LACK of discipline cost Ludlow dear as they suffered a 5-3 defeat at Bromsgrove in the Warwick Printing West Midlands League Premier Division.

They only had eight players on the pitch at one stage and paid the price in conceding four second-half goals.

Ludlow took the lead after ten minutes with a well-worked penalty corner from Brenden Pratt, and then doubled their lead midway through the half when Andy Richards steered home.

Bromsgrove got a goal back before half-time, and they carried on where they had left off at the start of the second period, quickly snatching an equaliser.

Ludlow were then reduced to only eight players and Bromsgrove took full advantage to score twice in quick succession. They made it 5-2 as Ludlow were restored to full strength and Ludlow’s third goal from Pratt proved nothing more than a consolation, though they were close to a fourth near the end when a close-range shot was deflected just over.

Ludlow 2nd earned a deserved 1-1 draw against Droitwich in their first home game for over a month.

Despite some end-to-end action, there was no score at half-time but the second period saw Ludlow’s youngsters step up to the plate. Ten minutes in a rebound from a Cameron Hillhouse shot was swiftly and confidently swept in by James Raymond.

Droitwich raised their game and levelled when a cross was deflected in at the far post.

Ludlow 3rd defeated an experienced Aldridge and Walsall side 4-3 in an excellent game at Wenlock. All Ludlow's four goals were outstanding and the culmination of some excellent team work.

The first was finished off with real flair by Tyler Davis to give Ludlow an early lead but the visitors responded with a well-struck penalty corner. In the second half the young Ludlow forwards responded well and Mark Sandell claimed a hat-trick, including a goal of the season candidate, a flicked strike over the goalkeeper's head.

*LUDLOW/WENLOCK Ladies, beaten 11-0 in an early-season game at Telford, showed the extent of their improvement with a battling 1-1 draw against the same opponents.

Telford dominated the early exchanges and took a first-half lead but as the game progressed the fitness levels of their youngsters enabled Ludlow/Wenlock to control midfield.

Kim Leighton's incisive run cut through the Telford defence to set up Leahanna Parry for a deserved equaliser, which the team celebrated in style.

*LUDLOW followed a 12-7 defeat to North Staffs in the Men’s Indoor League with a 7-6 verdict over Cannock. James Pratt scored hat-tricks in both games, with Sam Pratt also notching a treble against North Staffs.