LUDLOW Town Colts broke their Herefordshire League Division One duck with an excellent 5-0 victory over visitors Ledbury Town Reserves.

With Ludlow’s first team without a game, Colts boss Christian Leech was able to call on a few reinforcements including first team manager Luke Hicks to help out and combat a growing injury list that includes star striker Toby Siveter who looks set to miss for majority of the season after suffering a serious knee injury in last week’s game against Woofferton.

The home side started the better and they were soon ahead when Kieran Dovey picked the ball up on the halfway line and ran at the Ledbury defence which parted like the Red Sea allowing the midfielder to place his shot past the keeper and into the bottom corner.

Ludlow continued to dominate the possession but failure to turn that into clear-cut chances ensured they were unable to add to the scoreline by the break.

At the other end, Hicks and Simon Bull were solid at the back and when they were beaten with a ball over the top, keeper Kieran Roche pulled off a great save to deny Charlie White and keep Ludlow’s lead in tact.

The second half started with Ludlow playing with more purpose and confidence and they were rewarded when the impressive Richard Hill received a ball from man of the match Sol Barker and fired a 20-yard shot into the bottom left corner.

Ludlow continued to dominate and press with Danny Crowther, who was back in the Colts line-up, having chances only to see them blocked or fly wide.

The striker did get on the scoresheet when he netted after the visiting defence failed to deal with a ball into the box and James Byatt then came off the bench to make his second appearance back following a groin injury and duly capped things off with a brace in the 77th and 85th minute thanks to good work from Barker and Dovey.

The Colts travel to unbeaten Kingstone Rovers on Saturday buoyed by their first points of the season.

Ludlow’s first team, meanwhile, return to action with a Shropshire County Cup match at Brown Clee.

Colts boss Leech said: “This was a very convincing victory for the Colts who were in desperate need of three points.

“Hopefully this will spur the players on ahead of our game with Kingstone Rovers.

“Sol Barker was outstanding and it was clear that playing with some first teamers boosted his confidence.

"Having someone like Kieran Dovey – by far the best player I’ve seen in this area – in the team was brilliant for the young players who were able to learn from him.”