AFC Ludlow inch closer towards championship glory

AFC LUDLOW have inched a step closer towards winning the West Midlands League Division Two title, writes Lewis Deakin.

Boss Dave Cooper’s men made it seven wins on the bounce with a 2-0 win at Warstone Wanderers last night.

Two first-half goals from Dale Hodge and Dave’s son Keanu secured a precious three points for AFC Ludlow.

The Wanderers goalkeeper pulled off a series of superb saves early on to keep AFC Ludlow at bay.

But the deadlock was finally broken after 30 minutes. A long goal-kick from Ian Havard was flicked on by Hodge into the path of Cooper.

The youngster made no mistake as he slotted the ball home from just inside the six yard box.

It was soon 2-0 as a Luke Hicks’ free-kick over the top reached winger Rob Boyd, who turned the ball into the path of Hodge.

Hodge made no mistake to make it 2-0. Cooper insists this result sends out a clear message to AFC Ludlow’s title rivals.

After the break Havard made a crucial save to prevent Wanderers from getting back into the match.

Wanderers broke clear, but Havard was on top form to ensure AFC Ludlow left with the spoils.

AFC Ludlow are second in Division Two, just one point behind pace-setters Team Dudley.

But the gaffer warned that Wrens Nest, who have two games in hand on both Ludlow and Dudley are still favorites to win the championship.

He said: “This result is massive for our title ambitions. We put in a great performance against Warstone.

“We can only win our games. We will take it one match at a time. Warstone was a really tough place to go. I was frustrated, before we took the lead as their goalkeeper was excellent. He made eight or nine superb saves. As a goalkeeper myself I shook his hand at half-time.

“Wrens still have games to play, so we need them to drop points. We know there is nothing we can do about them now.

“If you had said to me back at Christmas that we would still have a shot at the title, with just two matches left to play. I would have bitten your hand off.”