SHORTWOOD United eventually proved too strong for a young Ledbury Town outfit as the Step 6 visitors scored four unanswered second-half goals to win 4-1 in what was both side's first game of pre-season. 

Against the run of play, Lewis Williams had given lower-level Ledbury the lead which they managed to hold onto until half-time. 

But after the break, Shortwood turned on the style and a young Ledbury side missing a number of first-team players were eventually overwhelmed by their Step 6 opponents.

Alex Gaynor equalised just two minutes after the restart before Joe Tryner headed Wood into the lead on the hour mark. Jacob Wellington made it 3-1 from the penalty spot and Essa Sabally volleyed home a fourth with five minutes to play. 

Ledbury had been under the pump for the majority of the opening 20 minutes and Wood hit the woodwork three times in total in the first-half.

Brad Loveridge and Martin Smith crashed efforts off the bar four minutes apart before Williams put Ledbury into a surprise lead.

Dom Kent hit the post in the 37th minute and with some good saves from Ledbury keeper James Loader, Ledbury managed to take their lead into the break. 

Only four first-team regulars were available for Ledbury on the day and the experience and quality eventually told after the interval. 

Gaynor applied the finishing touches from six yards out to pull Wood level before captain Tryner headed home from Keegan Bowes' corner.

Ledbury were battling hard and Loaders continued to keep the hosts in the game but when Dan Carnegie was brought down in the box in the 76th minute, Wellington's penalty ultimately sealed the win.

There was time for the away side to add a fourth through Saballey's volley.

But playing a team from the league above will have provided a useful experience for the youngsters at Ledbury ahead of the new season. 

They continue their pre-season preparations this weekend when they host Tewkesbury Town on Friday evening (7.30PM).