Bromyard Colts won the Herefordshire Sunday League title at Leominster Bridge Street on April 15th, beating The Lion in a closely-fought title-decider. Two late goals sealed the title, with Dan Hill scoring a controversial opening goal before Steve Corbett doubled his side’s lead two minutes from time.

In true top of the table style, the game started in a battling affair with both sides having a number of early half chances.

A free kick for The Lion 25-yards out was taken short to Lewis Phillips, but his low driven effort from just outside the box was blocked and hacked cleared by Nick Weaver

In the 7th minute, Gareth Weaver’s ball into the box from the right wing was too far ahead of the advancing James Hancocks and was an easy claim for Lion’s keeper Alex Mitchell-Charmain.

Back at the other end of the pitch, the home side’s first corner of the game was well-defended, with Louie Simon winning possession and remaining calm to play the ball out to Hancocks.

With Bromyard breaking forward, Hancocks was able to tee up Will Tolley, but his rising effort cleared the crossbar when well-placed.

Tolley continued to cause problems for The Lion’s defence, and after making progress down the left in the 23rd minute, cut the ball back into the box, but this was intercepted and quickly cleared.

Moments later, Dan Hill saw an effort cleared off the line by left-back Craig Morris, with the keeper well off his line.

At the other end of the pitch, The Lion should’ve done better when Dan Ramshaw was left with just the keeper to beat, but after opting to play the ball back to David Davies, his shot was straight at Bromyard’s James Price who wasted no time in clearing the ball.

In a fairly evenly matched first half, neither keeper had too many clear cut chances to deal with, but when called upon did well. Colt’s keeper Darren Tickle did well in rising to claim a number of crosses, including Lewis Phillips’ floating left-footed cross ahead of the patient Dan Ramshaw.

HT: The Lions 0 - Bromyard Colts 0

The Lion weren’t able to break the deadlock with a free kick six minutes after the restart, as Connor Bufton’s dipping delivery was straight into the arms of the well-positioned Tickle.

Another free kick decision went The Lion’s way in the 57th minute as Nick Weaver brought down David Davies as he tried to win back possession. But once again The Lion couldn’t capitalise as Connor Bufton’s shot was inches over the crossbar.

The half time team talk had obviously proved beneficial for the hosts as they stepped up a gear after the break. Chances for Phillips, Ramshaw and Bufton unable to get the better of the keeper.

Colts’ first real chance of the half came in the 71st minute, but Louie Simon’s flicked header from point-blank range proved an easy save for Mitchell-Charmain.

A corner for the visitors followed, and somehow the keeper kept the score level. James Hancock’s inswinging delivery was met by Josh Harper, but his chance was palmed away by the diving Mitchell-Charmain and eventually cleared.

Controversy followed though in the midst of which Bromyard scored their first of the game. With some The Lion thinking the ball had gone out of play on the right, Bromyard quickly brokeaway with Dan Hill finding the back of the net.

Bromyard then sealed the win and the league title with two minutes to go as Steve Corbett made it two-nil. His low diagonal shot from outside the area beat the keeper and nestled in the bottom left hand corner of the net. The League title was added to the Sunday Cup which Bromyard Colts won a week previously against The Roebuck Inn.

FT: The Lions 0 - Bromyard Colts 2

The Lion: Mitchell-Charmain, Brogan, John Acaster, Mitchell, Bowen, C. Bufton, Phillips, Davies, Holloway, Ramshaw-Evans.

Subs: Milner, Botwood, Morris, D. Bufton, Jordan Acaster.

Bromyard Colts: Tickle, Corbett, G. Weaver, Price, N. Weaver, Simon, Harper, Berry, Hill, Hancocks, Tolley.

Subs: W. Gwynne, Ree, M. Gwynne, R. Gwynne.

League Table