Manager Stuart Corns believes “five-star” Ludlow Town could shock pre-season favourites Bloxwich in tomorrow’s big home clash in the West Midlands League Premier division.
The SBS Stadium side made a rousing start with a 5-0 hammering of Gornal Athletic last Saturday – and now have an early chance to put their credentials to the acid test.
Corns, who took charge last summer, was delighted by the performance of his new-look side last weekend, although he admits fancied Bloxwich will prove a bigger obstacle.
“I think they won 7-1 at Ludlow last season and will be one of three or four sides expected to be up there this season,” he said.
“It’s going to be tough, but we may just surprise them tomorrow. Having watched them in midweek, I learned a few things and, the way they play with three centre backs, we may be able to exploit the fullback areas with our pace.”
He added: “People like the way we’re playing football and we can’t wait go get going in our first home game.
“We were the highest scorers last Saturday, while we were only one of two teams to keep a clean sheet –so you can’t ask for any more.”
Striker Nathan Hodge took centre stage last Saturday with a second half hat-trick on his West Midlands League debut, with the former Woofferton front runner linking up well with another newcomer Matty Elsmore.
“Nathan could play at a higher level but he’s enjoying his football here at the moment and hopefully we can keep him for the season,” added Corns.
“The two lads up front caused a lot of problems with their pace and having seen them in their first game I’m confident in my opinion that they can get 60 goals between them this season.”
After a scrappy start last Saturday, Ludlow began to get into their stride with crisp passing and good movement despite the length of the Gornal grass.
And they got their just rewards when manager Corns was brought down in the box midway through the first half. Up stepped skipper Ben McAuley only to see his penalty saved, but he made no mistake from the rebound.
Ludlow created several openings, with Hodge and Elsmore both going close, but the visitors were unable to add to their opening goal in the first half.
After the break, they were on the back foot for the first 10 minutes as Gornal threw men forward. However, Ludlow held firm and struck on the counter-attack, extending the lead on 65 minutes.
A well weighted free-kick found Dean Richards who in turn set up Hodge to convert at the far post. Five minutes later it was 3-0; a through ball from new boy Elsmore found Hodge, who slotted past the keeper.
And there was more to come when another through ball from Lewis Ayres reached Hodge, who completed his hat-trick to make it 4-0.
Ten minutes from time Jamie Marsh sent the ball crashing into the back of the net from six yards to complete the rout.
But it was Hodge’s day with a super hat-trick in his West Midlands League debut after being passed fit only just before the game after suffering from a groin injury that ruled him out of recent trials with League Two side Hereford United.
Ludlow have now signed Woofferton boss and goalkeeper Dave Cooper, who will be the regular custodian this season.
Hodge’s brother, Arron, has also been having trials at the SBSStadium.
By John Bridgwater
