession in midfield and fed the ball to Stuart Smith. He skipped past two tackles before picking out Lee Hooper whose powerful strike from 18 yards gave the keeper no chance.

On 44 minutes Ledbury conceded a free kick on the edge of the area and Casuals' Mark Webb squared the ball to Craig Frost who hit an unstoppable shot to give the visitors a half time 2-1 lead.

Two sublime strikes by Lee Hooper midway through the second-half saw Ledbury regain the lead. His first was courtesy of some Stuart Smith skill down the left and his cross was swept home from six yards. Hooper then completed his hat-trick after a long throw-in from Oliver Thompson was flicked-on by Steve Olczak and he volleyed home from eight yards.

Craig Humphries in the Ledbury goal then redeemed himself with two fine one-on-one saves to keep the visitors out.

On 70 minutes Casuals were reduced to ten men when centre back Ross Millar was sent off for violent conduct.

The game was made safe with five minutes remaining when Matty Gray picked out Neil Gardiner, who superbly lobbed the visiting keeper from 25 yards.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Ledbury Town travel to Lye Town for a West Midlands premier division fixture, kick-off 2.45pm.

Ledbury Reserves bowed out of the Smedley Crooke cup with a 6-0 defeat at Northfield.