Ledbury Town 5 Dudley Town 2

ROBBIE Colwell bagged a hat-trick and Duncan Preedy a brace as Ledbury started their West Midlands League Premier Division campaign with a bang.

Crisp passing and good running off the ball saw Ledbury dominate the opening play with Duncan Preedy delivering an inch-perfect corner for Colwell to head his team into a 10th-minute lead.

Dudley found their feet and hit back to level after 35 minutes when they forced home a rebound after home goalkeeper Jamie Hales made a superb diving save.

Visiting defender Steve Foster was red carded for kicking out at Stuart Hall in the 40th minute, and Duncan Preedy fired home a crisp drive to give Ledbury an interval lead.

Colwell set up Duncan Preedy for his second goal and then finished off good work by Phil Preedy by heading home his second goal.

A string of superb saves by Dave Walwyn kept Ledbury out, but Colwell was not to be denied and he finished off a sweeping move with his hat-trick goal in the 80th minute, Dudley responding with a late consolation goal.