MARKSMAN Nathan Hodge could be missing for AFC Ludlow’s West Midlands League Division Two title run-in.

Hodge has had a minor back operation and is not expected to feature in title-chasing AFC Ludlow’s vital fixture at Warstone Wanderers’ next Wednesday.

Ludlow have just three league matches remaining and are one point behind table-topping Team Dudley, whom they face on the final day.

“Nathan won’t be available for the Warstone game – it will come too quickly for him,” said manager Dave Cooper.

Luke Hicks took over the goal-scoring mantle, netting twice in Ludlow’s 5-1 success at Malvern Rangers last Saturday.

Slovakian Marion Jusko and his brother Martin also scored for Ludlow, while Dale Hodge completed the rout.

Previously, 16-year-old Ryan Lewis hit a hat-trick for Ludlow in an 8-0 friendly win over Weobley on Thursday night. Sean Evans (2), Dale Hodge, Hicks and Marion Jusko also scored for Ludlow.

Nathan’s Hodge’s brother, Aaron Hodge, slammed in seven goals for Ludlow Town Colts in a 10-3 thrashing of Shrewsbury United Reserves in their final Mercian League Division Two match.

He also claimed the team’s golden boot award, snatching it from the grasp of Kieran Dovey, after netting 25 goals in just 15 games.

Josh Partridge (2) and Aaron Dovey were also on target for Colts.

Holders Church Stretton Town crashed out of the Mercian League Premier Division Cup after a 4-0 defeat at Morda.

“We looked bright in the opening 10 minutes but we didn’t really turn up and were 3-0 down at the break,” said Stretton joint-manager Joe Leask.

Tenbury United remain favourites to win the Herefordshire League Division One crown after a 3-0 victory at Ewyas Harold Reserves.

Will Caswell hit four goals in Orleton Colts’ 7-0 win at Kingstone Rover, with Martin Jones bagging a hat-trick.

Brimfield FC return to league action at Wellington Colts this Saturday after Hinton Reserves couldn’t raise team last weekend.

Leintwardine Colts were without top scorer Toby Sivetar but picked up a point from a 2-2 draw at Dore Valley in Division Three.

Chris Shurmer’s side twice fought back with their goals from Jonny Tranter and Chris Matthews.

Newcastle’s Mid Wales League (South) title hopes ended after a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Sennybridge.

Newcastle goalkeeper Ben Harvey tipped away a late free kick after Jamie Blythe had struck the bar and Dewi Allen had headed over.

Mark Hudson scored a 20-yard opener but Norbury suffered a 2-1 defeat at Charles Darwin in Division One of the Shrewsbury and District Sunday League. Full-back Tom Evans took the plaudits for Norbury in a scrappy affair.