ORLETON Colts player-boss Kristian Morgan described it as “a point gained rather than two dropped” after an opening-day draw with Premier Division visitors Wellington Reserves in the Hereford Times Herefordshire Football League Premier Division.

A sublime 25-yard free-kick from Will Caswell gave the Greens a deserved first-half lead, and they could easily have doubled that advantage with Nathan ‘Nugget’ Hardisty and Simon Mills both going close.

But Wellington rallied after the break and after substitute Nick Britton had levelled on the hour, Orleton found themselves clinging on at the death, with keeper Kelvin Thomas and Man of the Match Tom George both in fine form to keep the visitors out.

Morgan admitted: “Wellington are usually one of the better sides in the division and I think a draw was possibly a fair result in the end.”

In the Sportsjam Mercian League, Church Stretton opened with a 2-1 home defeat to Premier Division visitors Allscott.

Boss Paul Smith admitted his side were “deflated” by the result, especially after Sean Gough headed over from three yards in the last 30 seconds of the game.

But Smith said:?“We feel Allscott are again likely to be up there near the top and there were plenty of positives to take from the game.”

Allscott led 1-0 at the break and quickly added a second after the restart after a mistake in midfield from Stretton, who are playing with a 4-5-1 formation this season.

A back-post header from Adam Jones, who converted a Richard Groom cross, then reduced the deficit to set up a grandstand finish, but Gough’s miss ruined the script.

Meanwhile Financial Watson Mid-Wales League (South) outfit Newcastle were beaten 5-0 by Newtown Rangers in a pre-season friendly.

The scoreline flattered the winners, with Newcastle creating but failing to take a succession of chances.

Newcastle, with John Goodridge still at the helm, have strengthened their ranks with the return to the club of Richard and Matt Jones, who were both members of the championship-winning side of 2012.