IT WAS an afternoon to forget for Ledbury Town as they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to bottom side St Martins in Division One of the West Midlands Regional League at New Street on Saturday.
The home side could only muster a consolation goal from Craig Kitchener as they were left to rue a host of missed chances while Karl Bailey and Jamie Williams netted to secure the Shropshire side a first win of the season.
With St Martins struggling at the foot of the table, Ledbury were expected to coast to victory, but the opening ten minutes seemed to set the tone for the encounter as the hosts squandered several opportunities to take the lead.
Notably, Liam Bailey managed to get back to clear off his line after Jamie Welch rounded the keeper.
Dan Herbert, Tom Boyle and Pat Locke also came close to scoring, while St Martins’ keeper Paul Foster stood up to the test as the first half ended goalless.
The second period continued in a similar manner as Town piled forward in search of the opening goal before the game suddenly sparked into life with 25 minutes remaining.
But it was the visitors who broke the deadlock as Bailey slammed the ball home. Despite the blow, Ledbury hit straight back with a goal from Kitchener, but the hosts still appeared rattled.
Paul Mann’s men were now hanging on to the point as a confident St Martins side started to lay siege on Town’s goal.
And the visiting supporters were soon celebrating when Williams lobbed Luke Ledbury to move in front with ten minutes to go.
The hosts throw everything at St Martins, but they could not find the equaliser as Foster did well to stop Tom Watkins in the dying seconds.
Ledbury will be looking to bounce back when they travel to third placed Haughmond on Saturday (3pm).