Orleton Colts 2 Tenbury Town 1

ORLETON Colts came from behind to end their cup final jinx with a hard-fought HFA Junior Cup triumph at Westfields on Tuesday night, writes IAN MORGAN.

Martin Jones scored Orleton’s winning goal with eight minutes remaining after Town goalkeeper Steve Sumner had dropped Shane Jennings cross.

Orleton, who twice hit the woodwork through Steve Swan, fell behind in the 67th minute after Mark Boucker tucked in Chris Patton’s low cross.

But the higher-graded villagers Orleton kept pushing and profited from Sumner’s unfortunate error to secure their first HFA trophy success.

Orleton boss Kristian Morgan said: “We were much better in the first half but we could not put the ball in the net –Swan hit the bar and the inside of a post.

“Tenbury deserved their goal but I was pleased with the way we fought back. We have got to about six finals previously and lost them all – it was nice to win this.

“If we do up to the Premier Division, I might have another season at the helm. We knew that Tenbury are a decent side. It was a battle and I think we deserved it. It’s the first HFA Trophy that we have won.”

Town manager Darren Worthington said: “We changed it around at half-time and went 4-4-2 and I thought we looked a much better unit and started to play some great football.

“We took the lead and with 20 minutes remaining, it looked like it was going to be our night. But we got caught flat footed for the first goal and Orleton’s second was from a mistake, which proved costly.

“I consoled Steve afterewards and told him to keep his head up and all the boys have given him their full support – mistakes happen and it’s one of those things.”

Worthington added: “We have a semi-final against Wellington Colts in the HFL Jock Handley Cup this Saturday and the lads want to get to a final where we would play Tenbury United.”

Earlier, Boucker lofted the ball over from close range and Orleton’s Swan rattled the bar and a post as the match started at a frenetic pace.

Sumner made smart saves from Alex King and Shane Jennings, while Alex Lombardi produced a goal-saving block as Orleton finished off the half strongly.

Sumner also produced made a fine save from Caswell, tipping a shot around a post.

Tenbury Town: Sumner, Lombardi, Fish, Edwards, Morris, Patton, Clifford, Farrar, Botwood, Bright, Boucker; Everall, Pitt, Wood, Worthington.

Orleton Colts: Thomas, Whittacase, Hopcutt, Shilcock, George, Goode, Jennings, Swan, Caswell, Jones, King; Cadwallader, Spear, Rooke, Morgan.

Referee: Mike Jones (Herefordshire FA).