It was not the season to be jolly as Ross Juniors U10s were left stunned after conceding late goals in their match away to Leominster Colts.

Ross couldn’t have started the match any better when Jake Hedges got on the end of Jacob Talbots’s excellent far post corner to put them one up, but Leominster soon showed their quality as they linked up well before hitting a quick equaliser.

Ross could have gone ahead again when some neat skill from Luca Morgan set up a chance for Eddie Price in front of goal but he didn’t make a good enough connection with the ball to beat the Leominster keeper.

The visitors found themselves under the cosh for the remainder of the half and had Harvey Briscoe to thank for making a good save but unfortunately he couldn’t do anything about Leominster’s second goal, although there was a suspicion of handball in the build up.

Ross had an early chance in the second half when Eddie went on a good run but they then fell further behind when Josh Evans save fell nicely for a Leominster player and his shot went in off the post.

With the wind at their backs, Leominster were firing a number of shots at Josh, but he dealt comfortably with them all, except one that went through a sea of legs and found the inside of the far post.

Things weren’t looking good but Ross then scored an excellent goal to make it 4 – 2 when Bill Ashelford won the ball in midfield and found Harvey Gwillim with a precise pass, who in turn hit a first time pass that Eddie ran on to, beat the last defender and coolly slotted the ball past the keeper.

Ross almost reduced the deficit to one when Eddie set up Harvey B but the keeper saved his shot before Ross had their own ‘nightmare before Christmas’ conceding four goals in the final ten minutes.

Leominster were worthy winners but the scoreline was hard on the Ross boys and they’ll look to bounce back on Saturday when they entertain Bartestree.

The Masons Fencing & Firewood Man of the Match goes to Jacob Talbot for his all-round performance.