A DAZZLING defensive display helped Tenbury United pull off one of the weekend’s surprise results in the Premier Division of the Herefordshire League as they won 3-1 at leaders Wellington Rangers.

And joint manager Nick Stocker admitted the win was made even more memorable by the fact that they had players missing and that they arrived to find that they had the wrong kick-off time.

“I was really impressed with the way the boys played because everything that could have gone wrong, went wrong,” Stocker said.

“We already had a couple of players out but then lost two more through sickness.

"We also had two lads who needed to leave at half-time because they had to catch a train.

“On top of that I thought it was a 2pm kick-off – but it was 2.30pm.

"So we turned up nearly two hours before the game."

Goals from Mark Boucker, Ryan Morris and a penalty from Aaron Morris wrapped up the win but it was the defensive performance that set the seal for the victory.

Stocker added: “We changed the formation and went with four at the back with Grant Podmore – who has been doing well in midfield – slotting in alongside Aaron at centre back.

“Wellington had most of the play in the second half but just couldn’t break us down.”

Boucker opened the scoring following good work from Tom Farr on the left flank only for the home side to level from the penalty spot before the break through Tom Bendall following a foul by United keeper Luke Gill.

With further changes enforced at half-time, Stocker and new signing Toby Gittens joined the fray and the visitors used their speed up front to snatch two goals on the break.

The first came after Ryan Morris was upended inside the area allowing joint boss Aaron Morris to score from the spot.

Nippy Ryan Morris then completed the scoring with another breakaway effort.

“We have a lot of quick lads in the side and that’s when we are at our most dangerous,” Stocker added.

“We scored three against Ewyas Harold.

“It’s against some of the lesser clubs that we have struggled – when teams sit back we’ve sometimes found it difficult to break them down.”

United face another of the title contenders this Saturday when they head to Kington Town Reserves.

Like Tenbury, Kington have games in hand on the Premier Division’s leading sides but have only played once since the start of the year, losing 4-1 at Hinton at the start of January.

Elsewhere, Orleton Colts return to action this weekend with a trip to Hinton but Tenbury Town are again without a game.