JOINT-boss Scott Mackenzie reckons the backing of a buoyant crowd can inspire Ludlow Colts to break their home hoodoo.

Saturday’s 5-2 defeat to Weobley was Ludlow’s fifth straight home reverse in all competitions – a stark contrast to the two wins and a draw picked up at Bromfield Road at the start of the campaign.

Dan Crowther’s double, which took his tally to five goals in four league matches so far, ensured Colts went into the interval on level terms but Weobley struck three without reply during the second 45 minutes.

The setback also saw Colts leapfrogged by their opponents and plunged into the bottom two in Herefordshire League Division One.

But with three more matches on home soil to come before Christmas, kicking off with Saturday’s derby date with Woofferton (2pm), Mackenzie believes his boys will pick up thanks to the positive atmosphere created by the locals.

“They thrived on the buzz about the place at the beginning of the season, it seemed to work in our favour,” said Mackenzie.

“Most of the lads are 16 or 17 and some of the results have come as a bit of a shock to the system. Our confidence is completely shattered at the moment.

“We played two hard games in the Shropshire cups against Riverside and AFC Telford’s under-18s and while we held our own in many respects, we were well beaten in both.

“But our run of home games continues up until Christmas with a tough game against Woofferton on Saturday and hopefully, we will get a good crowd and that can play a part.

“We just need to get back to playing like we know we can. A lot of local lads play for Woofferton so it is quite a big game on a number of levels.”

On the Weobley match, Mackenzie added: “I thought we were the better team in the first half but they were in second and we just could not cope with them.

“Our heads dropped and we conceded three soft goals. To be honest it was a poor performance after half-time, we just didn’t turn up.”

Meanwhile, Mackenzie insisted Woofferton’s failure to fulfil Saturday’s clash with Ledbury Reserves would have no bearing on this weekend.

“They will be up for the game and I can see them all turning out. They have had a couple of injuries but will want to play.

“It is one of those things that crops up, work has to come first for lads at this level.”

Captain Scott Guilbert and Will McNinch should return to what Mackenzie expects to be a full Ludlow squad.