Ledbury Town's West Midland Premier Division clash at Smethwick was the first test for new management duo of Ian Ford and Kevin Barry and their side gained the expected victory.

SMETHWICK ST 1, LEDBURY TOWN 4

Fielding a much-changed side with two new signings, Steve Oldcheck and Russell Wilton, Ledbury were made to fight all the way by the lowly-placed but hard-working Smethwick team.

Ledbury opened the scoring when leading scorer Robbie Colwell was brought down in the penalty area and he converted the spot kick with ease.

Ledbury were looking for a second goal to deflate the battling Smethwick and it arrived with a little fortune.

Colwell once again rounded the home defence and crossed low into the area where a home defender was unlucky to steer the ball past his own goalkeeper.

This goal boosted Ledbury and the back four of Green, Oldcheck, Powell and Jones started to look more dominant and played with an air of confidence.

The second half saw Ledbury increase the pressure with the midfield trio of Smith, Edwards and Stockley passing the ball round comfortably.

Ledbury went 3-0 in front when a corner saw Stockley rise well to beat the goalkeeper with a powerful header.

Minutes later Colwell was on target again with a low drive to put Ledbury 4-0 up.

The introduction of substitutes, Jamie Welch, Kenny Jones and Russell Wilton created more pressure and led to more chances and Welch was unlucky to see his excellent lob hit the crossbar.

Colwell then also struck the crossbar with a great shot before Smethwick broke away and Sandip Singh slotted a consolation goal past Town goalkeeper Adam Penny from a good cross.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Ledbury Town are at home in the league to Wolverhampton Casuals, kick-off 2.45pm.