IT WAS business as usual for lofty AFC Ludlow as they saw in the New Year with another imposing home win.

Their lead at the head of the West Midlands (Regional) League Division One table has mushroomed to a massive 15 points after a 5-1 victory over Team Dudley, their conquerors in last season’s KO?Cup final.

Boss Dave Cooper, whose side have dropped just a single point and conceded only seven goals in 11 league games on their 3G pitch this season, said: “We trained on New Year’s Day and that commitment paid off on Saturday. We were without several regulars but we played some good stuff and Dudley just couldn’t cope with our attacking.”

AFC were missing the suspended Luke Hicks and Steve Brotherwood, with Jamie Hammonds absent with work commitments and Gavin Podmore out with a back injury. It meant Cooper brought in fringe players Danny Crowther, Ryan Lewis and Rob Vass.

Keanu Cooper and Dale Hodge both went close as Ludlow made the running from the outset and it was no surprise when they took a 12th-minute lead. Skipper Jack Beaumont found Cooper and he played in the talented Kieran Dovey to place a shot under the visiting keeper.

Hodge, Cooper and Jason Wellings all had chances to add a second before AFC doubled their lead on 33 minutes.

Jamie Edwards picked out Hodge with a sublime 30-yard pass and Ludlow’s prolific leading scorer took the ball on before poking home his 20th goal of the season.

Dudley were seeing a lot of the ball but were unable to make an impression and they found themselves 3-0 down on 58 minutes. Some sparkling interplay between Cooper and Hodge set up Dovey to beat the offside trap and slot home his second goal of the game.

Dudley pulled a goal back from the penalty spot but AFC then made changes with Vass coming on for Jamie Smith and Lewis replacing Crowther, who had played in the back four. The lively Lewis, who has been turning out for Craven Arms, almost scored as soon as he was introduced but he soon made it 4-1 when he curled in a sublime drive from the edge of the box.

Cooper then put the icing on the cake by bagging the fifth, rifling home from 18 yards to bag the goal his overall performance deserved.

*BOSS Dave Cooper’s ongoing spat with the Shropshire FA?has seen him technically banned sine die for failing to pay a fine.

Cooper, whose original £30 fine has now increased to £80, is refusing to pay up on a matter of principle after being found guilty of swearing at a referee during the 5-2 win at Shifnal. He has called it a “total fabrication”.

Cooper is not allowed to play or manage under the ban but a resolution was hopefully going to be found before this Saturday’s home game with Trysull (2pm).