Oakengates Athletic 0 AFC Ludlow 1

BOSS Dave Cooper wants his cousin Julian Marsh to put on a Ludlow shirt - and guide the club to a league and cup double.

The experienced Marsh used to play for Ludlow Town and has been in Cooper’s dug-out for the past two matches.

“I am trying to get my cousin to play for Ludlow - and we might need him,” said Cooper.

“I had to play in goal last weekend and Tom Everall has played the last two weeks for Woofferton.”

A superb strike from the returning Ricky Price gave Ludlow a nar row win at Oakengates in the first round of the Mercian League Premier Division Cup.

“Price played all preseason but hurt his ankle in the Ludlow Hospital Cup final against Church Stretton,” said Cooper.

“We have some huge matches coming up.”

Ludlow will now host arch-rivals Morda - the new Premier Division leaders - in the quarterfinals of the knockout competition.

“It’s the Morda tie that everyone wanted,” said Cooper. “We don’t fear them one bit and we will all be up for it.

“That’s the one fixture we’re all looking forward to. Morda thumped us 3-0 in the Shropshire Premier Division Cup final last year but I think we’re a better team this season.

“Morda have also just gone top of the league and are five points clear of us.”

Title-chasing Ludlow travel to Allscott in the league this Saturday.

“We played Allscott the other week and we beat them 6-0 but it won’t be an easy game.”

“We need to pick up points because we are slipping behind in the league.”