WELLAND remain on course for the Division One title in the Herefordshire FA County League but were given a real scare by strugglers Holme Lacy Reserves on Saturday in a seven-goal thriller. 

Welland raced into a deserved 2-0 lead as a George Denman brace gave the league leaders a healthy advantage after just nine minutes of action. But they were pegged back mid-way through the first-half as Holme Lacy stayed in the hunt at 2-1.

The visitors, sitting second bottom in the division, started the second half all guns blazing equalised soon after the restart to really startle the hosts and give those sides chasing Welland in the title race some hope.

The score stayed at 2-2 until late in the half when another quickfire double from Welland took the game away from their opponents. Max Norman provided the assist for Sam Naulls 15 minutes from time before Charlie Maunder bagged his first senior team goal five minutes later.

But just as the game looked to be fizzling out, Holme Lacy refused to take defeat lightly and scored a third goal in stoppage time to make for a tense final few minutes.

But Welland were able to hold on and ensure that their lead at the top of the table remains at eight points.

They only have six games left in the 2023/24 campaign and look almost certain to lift the trophy and gain promotion back to the Premier Division in the Herefordshire FA County League.

Welland are back in action on Saturday when they host mid-table Shobdon at 2.30 pm.