Jake Pryce wants to boost his fitness for AFC Ludlow next season

Hard-working midfield talisman Pryce scored a hat-trick in AFC Ludlow’s thumping West Midlands League Division Two 10-0 win against Wolverhampton Sporting Community Reserves.

Pryce wants to hit the ground running in front of goal after his heroics.

He said: “Next season I want to score more goals and get on the ball a lot more. I want to pass the ball around and get fitter. I will hopefully score a few more, before the end of the season after my performance against Reserves.

“Those three were my first goals of the campaign, so I was over the moon to bag a hat-trick in such a big game. It was probably the best match – we have played this season. Scoring a hat-trick will boost my confidence in front of goal.

"That win against Reserves is probably my highlight of the entire year. It was the best game of football we have played this season.”

Pryce admits he is flattered to be described as a ‘midfield talisman,’ by boss Dave Cooper.

The tough-tackling midfield maestro insists he tries his best for AFC Ludlow week-in and week-out.

He said: “I am proud that the manager and my team-mates have said nice things about me. I try to do my best week-in and week-out. I always give 110 per cent for the fans, who come down to watch us.”

Pryce, 20, revealed he was shocked by Reserves display at the Showtime Stadium.

But he believes the manner of AFC Ludlow’s victory will have given his team-mates a confidence boost.

He said: “I was shocked by Reserves performance against us. We were expecting a tougher game. This result will boost our confidence – the lads will have taken a lot out of our performance against Reserves. Our victory shows we can play well even when we some of our have key players missing. We worked really well as a unit on Saturday.”

The youngster has urged boss Cooper to bolster AFC Ludlow’s ranks in time for next season.

Pryce believes some fresh legs from the bench would really benefit the club.

He said: “We need some players to come in over the summer as we haven’t got many substitutes. We need a few bodies, who can come off the bench and freshen things up a bit. I think that will help us all out next season.”

Midfield maestro Pryce believes title-rivals Team Dudley are plotting their revenge ahead of their crunch match next month.

AFC Ludlow beat Dudley 2-1 back in January to spark a run of five straight victories.

He has urged his team-mates to keep up that winning habit to aid their promotion push.

Pryce said: “We have got to keep winning matches, for as many games as we possibly can. I think Dudley will want to get revenge, because we beat them and we are ending our season strongly.”