AFC Ludlow on the verge of title glory
AFC LUDLOW boss Dave Cooper believes the club are on the verge of winning their second consecutive championship.
By Lewis Deakin
AFC LUDLOW boss Dave Cooper believes the club are on the verge of winning their second consecutive championship.
Sikh Hunters and Wrens Nest drew 1-1 on Saturday, which means AFC Ludlow need maximum points from their remaining two games to secure the title.
Cooper insists his players’ deserve all the credit for their efforts in the West Midlands League Division Two.
He said: “Sikh and Wrens drew 1-1 last Saturday, which means if we win our final two games then we will be champions. The title is in our own hands.
“We were out of the race at Christmas, so if you had said we would have a chance with two games left – I would have bit your hand off. But since our win against Team Dudley we have beaten all the other teams. It has been a special effort from my players’.”
The manager believes the arrival of goal-machine Nathan Hodge from Haughmond gave the entire club a lift.
He insisted however, that AFC Ludlow aren’t reliant on Hodge.
AFC Ludlow travel to Wolverhampton Sporting Community Reserves tonight looking to make it eight straight wins.
Cooper has urged his men to maintain that winning habit tonight.
He said: “I think the signing of Nathan gave me and the entire club a lift. We have the best striker in the area without a shadow of a doubt. His arrival gave us all a boost.
“Nathan has had an operation on his back. He won’t play again this season. People think we rely on Nathan to score goals that is rubbish. Our recent performances have been a massive team effort.
“We have had to play against and beat other teams without Nathan. The players can give themselves a massive pat on the back. The lads have stood up in the second-half of the season.
“My message to the lads is to keep going. Wolverhampton could have their first-team players involved tonight. That is what can happen when you play in midweek.
“They have a total club squad of 70 to 80 strong. We asked their manager to play the game on Saturday. But they wanted to play against us tonight.”
If AFC Ludlow can lift the Division Two title, it will top their triumph in the Mercian League last season, Cooper insists.
The boss reckons the club can continue to climb through the divisions if the players remain committed to the cause.
He said: “It is only my second season as AFC Ludlow manager. In my first year we won the Mercian League. But if we win the Division Two title it will surpass last season’s achievement by far.
“The championship has been in the hands of Wrens and Team Dudley – now it is in our hands. All we can do is continue to go out and win our games.
“If we can get the same level of commitment we have seen since Christmas then we can hold our own in any league. The club as a whole will have 12 months more experience of playing at this level.”
Cooper revealed he is without Hodge and Rob Vass for tonight’s game. However, he insists he has a strong squad for tonight’s trip to Wolverhampton.
He said: “Rob has a shoulder injury and we are without Nathan. But Simon Bull is available. Even without two or three players tonight – we will still have a strong squad.”
Kick-off tonight is 7pm.
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