A FIVE-STAR showing from Tenbury United banked a third successive win in the Premier Division of the Hereford Times Herefordshire League last Saturday.

Their 5-1 whipping of Pegasus Reserves at Palmer’s Meadow means they have bounced back from their opening-day defeat at Leominster Town with nine points and nine goals in a hat-trick of victories - and sit third in the early-season table behind Wellington Reserves and Fownhope.

Pegasus Reserves arrived at Palmer’s Meadow fresh from a 7-1 midweek mauling of Westfields Reserves, but they soon fell behind when good work from Ryan Morris down the left allowed Dale Withers to fire Tenbury in front.

Pegasus levelled with a header from a corner but Tenbury restored their lead just before half-time when the tricky Morris embarked on a great solo run and produced a telling finish on the end of it.

Tenbury’s strength in depth was highlighted by all five substitutes coming on, with one of them, ex-Tenbury Town man Chris Patton, making his league debut after injury and playing a part in both of Mike Foster’s goals as the home side stretched their lead to 4-1 in the second period.

United’s fitness certainly told and Withers put the seal on the victory with a fifth goal - his second of the game and fourth of the campaign.

Tenbury co-boss Aaron Morris said: “We have real competition for places this season and it is looking good. I think it was a win that showed how strong our bench was, and all five substitutes (Patton, Ian Patterson, Edward Anton, Simon Newhill and Matt Kurkus) could have easily started the game.

“It was disappointing to lose the opening match at Leominster but we have bounced back well with three wins and played well. We have some tough games coming up against Wellington (the early leaders) on September 12 and Ewyas Harold (the reigning champions) the following week and they are sure to be a good test of our capabilities.”

This Saturday United play the second in a sequence of four consecutive home games when they host Lads Club Reserves at Palmer’s Meadow.

United have also been boosted by a new kit sponsorship deal with local insurance company CJN. Joint manager Nick Stocker said: “We are really happy to get CJN on board. It’s really difficult for a club of our size to be able to compete without the help of the local businesses and the community. We can’t thank the guys at CJN enough. The kit will be used specifically for our home games, meaning we will be back in the yellow and blue of old.”

l IN THE Hereford Times Herefordshire League, Tenbury Town’s debut in Division One ended with a 5-3 defeat at Ewyas Harold Reserves.

Last season’s Division Two champions led 2-0 and 3-2 and also had a clear penalty appeal turned down before the home side levelled and went on to win.

Al Bright, Henri Harvey-Smith and Adam Everall scored the goals for Bob Sumner’s men, who play their first competitive game at their new ground at Brimfield and Little Hereford Sports Club when they host Belmont Wanderers this Saturday.

It is the first of back-to-back fixtures between the two teams, with Belmont hosting Town at Newton Farm the following weekend in the first round of the HFA?Junior Cup.