WELLINGTON took a step closer to securing the Zzoomm Herefordshire Football League Premier Division title on Saturday as they beat title challengers Ledbury Town at the Kensal Ground 4-1.

The eagerly anticipated match had been viewed as potentially deciding the destination of the title and in turn securing promotion into step six of the non-league football pyramid.

It was the home side Wellington that gained an early advantage from the penalty spot after Freddie Fox was adjudge to be fouled.

Wellington doubled their lead after 30 minutes when Will Loughman picked up the ball 30 yards from goal and rocketed a shot into the top corner.

Ledbury have been the nearly men in recent seasons and it was starting to look difficult for them before this fixture after a few draws in the league.

However their ambitions stayed strong and they fought their way back in to the match, via a header to cut the deficit and hold hope of catching the league leaders.

The match was living up to the billing, providing excitement in a feisty contest and the advantage again swung the way of the hosts right before half-time as Harley Morris was played through before beating the oncoming keeper.

Wellington managed the second half well to keep their lead and a second Wilf Munn penalty in the 78th minute secured all three points to sit sit top of the HFL Premier by two points with games in hand.

Meanwhile, Kington Town’s run of good form in 2024 continued at a wet Mill Street as they beat a Malvern Town Development side 1-0 thanks to a George Andrews goal.

Kington now sit second in the league although others have matches in hand over them.

At the other end of the table the bottom two sides met as Holme Lacy travelled to Tenbury United. A Toby King hat-trick helped secure a big win for the Herefordshire team in a resounding 6-2 victory, as Holme Lacy pulled away from bottom place Tenbury.