Three late goals made a mockery of the performance Ludlow Town’s “irregulars” put in at Bewdley on Wednesday evening.
For much of the match manager Chris Richards’ decision to give his fringe players an end-of-season run seemed fully justified.
After going two goals down – the second strongly disputed – they had fought their way back into the game impressively.
When Gareth Hamer pulled one back midway through the second half and with the side beginning to knit together nicely, Town looked capable of gaining a point.
Bewdley had to concentrate on defence as the Ludlow lads built up pressure for an equaliser. But it was a 75th minute mix-up that led to Ludlow heading for a 5-1 scoreline.
Central defender Shaun Parker and keeper Ricky Marston misread each other’s intentions and that handed Bewdley a gift goal to make the points safe.
With Ludlow now looking disjointed again, Bewdley added insult to injury by getting another couple late on to finish with a flattering five goals.
“It was a crying shame for the lads certainly did not deserve that,” said manager Richards, who had made five changes from the side who had drawn 1-1 with AFC Wulfrunians on Saturday.
“As there was little on the Bewdley game, we decided to give a run-out to some of the squad players who have remained loyal to the club without playing a lot of first team football.
“We also brought in some youngsters from the under-18 squad and, overall, no-one really let themselves down. After the sort of start you would expect from a much changed side finding their way, the lads really got it together. They played some good football in the second half and had Bewdley worried.
“With luck, they might have got a draw. We couldn’t complain too much about 2-1 or even, at a stretch, three – but there was never four goals difference between the teams.”
In contrast, Town could consider themselves a tad fortunate to pick up a point on Saturday.
Town took the lead when Lee Millichip and Andy Pugh made a nuisance of themselves in the six-yard box, forcing a defender to botch his clearance and give Jack Keating the chance to score.
Wulfrunians equalised after the break from the penalty spot after Lee Ruscoe pushed an opponent.
Apart from Rob Vass, who has a groin strain, Town expect to have a full strength squad for tomorrow’s home game against Lye Town (3pm).
