A CRUEL late equaliser thwarted Orleton Colts Reserves from recording back-to-back home wins in Division One of the Hereford Times Herefordshire League.

Chris Albert’s men had battled to overturn a 2-0 half-time deficit to lead 3-2 with a minute or so to go, but they were unable to stop Wellington Colts salvaging a point right at the death.

Albert said:?“I thought we were dead and buried at half-time, and then I thought we had the match won with a couple of minutes left. But it was a very good game and everyone watching thought it was brilliant entertainment.”

Andy Jones started the Orleton comeback before Corey Whitticase unleashed a screamer into the top corner to level matters.

Then Whitticase was fouled in the box and got up to slot home the penalty. But Wellington had the last word in a gripping finale.

The games involved Tenbury Town and Woofferton both fell victim to waterlogged pitches, as did Newcastle’s scheduled trip to St Harmon in Mid Wales League South, but Bishop’s Castle Town and Brown Clee did beat the weather in the Sportsjam Mercian League, with contrasting results.

Castle finished 7-1 winners over basement boys Oakengates Rangers while Brown Clee’s struggles at the wrong end of the table continued with a 5-1 home defeat by Gobowen Celtic.

*ORLETON Colts Reserves will be at home to Ewyas Harold Reserves in the quarter-finals of the HJ?Handley Cup. Division One leaders Woofferton have an away tie at Wellington Colts. Both matches are scheduled to be played on Saturday, December 5.