Faltering Ludlow Town are banking on a batch of new signings as they head into tomorrow’s crucial clash at basement strugglers Bustleholme looking to halt their slide in the West Midland League premier division.
A 2-1 home reverse to Wolves Casuals saw Ludlow slip further down the table to seventh bottom – and they will be anxious to avoid another barren weekend against a side rooted to the foot of the table with just four points from 12 outings.
Three new signings made encouraging debuts last week despite the defeat, while a couple more may be included for tomorrow’s action if signed in time.
“I’m working hard behind the scenes to make us more competitive,” said manager Chris Richards.
“The result was disappointing last week as Wolves Casuals were below us in the table, but I was encouraged by the three new lads who came in.
“Hopefully they will give us some stability in quality as well as numbers.
“It will take a bit of time to gel fully, but they fitted in well for their first game.
“And we could have a couple more new signings at Bustleholme tomorrow as it is a game we have to get something from.”
The three newcomers to the SBS Stadium are all students at Worcester University, including skipper Lewis Fitzgerald, who is a 6ft 4ins centre half and central midfielder.
Two fellow students have also joined the club, Paul Whatmough, a forward who was on Stafford Rangers’ books as a youngster, and Adam Fisher, a right sided full back and midfielder. They have joined up with colleague Dale Williams.
Sub Mark Hughes, stepping up from the club’s under-17s, also made his debut for Town last week.
Dean Richards is still suspended while Lee Ruscoe is out with a groin injury for tomorrow’s action.
Against Wolves Casuals, Town found themselves a goal down after just five minutes when a quickly taken free kick from the halfway line caught the home side napping.
Karamjit Matharu collected the through ball and outpaced the defence to fire a low shot towards keeper Anthony Prince who blocked the strike but was unfortunate to see the rebound strike Matharu and roll into an empty net.
Town soon levelled when Whatmough, on his debut, produced a solo run from halfway to cross the ball to Dale Williams who fired home from close range despite the visitors’ appeals for offside.
Ross Miller, however, fired home Casuals’ second on the half hour after Adam Edmunds supplied a perfect cross into a packed area as the home defence hesitated.
Williams and Whatmough both went close as the hosts battled to force a draw, enjoying the lion’s share of the second half.
But it wasn’t to be as the hosts lacked the cutting edge in front of goal, slipping to their fifth home defeat of the season against a side two places below.
Fitzgerald struck a shot from 20 yards but was just off the target.
• Ludlow have been drawn away to Broseley Juniors in the Shropshire Challenge Cup on Saturday, November 1.
