Ross Men's 1st X1 were at home to Leominster for their first match of the new year and they made their determination to win clear in the early stages.

Within five minutes Ross took the lead. Striker Adrian Williams drilled the ball into the goal, giving them the boost they needed. Leominster tried to retaliate but each of their attacks was either stopped by defenders Brian Clare, Dave Skyrme and Sam Warner, by Mitch Greenman in Goal.

Ross were awarded a short corner and soon after they scored once more, Tom Walton slotted the ball past the keeper. It was soon clear that the opposition were becoming more worried about the need to score a goal. This was made worse by Phil Evans who carried out a nifty reverse flick of the ball, over the Leominster goalkeeper and into the goal, just before half time.

Ross now had a good lead over Leominster and went out with a positive attitude, even more goal-hungry than before. The midfield Tom Walton, Andy Wright, Jack Wilkinson and Kristian Franklin worked profusely to set up the attackers, Adrian Williams, Luke Ward, Andy Cross and Phil Evans, for shots on goal, with some close misses. Leominster were trying hard to score but every attempt was either struck wide or saved.

Not long into the second half Ross added another goal to their tally, Tom Walton scored once again from a short corner routine. Further close shots were saved by the Leominster 'keeper and Ross was reduced to 10 men after attacker Phil Evans got injured by the Leominster keeper after another attempt on goal. Another short corner was awarded in Ross' favour and Tom Walton flicked the ball over the keeper to score once again and get his hat-trick. He scored his fourth goal of the game with only minutes left.

In a last minute effort, Leominster linked some passes together making an imposing threat on the Ross goal. Although Greenman made a good effort to keep a clean sheet, the ball managed to slip past him leaving the score at 6 - 1 when the full time whistle blew. This win gave Ross 1st XI a great start to 2009, Tom Walton was voted Man of the Match for his tireless work in midfield and his four goals. The team is grateful to the umpires, Richard Jennison and John Setchfield.