Ludlow Town launched life in the County League premier division with an astonishing 14-1 victory over Dawley Villa – but boss Mike Seaborne is playing down the goal feast.
Having stepped down from the West Midland League last term, the SBS Stadium men could not have wished for a better start as they stormed back from an early goal down.
But Seaborne is refusing to get carried away and warned that bigger tests await his new-look team in the coming weeks. “You obviously want to win your first game, so to score 14 goals is a bonus,” he said. “I’ve always said that we’ve got plenty of goals in us, and this result will send out a message to the rest of the league.
“But we’ll have bigger challenges this season, and I know teams will be raising their game against us. Although I could not have asked for any more, I still think we can play better so we must keep our feet on the ground.
“After a result like this, we’ll need to be prepared for teams looking to stop the likes of Nathan and Aaron Hodge from playing so it will be up to the other lads to step up to the plate.”
The encounter had not started as planned for Ludlow, with Dawley – who were known as Newport Borough last term – taking an early lead through Tim Haywood.
But Town were soon back on terms as Nathan Hodge weaved his way past several defenders to score the first of his seven goals.
The hosts never looked back after that and opened up a 5-1 interval lead, before dominating the second period against their shellshocked rivals.
Aaron Hodge finished with four goals, Danny Gower scored twice and Andy Walker completed the tally.
Ludlow had enough chances to have emerged even more emphatic winners, but would be more than satisfied with their efforts as they head to newly promoted FC Hodnet tomorrow in good spirits.
However last weekend’s scoring frenzy is still eight short of a league record.
For the first time, the match ball was sponsored by Craven Arms Post Office.
While Ludlow were the only local side on County League duty last weekend, several other south Shropshire teams get their first taste of action in division one tomorrow.
New boys Bishop’s Castle will meet up with a familiar face when they start life in the County League following their switch from the Montgomeryshire League, hosting Hanwood United reserves who are managed by their former boss Alan Kinsey.
Brown Clee, who met Ludlow in the semi-final of the Ludlow Hospital Cup in midweek, start in the league with a home meeting against Oakengates Athletic, while Church Stretton make the journey to Wellington Amateurs reserves.