ORLETON Colts Reserves manager Chris Albert was a relieved man as his side held on to claim a vital 5-4 win against Belmont Wanderers in Hereford Times Herefordshire Football League Division Three.

Colts were leading 4-1 and 5-2 in the game before Belmont hit back.

However, they could not get the decisive fifth goal and Orleton held on for the three points.

“We raced to a big lead at half-time and I made the changes too early," admitted Albert.

“It was an edgy end to the game, but I always thought we had the quality to hang on and secure the win.”

Two goals from Ben Apperley and one apiece from Adam Rooke and Liam Watton saw Orleton go into the half-time break 4-1 to the good. Belmont pulled a goal back after the break before Watton scored again.

The Hereford side then scored a cracking goal to reduce the deficit to 5-3 before they converted a penalty after Paul Brogan upended a player in the box.

Church Stretton's Matt Jones proved he can equal what David Beckham can do by scoring from the halfway line to extend his side’s winning run to three matches in the Sportsjam Mercian League Premier Division. The 3-1 victory at Madeley Sports left Stretton manager Paul Smith delighted with the three points that helped to pull his side further clear of the bottom two. John Barber grabbed a brace for Smith's men, but it was Jones who stole the limelight with his exquisite lob.

"He just saw the keeper on the penalty spot, the ball just flew in," said Smith.

“I’d been texting the lads all week saying how important the game was and I was delighted that our new signings managed to get on the scoresheet,” said Jones.

Church Stretton have another tough test this weekend when they face second place Whitchurch Alport, however Smith remains undaunted with the task facing them.

“The players are confident, we’re playing well at the moment and we’re scoring goals,” he said. “If we keep playing to our strengths I don’t see why we can’t go and get a win.”

In Division One, Clee Hill United were hit on the break twice in quick succession during their 3-1 defeat at Rock Rovers.

The visitors quickly grabbed a goal back through Adam Warren but, as they searched for a late leveller, conceded a third in the dying moments of the game.

In Division One, Andrew Green smashed in a 30-yard effort that sealed three points for Bishops Castle against Wrockwardine Wood. Castle had to come from behind to win the game, leaving them sixth in the table.

"We were rubbish for the first 10 to 15 minutes and they scored," said Bishops Castle player-manager Alex Jones.

"We then started playing well down the right-hand-side and Jake Cintra held the ball well up-front.

"Niall Thomas equalised from a header before Andrew Green won it – it was a brilliant goal."

Elsewhere, Brown Clee recorded a 2-1 win over Oakengates Rangers.