A brisk wind meant that temperatures were barely above freezing for Monday's Ross Cup final between the reserve teams of Ledbury Town and Fownhope. Unfortunately the players were unable to produce any football that raised the temperature for the small crowd huddled along the touchline at Ross Sports Centre.

Ledbury took the lead through a Gavin Walton penalty in the opening fifteen minutes. Fownhope, who play in the division below Ledbury, struggled to get near to them in the first half and so the Herefordshire Division 1 side enjoyed large spells of possession. However, much of that possession was unproductive. The pitch, which has held up reasonably well considering how often it's been under water this season, was not conducive to any slick passing and so Ledbury persisted with a direct style which belied their tactic of only playing one striker. Lone striker Curtis Williams chased around admirably but to little effect.When Ledbury's Tim Rutherford and Asten Griffiths did pick a pass for Lewis Williams and Gavin Walton to get wide and deliver, they often lacked support in the middle or were not accurate enough in their crossing.

Fownhope's chances were limited throughout and created only one in the first half. A ball from the left found its target in the middle but the Fownhope striker could not beat the Ledbury goal keeper from six yards with a header.

In the second half, Fownhope started the brighter and enjoyed their first real bout of pressure at the Ledbury end. However, from Ledbury's first attack Fownhope conceded a second penalty, this time for handball, which looked a harsh decision. The Fownhope keeper did well to save the penalty and keep the score at 1-0. That seemed like an ideal motivator for Fownhope to improve and get into the game. However, the game reverted to the pattern of the first half – long bouts of Ledbury possession that proved, ultimately, unfruitful. Lewis Williams and Curtis Williams latched on to long balls and ran through on goal, for the best chances in the second half, but hit their efforts off target or forced more saves from the Fownhope keeper.

At full time Ledbury were deserved 1-0 winners of the Ross Cup, in a game that will not live long in the memory.

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