Ledbury entertained Sedgeley White Lions in this second leg League Cup semi-final, being 3-2 down after the first leg.
LEDBURY TOWN 3, SEDGELEY WHITE LIONS 0
The pitch was very wet and if not for determined work throughout the morning there would have been no game at all. Sedgeley were quicker off the mark in the opening minutes and Harris squandered two chances in the first ten minutes, but steadily Ledbury began to gain more possession and on the quarter hour Robbie Colwell was unfortunate to see his chip over the keeper hold up on the sticky pitch to be cleared. Sedgeley then broke with Young getting to the by-line and his cross to Harris for a tap in was brilliantly blocked by Steve Powell.
On 20 minutes the tie was level Duncan Preedy collected a through ball 30 yards out, taking on the defence, Preedy looked to have lost out but retrieved the situation before powering into the box where he beat Cox in goal with a well struck shot.
Within two minutes Ledbury increased their lead and, with a goal worthy to grace any match, 16 year old Nick Stockley, who continues to impress, turned his marker inside out with a great little chip over his head to make room for a left foot shot from 20 yards which sizzled into the far corner giving Cox no chance for 2-0.
Ledbury, with confidence high, pressurised Sedgeley solidly and Robbie Colwell had a simple header just whipped off his head by Blewitt from another Preedy cross. Cox in the Sedgeley goal then made a breathtaking save from Preedy, a 25 yard effort curling in to the top corner he somehow made ground in the muddy goal to stretch and force the ball onto the upright.
Chris Powell then supporting the attack saw his 35 yard dipping shot just clear the bar as Ledbury sought out a killer third goal, but the score remained 2-0 until half time.
Ledbury knew Sedgeley would throw everything at them in the second half and they didn't disappoint.
Young had Sedgeley's first clear-cut chance but Brown and Forshaw closing down quickly made sure his shot was saved.
Ledbury were being forced onto the back foot and the conditions were proving to be sapping on the Ledbury hardworking midfield of Herbert, Bullock, Welch and Stockley.
Sedgeley started to force the issue then Foster let Ledbury off the hook when crashing the ball against the bar when it looked easier to score. But slowly Ledbury rode the storm and began to get back into it, Powell and Forshaw were outstanding at the back for Ledbury and had thwarted Sedgeley's attackers on numerous occasions.
The game on a knife edge with Ledbury now confident enough to push forward after soaking up all the pressure and with 15 minutes left, Duncan Preedy showed great skill on the edge of the box and forced Cox to save smartly low down.
With less than five minutes remaining a Preedy ball to Robbie Colwell saw the Ledbury striker power into the 18 yard box where Blewitt was forced to tug him from behind to deny Colwell a clear shot on goal.
The referee awarded a penalty and it was Colwell who stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to give Ledbury a 3-0 lead.
The last couple of minutes saw Ledbury prove the stronger and Colwell may have added to the scoreline but Blewitt made amends for his earlier mistake to deny him.
Ledbury now look forward to their second final of the season against league leaders Wellington.
The last League game of the season is tomorrow (Saturday) when Ledbury welcome local rivals Leominster to New Street, kick off 3pm.
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