TENBURY United claimed some early-season bragging rights with a tight 1-0 victory at Orleton Colts in Tuesday night’s Hereford Times Herefordshire Football League Premier Division derby.

They bounced back from a 1-0 opening day defeat at Leominster Town to win with a late goal from Dale Withers and co-boss Nick Stocker said: “It was much-improved performance and a brilliant result. We knew it was going to be a tough game and that's what it turned out to be.

“We didn’t have the best of build-ups as we lost both Mike Foster and Ian Patterson to work commitments and Ryan Morris is still on his honeymoon.”

With Foster and Patterson missing, United played midfielders Withers and John Bradley up front. Stocker came into midfield to partner Lee Millichip and Robbie Farrar was back in goal.

Neither keeper made a telling save in the opening 45 minutes but the second half saw Orleton start well after introducing AFC Ludlow’s pacy Danny Crowther at half-time.

Tenbury then got on top and just as it looked like the game would remain goalless, John Bradley sent over a cross and the outstanding Withers powered home a header.

Stocker added: “Dale was outstanding up front.

"When I knew Mike Foster was not coming it was an easy decision to put Dale up there.

"He’s great in the air, good in front of goal and quick on his feet. He and John Bradley played really well together.”

An early first-half goal from Leominster’s Aaron Bowden had sunk Tenbury on Saturday.

United were missing both Ryan Morris and the injured Chris Patton and co-boss Stocker admitted it was a “disappointing start.”

Mike Foster wasted a one-on-one towards half-time as Tenbury finally got into the game after a poor start, and they performed much better in the second half, controlling the possession. But for all that they didn’t trouble the Leominster goalkeeper until the last ten minutes, when Ashley Giles had a shot tipped over and Withers misjudged a simple tap-in.

Stocker admitted: “Leominster have strengthened a lot from last year but still we felt we should have got something from the game. We were awful for the first 20 minutes and they were on top from the off.

“Even though it was a disappointing performance there were some good individual displays. The whole back line were excellent and Macauley Stone came on and gave another very assured display in midfield.”