LEDBURY Town showed a ruthless edge on Saturday as they put nine past Holme Lacy Reserves in a thumping 9-1 victory in the Herefordshire FA County League Premier Division.

Needing to maintain their winning run to stand any chance of winning the league title, Ledbury showed no mercy as they boosted their hopes and their goal difference at the same time.

Ryan Dobbins, Lewis Williams and Dean Lee all scored two each, whilst goals from Ben Sluman, Joel Skyers and Craig Howells completed the rout to keep Town level on points with Wellington at the top of the league table. Despite their big win, they remain 20 goals back on the table-toppers.

Wellington were narrow 2-1 winners at Clee Hill United, which keeps them ahead of Ledbury and they remain in pole position for the title with their two games in hand.

But Ledbury's form is certainly helping. Ian Merrick's men have won four of their five games in 2024 and head into Saturday's potential title decider with Wellington bang in form.

"It’s a big game and it’s a game we have to win," said manager Merrick. "However, there’s no real pressure on us. The title is Wellington's to lose. Even if we do win, the title is still in their hands so we will go there with the freedom of knowing it’s a free hit for us.

"We’ve been pretty consistent all season. Just a couple of draws at home earlier in the season to teams in the bottom half have cost us a more favourable position.

"Since the turn of the year, we’ve gone up a couple of gears. But it's been tough for the lads to find much rhythm as the season has been so stop start due to there not being enough teams in the league. We’ve played games then ended up having 2 or 3 weeks off. It’s killed any momentum we’ve had."

After this weekend, Ledbury will have three games left in the 2023/24 campaign but defeat will almost certainly end any hope they might have of winning.

But either way, Merrick has already deemed this season a success. 

"We’ve shown incredible consistency in the almost three years I’ve been in charge to finish second behind Hartpury & Inkberrow in the past two seasons and that is something the boys can be proud of," he added.

"You see how well those teams have done in the league above shows we are very capable team. My ambition when I took over was to get Ledbury promoted. So of course it would be fantastic. Nevertheless I am proud of what this squad has achieved.