LEDBURY Town suffered a mid-week defeat to Cheltenham Civil Service FC on Tuesday in their latest pre-season fixture.

Having lost 4-1 to Step 6 side Shortwood United, Town backed it up with a 2-1 win over Tewkesbury Town last Friday. Ben Febery and Nathan Ince scored the goals for Ian Merrick's men. 

But in their latest contest, they were edged out by Cheltenham Civil Service 1-0 on Tuesday, again at home.

Cheltenham's Jamie Lewis scored the only goal of the game to inflict a third consecutive defeat on Ian Merrick's side. 

Ledbury will be hoping to get back to winning ways on Thursday when they welcome Lydney Town Reserves to New Street for a 19.30pm kick-off. 

Ledbury then have games with Gala Winton (August 4) and Tuffley Rovers Development (August 8) before they head into the new Herefordshire Football League Premier Division campaign. 

Merrick will be hoping to gain some momentum in those matches as Ledbury look to mount another title challenge this season, following last year's heartbreaking end to the 22/23 campaign. 

Town looked set for promotion for the majority of the season but fell in the penultimate game, when a draw with Welland handed the opportunity to Sporting Club Inkberrow to snatch the title on the final day, which they did.