Styles hat-trick as Town open up a four-point lead

4:30pm Thursday 11th March 2010

By Malcolm Hughes

WITH their two main rivals involved in a cup-tie, Leominster Town, who played two games in the week, opened up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier Division of the Hereford Times Herefordshire League.

They were never at their best when they met a hard-working visiting Lads Club side at Bridge Street, but still ran out 5-0 winners. They led 3-0 at the break through Justin Wickham, who found the back of the net with an intended cross, and a brace from Kenny Styles.

Styles went on to complete his hat-trick whilst Adie Bennett completed the scoring from a rebound. Stand-in keeper Danny Hill performed well for Lads Club.

Town met Westfields Reserves at allpay.park two days earlier and played out a 1-1 draw. Leominster went ahead midway through the first half when Mark Rusling rounded off a swift attack which also involved Sam Pearson, Dan Stack and Wickham.

The city side converted a hotly disputed penalty on 75 minutes to salvage a point.

Westfields Reserves’ chances of retaining their title are disappearing fast after they dropped two more points in a 2-2 home draw with Bromyard Town Reserves on Saturday.

Wellington Reserves scored a second-half goal to beat visiting Kington Town by 1-0 in a closely fought encounter. Although defences were generally on top Keith Jones, for Wellington, and Davies for Town failed to capitalise on one-on-one situations in the first half.

Nick Williams took a quick free-kick on halfway, and when the ball was crossed into the middle, Kit Williams was on hand to knock home the winner. Jon Anning forced a stunning save from Dan Tecza to protect the Reserves’ lead.

Ledbury Town Reserves reached the final of the Strongbow Senior Cup with a thrilling, hard fought win at Ewyas Harold in the semi-final.

In similar fashion to their clash in the Charity Bowl a month earlier, the game needed extra-time after the sides were locked 2-2 after 90 minutes. On that occasion the Town side scored the winner during the extra 30 minutes, but on this occasion it needed penalties to split the two sides as the tie finished 3-3 after extra time.

In a game of many chances, Matt Pitt put the villagers ahead twice, but first Jamie Welch and then Dan Herbert tied the score.

Mark Avery conceded a penalty in extra-time, but then atoned for his error by heading home from a corner to send the tie into a shoot-out.

Ledbury won it 4-2 and will now meet Holme Lacy in the final after the villagers shook off their dismal league form to beat visiting city side Hinton 4-2 and reach their first senior cup final. Stuart Mills (2) and Luke Winter (2) scored for Holme Lacy.