Ludlow Town Colts 4

AFC Wellington 2

MANAGER Chris Waldron has saluted Ryan Bufton for inspiring Ludlow Town Colts to their best victory of the campaign.

Debutant Simon Bradley and Danny Gower were on the scoresheet for Ludlow, who are eighth in the Mercian League Division Two.

The only disappointment for Ludlow was the dismissal of Kieran Dovey, sent-off after picking up two bookings, with the score at 2-2.

High-flying Wellington had their goalkeeper red-carded for retaliation to Dovey’s challenge in an explosive first-half at the Showtime Stadium.

This Saturday, Ludlow travel to bottom-of-the-table Denso, who have conceded 210 goals in 19 matches and picked up just one point.

Boss Waldron said: “I was very pleased with the result even though we didn't play at our best. The lads named Ryan Bufton as our man of the match.

“He was excellent – he did a lot of work off the ball, breaking up most of Wellington’s play and set up a lot of ours.

“He is a big player for us and has stepped up since we lost Aaron Dovey to injury.

“Jamie Broome came off the bench and steadied our midfield with some simple but effective passing.”

Last Saturday’s game on the AGP surface at the Showtime Stadium was the only fixture which survived the wet weather in the Mercian League.

Josh Partridge opened the scoring for Ludlow before second-placed Wellington levelled when goalkeeper Kieron Roche dropped a lofted ball into the box and a visiting striker tapped home.

Martin Edwards deservedly restored Ludlow’s advantage, poking home a cross into the bottom corner.

Ludlow looked to be in control when Chris Yarwood conceded a penalty after bringing down a Wellington play in the box.

Wellington levelled from the spot and both sides were reduced to 10 men when Dovey was dismissed, following by the visiting goalkeeper.

Ludlow hit back and took a 3-2 lead before the break.

Bradley, making his debut for Ludlow Colts, was sent clean through and slotted past the ball past the stand-in goalkeeper.

And in a disjointed second period, Ludlow wrapped up the points when Gower raced through and blasted a shot into the far corner of the net.