BARTESTREE picked up their first win of the new season against Herefordshire rivals Ledbury Town in West Midlands League Division One.

With both teams having been promoted last season, Ledbury were looking for revenge after Bartestree defeated them in a heated exchange back in May, that saw five red cards and Ledbury’s league title hopes disappear.

But the New Street side were toppled again in the latest derby, thanks to goals from Miles Langford, Daniel Hill and Ben Parry.

“We ran riot in the second- half,” said Bartestree manager Dave Cadwallader.

“The score could quite easily have been 7-1 and I don’t think Ledbury could have complained if it was - they just fell apart,” added the boss.

Bartestree striker Langford threatened from the off and was thwarted early on by Town goalkeeper Adam McTear.

Ledbury Town then had an opportunity in which Scott Claridge, Town’s new signing from Gloucester City, hit the side-netting.

Bartestree responded with a volley of shots at the Ledbury goal being kept out by a quick-thinking Joel Skyers on the line.

But Town’s resistance didn’t last long when Langford charged down McTear and deflected the keeper’s kick into the net to put the visitors ahead.

James Upcott then fired narrowly wide before Ledbury’s Tom Boyle received the first booking of the afternoon for bringing down Matthew Reeve, causing the home side’s players to swarm the Bartestree forward.

Mark Langford then knocked the resulting free- kick over, before a spate of yellow cards for Bartestree’s Daniel Hill and Mark Langford and Ledbury’s Jamie Welch and James Dean.

Pete Boyle then went close with a header for Ledbury just before the break.

“They should have scored early on but we had some good opportunities and their keeper made a string of good saves to keep it at 1-0 at half-time,” said Cadwallader.

“But in the second half we dominated and should have scored when Miles played in his brother Mark who managed to hit the post despite having an open goal.”

Ledbury’s Skyers tested Bartestree keeper Rauri Wargent early in the second period, with a super strike from 20 yards being spectacularly clawed away.

A free kick from Hill then flew just wide before another determined strike from Skyers soared over the woodwork.

Welch then missed the target minutes later, adding to the increasing anxiety of the Ledbury Town supporters.

And it was to get worse when Bartestree exploited their opponents’ failure to find an equalizer, with Hill heading home from Scott Turner’s corner.

Ben Parry then found the net to put the game beyond doubt.

Ledbury’s Tom Boyle had a shot cleared off the line by Matthew Reeve despite calls from home supporters that the ball had crossed the chalk, but Ledbury did get a consolation goal when Dan Herbert smashed home a loose ball dropped by Wargent.

“We should have scored more and Parry could have easily had a hat-trick,” said Cadwallader.

“Danny Hill was outstanding for us – when he plays well in defence, we have a good game.

“He is massive for us and Miles Langford worked his socks off today.

“There were several individuals who had outstanding games but it was such a great all-round team performance,” added the Bartestree boss.

Bartestree move up to second in the league on four points at this early stage of the season, whilst Ledbury lie in ninth with three.

This Saturday, Town face a third consecutive home game against Shrewsbury-based Hanwood United, who are currently bottom, with Bartestree hosting Hereford Lads Club.