AFC Ludlow 5 Weston Rhyn 0

BOSS Dave Cooper hailed Jake Pryce and Jamie Hammonds as Ludlow kept up their Mercian League Premier Division title assault.

Cooper said the central-midfield duo were ‘the best players on the pitch’ in Ludlow’s emphatic victory over an improved Weston Rhyn at the SBS Stadium.

Ludlow are second, just three points behind Church Stretton, with six games in hand.

Title-favourites Ludlow host sixth-placed Shifnal United 97 this Saturday.

“We were not at the races for the first 25 minutes and Weston were much the better side,” said Cooper.

“Jamie Hammonds played for us and he always makes a big difference. He’s in the fire service and is not available for each match.”

Dickie Everall put Ludlow 1-0 up after 25 minutes, from Hammonds’ corner, and Nathan Hodge doubled their lead before the break.

Jamie Marsh netted from the penalty spot after Hammonds had been fouled and Everall bagged a fourth goal.

Another replacement, Dave Humphries, rounded off the scoring for in-form Ludlow.

“We only beat Weston 1-0 away from home but they brought 17 players on Saturday and a couple of new strikers, who were a handful,” said Cooper.

“The scoreline probably flattered us but we could have scored a lot more goals in the second-half.

“Danny Gower was only on the bench to start with because he’s going snowboarding in France. But he came on after Alan Williams was injured and did well.”

Williams is an injury concern for Cooper ahead of Shifnal’s visit this weekend and top-scorer Gower is not available.

“Shifnal were a decent side last season and we drew twice against them,” said Cooper. “The next three games are going to be tough and are huge games for us.”