REIGNING Herefordshire County League champions Clee Hill sent a message to their title rivals with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Wellington Reserves.

With the win Clee went top of the Premier Division, but rivals Malvern Town Reserves and Holme Lacy both have games in hand.

Malvern put early pressure on their rivals with a 2-1 victory over Shobdon in a Friday night fixture on their new 3G pitch.

However, Kington Town also kept pace as Dale Richards' brace helped them to a 6-2 victory over Bartestree.

Callum Craddock, Callum Davies, Brian Dyer and Nick Evans also found the net for Kington.

Elsewhere, Hereford Pegasus Reserves lost points on the leaders after seeing Ledbury Town respond twice before taking a 3-2 victory.

Peggy took an early lead before Kieran Loveridge pulled his side back level on the half-hour mark.

A potential second goal for the visitors was then ruled out on the more unusual grounds of the ball being deflected off referee for the day Christopher Bounds on the halfway line.

The visitors felt harshly done when Peggy regained the lead and looked to be in charge. However, the visitors were awarded a penalty 10 minutes from time, dispatched by Josh Tomkins.

Man of the match Loveridge then sealed Ledbury victory with a superb long-range effort from outside the box to clinch an impressive fourth win on the bounce.

Westfields Reserves also lost ground in the title battle after falling to a 2-1 defeat at Ludlow Colts.

Owen Bolton scored the only goal for the visitors.

Lads Club Reserves gave their Division One top-four hopes a lift with a narrow 2-1 win over Ledbury Town Reserves.

Harry Holmans and William Hooper found the goal for the Widemarsh Common outfit.

Elsewhere, Alex Bright scored a hat-trick for title hopefuls Tenbury Town as they secured a 3-1 win over Wellington Colts