Hinton Reserves 1 Tenbury United 3

AARON Morris is urging Tenbury United’s players to step up a gear and knock one of their rivals out of the title race.

Unbeaten leaders United face second-placed Ledbury Town Reserves in a Herefordshire League Division One top-of-the-table clash at Palmer’s Meadow this Saturday.

Dale Withers returned to United’s side, following the birth of his second child, to snap up a brace in a comfortable 3-1 league success at Hinton Reserves last weekend.

Joint-boss Aaron Morris said: “We did not really get out of second gear against Hinton but we passed the ball well. If we can win this weekend, it could knock Ledbury Town Reserves out of the title race. Ledbury are a good side and we drew 3-3 with them earlier in the season.

“We still have to play Brimfield FC twice and Orleton so we have some very big matches coming up. “I think we might need another three wins to claim the league title.”

In addition to Withers’ double against Hinton, Ian Patterson netted for United but George Pearson had a penalty kick saved.

Morris, who is out of action with a leg injury, said: “We had five players out, including Curt Pardoe, me and Ryan Morris, who normally start and the others lads who came in did a brilliant job.

“Robbie Farrar played in central midfield and he was the man of the match. Ian Patterson was guilty of a few misses but he played very well. Dec Flynn was the wide-man and Toby Gittens had an excellent game. I thought we did OK in patterns and we were fairly comfortable. It all bodes well for next season when we will, hopefully, be playing in the Premier Division.”

United led 3-0 with 25 minutes remaining when Hinton replied with a controversial goal.

Morris added: “The ball hit a post and rolled across the line but it didn’t appear to cross the line and the referee awarded a goal, which was disappointing."