Ross Juniors Sunday were held by league leaders Bromyard at home on a pitch that was not conducive to good football. The result means that both teams now need a major drop in form from Ledbury's Allstars to prevent the Herefordshire Sunday Premier League title returning to Ledbury for the fourth consecutive season.

Ross started brightly and were on the front foot from the start. The first opening came in the 8th minute when a Dewi Stuart shot flashed wide. The centre midfield pairing of Liam Davies and Chris Davies were taking control in the middle and were dictating the play.

Ross deservedly took the lead in the 14th minute with a stupendous goal. Andy Francis volleyed a dipping shot over the keeper from 24 yards.

The centre back partnership of Matt Davies and Sam Loftus nullified the attacks from Bromyard. The whole team were battling for every ball, playing with real composure and in total control.

The home side were stunned when the referee awarded the visitors a penalty in the 42nd minute. The penalty, which is available to watch as a video on the Ross Gazette Facebook page, was scored to make it 1-1.

This rattled the home side and Sam Loftus and Alex Goode came to their rescue right on half time to deny the visitors taking the lead.

Ross were dealt a blow early in the second half when Chris Davies went off injured. This seemed to spur on the visitors as they upped the tempo and started to dominate the ball, but Ross looked sharp on the break. From one of these Eli Wooding almost scored but his shot went inches wide in the 68th minute.

Bromyard went close in the 84th minute and somehow the defence managed to clear the ball off the line. When it did seem like Bromyard had scored the winner, the linesman flagged for offside. As the pressure mounted on the home side Alex Goode made a great save in the 85th minute and from the resulting corner Andy Francis headed the ball away from the back post.

There were half chances for both sides in the closing minutes as they both went for the winner, as the game was getting stretched and the league title slipping away from both teams.

At the final whistle to a pulsating game from two evenly matched sides, a draw was a fair result but was tinged with disapointment for both.

The Eagle Inn man of the match was awarded to Sam Loftus for a dominant and inspiring game at the heart of the defence.

Ross' chances for silverware this season now lie in the cups. On Sunday they will play at home to Atletico Ledbury in the semi final of the HFA Sunday Cup in an 11am kick off, and the date for their Wye Guild Cup final has been set as April 28th, in a 6pm kick off. Ledbury's all-conquering Allstars await them in the final of both competitions.

For more stories in full please see this week's Ross Gazette.