LEDBURY Town extended their lead at the top of the Herefordshire Premier Division by seven points this weekend after an astonishing free-kick gave them a 1-0 victory over Hereford Pegasus Reserves.

A quiet and innocuous first half developed which was surprisingly given the fierce recent rivalry between the two sides.

Ledbury had overcome the Pegasus second string 3-1 on penalties a month previously to knock the Herefordshire FA Charity Bowl title holders out of the first round of this season’s contest.

The second half opened up and gave way to a tense second half with both teams gaining a number of chances. 

It wasn’t until the 77th minute that top visiting goal-scorer and last season’s league golden boot Tom Boyle took his stunning free-kick which flew into the net.

His goal sparked a euphoric celebration with the rest of his team and club representatives.

An extended period of stoppage time saw Town hang on to claim an invaluable win. 

Pegasus continued their attack early in the game without truly threatening Alexander Goode.

Goode was called upon to make a save at the far post to stop a stronger Reserves effort.

Five minutes before the break a Joel Skyers free-kick was denied only through the Pegasus goaltender palming the ball over the crossbar. 

The ensuing corner set-piece was headed just wide of the far post by Ben Febery under pressure from the Reserves defence.

Pegasus responded after the break with an attacker racing down the near side-line and his cross came off Dale Taylor’s chest and into Goode in nervy fashion. 

Peggy tried their luck from 20 yards out to see the effort roll wide of Town’s near post, before a brilliant ball into the box from Ryan Pugh back up the other end saw Boyle being unable to perform the finish in uncharacteristic fashion.

Goode left his line in bold fashion back downfield to take a throw-in from the near side-line as the hosts made a final substitution with 15 minutes left on the clock, only for the defining moment of the game to happen when Ryan Pugh came down with a bad challenge to see Boyle’s exemplary spot kick hit the back of the net to tumultuous cheers as he raced towards the side-line with his team-mates to embrace his older brother and vice-chairman. 

The victory sent Ledbury seven points above second placed Ledbury Town who have a game in hand.

Sporting Club Inkberrow are in third 10 points behind the leaders but with three games in hand after recording a 5-2 victory over Wellington Rangers.

Oliver Smith and Jordan Mann both scored for Welly but promotion hopefuls Inkberrow proved too strong.