Penybont sink the champions in final home game

Penybont United concluded their home fixtures in the Hummel Herefordshire Women's League with a 2-1 victory over recently-crowned champions Ross Juniors at The Racecourse.

The Polecats started positively with Erin Havey firing narrowly wide of the target in the fourth minute after being played through on goal.

Penybont United goalkeeper Katie Christopher was called into action four minutes later to save a 25-yard strike before making another important save in the 13th minute when she denied a Ross Juniors forward.

Amie-Lee Hope drove towards the penalty area four minutes later, but her effort on goal was saved by the visiting keeper.

Havey was denied by a brave close-range save in the 19th minute and Cathy Harris directed the rebound wide of the target.

However, the hosts only had to wait less than 60 seconds to make the breakthrough when Gemma Bradford's 25-yard free-kick was parried by Ross Juniors keeper on a wet pitch and Orla Probert forced the loose ball over the line in the ensuing melee.

Havey was denied by a smart save in the 24th minute after driving into the penalty area before Harris's shot was comfortably saved.

The visitors went close with an effort from the edge of the penalty area in the 37th minute, as heavy rain descended on the Racecourse.

The Penybont United management team of Phill Davies and Kay Powell would have been pleased by the efforts of their players during the opening 45 minutes, but fully aware there was plenty of hard work ahead if they were to complete their home fixtures on a winning note.

Christopher was forced to make a close-range save four minutes after the interval to preserve the Polecats' narrow advantage before Harris broke into the Ross penalty area, but was denied by the visiting goalkeeper.

Harris went even closer in the 58th minute when she struck the crossbar and then had another effort kept out by the Ross Juniors goalkeeper.

Both teams endeavoured to play attacking football despite the pitch being impacted by heavy rain.

Harris broke into the penalty area once again in the 66th minute, but saw her shot pushed away, before Christopher was called into action three minutes later to make a crucial save when a Ross Juniors player raced through on goal.

Harris drove into the penalty area in the 70th minute, but pulled her shot wide of the target and then repeated the feat two minutes later.

The Polecats had to wait until the 79th minute to double their advantage when Harris latched on to a long ball played out of the Penybont half and clinically found the back of the net to score the goal that her concerted efforts deserved.

Christopher had to make an important close-range save in the 87th minute before keeping out an effort from out near the left-hand touchline.

Ross halved the deficit in stoppage-time when Jess Moroney lifted the ball over the head of Christopher from 25 yards, but they were unable to avoid falling to only their second league defeat of the season.

Despite losing their grip on the title this season, Penybont United can complete their league campaign in third position if they defeat Westfields in their final fixture when they travel to Hereford on Sunday.