Ludlow boss Dave Cooper hopes for Shropshire FA Challenge Cup run (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Ludlow boss Dave Cooper hopes for Shropshire FA Challenge Cup run

5:07pm Tuesday 30th October 2012 in Sport

AFC Ludlow manager Dave Cooper says a run in the Shropshire FA Challenge Cup would be a nice bonus.

The Mercian League Premier Division is the priority for Ludlow, who host last season’s champions, Newport Town, this Saturday.

“Newport won our league last season and are now doing well in the West Midlands League,” said Cooper.

“It’s the league that we’re interested in but a run in this cup competition would be a bonus for us.

“We have beaten Newport twice at home over the past two seasons and they defeated us twice away.”

Saturday’s first-round clash is Ludlow’s only home game this month.

And Ludlow will be without Sean Evans, who has returned to Stourbridge, suspended Jake Pryce and Simon Bull and Rob Vass, who are both working.

“We didn’t have a game last Saturday, so we went to watch Church Stretton, who played well,” said Cooper.

“We have got some good players and we don’t fear anyone.”

He added: “It will be an interesting game against Newport.”

Bishop’s Castle fought back from 2-0 down at home to Oswestry Lions to claim a point from a 2-2 draw in Mercian League Division One.

Luke Mellor and man-of-the-match Mark Griffiths grabbed the goals for Castle.

“We were poor in the first-half and we could have been four or five goals down at half-time,” said Castle boss Andy Green. “We had a bit of a chat and played some good football in the second-half. “It was our biggest game of the season.”

Wayne Whitbread’s Clee Hill return to action with a home league match against Hopesgate United this Saturday.

A brace from Chris Breakwell led Woofferton Colts to 4-1 success at Fownhope Reserves in the Herefordshire League Division Two.

Simon Bradley and Ryan Lockley also scored for a rampant Colts.

Boss Chris Shurmer hailed stand-in goalkeeper Tom George in Leintwardine Colts’ goalless draw at local rivals Orleton Colts in Herefordshire League Division Three.

George replaced the unavailable Bryn Alford, while Glyn Lewis also played well for Leintwardine, now fifth in the league.

Newcastle came from behind to secure a 2-1 home success over Sennybridge and avenged a league cup defeat. Craig Morris’ penalty levelled matters before Carl Price hit the winner for fifth-placed Newcastle.

Due to a funeral, Bucknell were allowed to postpone their match at Talgarth Town Reserves.

Luke Mellor’s double led Norbury to a 3-1 win against The Peacock in Division One of the Shrewsbury and District Sunday League.

Martyn Ziemann scored with a bullet-header for Norbury, while Reece Evans was in outstanding form for the hosts.

Ludlow Ladies fielded three debutants in a 12-1 defeat against Wyre Forest Ladies in the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Women’s County League.

Holly Morgan scored a fine goal for Ludlow, while Lisa Preece, Loz Smith, Lisa Stokes, Kerrie Taylor, Donna Powell and Jess Hurp battled hard for Ludlow.