LUDLOW Colts boss Mark Tonkinson said the month-long lockdown did his side no favours as they returned to action with a heavy home defeat to Hereford Pegasus Reserves.

Colts had won their three Herefordshire League Premier Division games prior to the enforced break but were second best as they lost 3-0 to Pegasus.

Kieran Hollis headed their best chance wide from close range but boss Tonkinson admitted it was a day to forget.

“We were very rusty to say the least,” he said. “We had been playing quite well but having that lay-off, we lost our momentum a bit.

“But we said after the game we just have to draw a line under it. It was just one of those games where everybody was just average.

“It’s a shame we don’t have a game this Saturday to put it right but we have a local derby against Shobdon the week after and the lads should be well up for that.”

Colts will be without attacking midfielder Sam Thomas for at least another month with an ankle ligament injury and Tonkinson admitted: “He’s a big loss, everything goes through him for us.”

There was a happier return to action for Ludlow Colts Reserves in Division One who edged a seven-goal thriller 4-3 against Hereford Pegasus Colts.

Daniel Crowther bagged a hat-trick for Ludlow, while Josh Williams also netted as they climbed a place to sixth.

Elsewhere, Tenbury Town and Tenbury United each progressed to the quarter-finals of the Worcestershire Minor Cup, in contrasting styles.

Town thrashed Upton Crusaders 7-0 as Ollie Owens bagged a brace while Jack Kitchen, Dan Coupland, Dec Bright, Callum Gittens and Dan Ridley also scored.

United, meanwhile, twice had to come from behind to win 3-2 at Hanley Swan thanks to a fine solo goal from Mike Foster and two penalties from player-manager Aaron Morris.

Morris, who saw another spot-kick saved, said: “They were a good side, tall and physical, but the four weeks off didn’t do them any favours.

“The first 20-25 minutes, I thought we were in trouble, as they had a lot of the ball but they got tired and it ended up being a good result and a good performance.”