Town Reserves win Ross A Cup

ROSS UNITED SERVICES 1, LEDBURY RESERVES 4

Ledbury were very slow to start and were indebted to some fine tackles by Captain Lee Clueit and Paul Phillips.

As the game progressed the Ledbury youngsters started to find their feet with Ehrlich and Clueit pulling the strings. The continuous running of Tomkins and Jones down both flanks was beginning to have some success giving Grubb and James the support and possession Ledbury needed.

The Ross attack was starting to look very poor, mainly due to the fact they were up against a solid Ledbury defence in Lancett, Paul Phillips and player managers Leigh Phillips and Leon Roberts.

With the half coming to an end Ledbury had seen more and more chances slip them by and got caught out by a sucker punch when Ross forced home a goal during a goalmouth scramble. Half time 1-0.

The second half carried on where the first had finished with Ledbury laying siege on the Ross 18 yard box, when the Ledbury goal came it was worth the wait.

Player manager Leon Roberts weaved his way past numerous challenges during a 30 yard run at the oppositions tiring defence. His shot was too venomous for the home keeper to hold and the ball fell to fellow manager and defender Leigh Phillips who fired home from ten yards to give Ledbury their deserved equaliser.

The game was now there for the taking and it was Ledbury who got their noses in front when Lee Clueit capitalised on some poor Ross defending, as he rifle home his effort.

At 2-1 the defining moment of the game happened when Ross looked to have equalised but were denied by a couple of brilliant saves by young keeper Andy Smith.

Directly after that Steve Baker, on as sub, hammered home a goal to put Ledbury safe and with time running out young Neil Gardiner raced onto Owen Ravenscroft's pass and sealed victory with a fine finish.

Credit also must go to Gavin Locke for the part he played in helping Ledbury get to the final.

Man of the match: Matty Ehrlich.