THE clash between the top two in the Hereford Times Herefordshire League Premier Division ended in a narrow 2-1 local-derby win for Sutton United against visiting Wellington Reserves.

The game was well contested, but United looked the stronger side in front of goal.

Matt Eaden, the Reserves keeper, produced an outstanding performance to keep his side in the contest right until the final whistle. A double save from Stuart New on the stroke of half-time was superb.

Aaron Morris opened the scoring for Wellington five minutes into the second half. Dan Herbert blocked an attempted clearance for the equaliser and New deftly curled in the second.

Nick Panniers almost snatched an equaliser late on, but Sutton held on to open up a four-point lead.

Favourites for the title, Westfields Reserves surprisingly went down 2-1 against bottom side Pegasus Reserves, who fielded a strong side in the midweek fixture at Old School Lane.

The game looked to be going to the formbook when Lee Ferneyhough volleyed Westfields ahead, but then the game changed in the run-up to half time. Player/manager Derek Craddock injured his knee in a clash with the home keeper and had to be replaced and, moments before the break, Pegasus equalised from a free-kick.

Pegasus scored the winner in the second half.

Ewyas Harold scored early on at Leominster Town and went on to record a 3-0 win to ease themselves back into the title race.

Chris Perkins scored from close-range within the first five minutes and, soon afterwards, Mark Cooper showed neat skill to control Matt Norton’s long ball, before adding the second.

Leominster shuffled their formation at the break and looked more dangerous in the second half.

Daniel Taylor, the Harold keeper, handled well behind a solid defence to protect the lead. Norton started and finished the move which created the third goal, to seal the win.

Honours ended even in the other game, with Hinton and Kington Town drawing 3-3 at Broomy Hill.

Paul Monteath put the home side in front and Johnny Anning converted a penalty to send the sides in all-square at the break.

Kington are showing better form of late and goals from Joe Penrose and Nick Evans saw them 3-1 up with 10 minutes to play.

Hinton staged a late rally and snatched a point with goals from Jody Dawe and Matt Aubrey. It might have been worse for Kington as Hinton also struck the bar during this spell.