Having been frozen out last weekend, Ludlow Town will look to warm to the challenge tomorrow when they host one of the West Midland League premier division’s form sides, Bewdley.
The SBS Stadium outfit are still waiting for their first action of the new year after last weekend’s home meeting with Darlaston was postponed.
Following a mid-morning pitch inspection, the clash was postponed at 11.30am due a frozen pitch.
It was frustrating start to 2009 for Chris Richards’ side who, lying fourth from bottom, were looking to bounce back from their unfortunate 2-1 reverse at Gornal the week before.
But some consolation was that every other game in the league was also called off as the icy weather took its toll on the fixture list.
With the wintry conditions in mind, tomorrow’s encounter against Bewdley will now be staged at Ludlow after their opponents asked if they could play on the artificial pitch as their own ground could still be frozen.
It promises to be a stern test for Ludlow who will need to be at their best against their Bewdley visitors who lie third in the table, just four points off the pace.
“Bewdley are usually in the top four or five, and it will be a tough game for us,” said manager Richards.
“We haven’t played them this season either home or away, and with their pitch notorious for either flooding or being frozen, they were quite happy to come to play us on our AGP pitch.”
Ludlow’s plans have been hit with Luke Hicks and Adam Fisher both suspended, but it will give a chance for newcomer Alex Bentley, from Market Drayton, to stake a claim at centre half.
Richards is also looking at bringing in a couple of new signings in the next few weeks to bolster his squad.
“We’ve got a few lads who want to join us and hopefully we can sort something out, but I don’t want to name them at the moment just in case it falls through,” he added.
“We feel our league position does not reflect some of our performances.
“Hopefully we can have a more regular squad for the second half of the season and get more continuity on the park.”
Meanwhile, former Manchester United youngster Sean Evans has left Welsh Premier League side Aberystwyth Town and joined South West League club Cinderford Town.
Although playing for Cinderford, he has made himself available for Ludlow when he has no game for the Gloucestershire outfit.
