THE Ludlow football scene has resembled a roller coaster during the first half of the campaign – and 2017 promises to be little different.

Ludlow Colts, the band of rookies that stepped up to senior football following the demise of AFC Ludlow, have adjusted well to the rigours of the men’s game despite some patchy results.

Christian Leech’s side has enjoyed good levels of support in Division One of the Herefordshire County League with goals the reward for locals turning out to witness the development of this predominantly young team.

They made a strong enough start with an opening-day triumph over Hinton Reserves but a couple of bad cup results bruised confidence and five straight home defeats later followed.

Sitting second bottom after a being leapfrogged by Weobley, Colts shipped six to local rivals Woofferton but arrested the slump in emphatic fashion before Christmas.

A 6-2 thrashing of Holme Lacy Reserves boosted morale with a 6-1 stuffing of rock-bottom Orleton Colts Reserves sending Ludlow into a second half of the season packed with away fixtures with renewed vigour.

Leech’s aim was for Colts to hold their own during this maiden voyage and having climbed to ninth, he will have every reason to believe they will continue to do so.

Woofferton may find themselves higher in the table but one-off nosedives and a points deduction for failing to fulfil a fixture against Ledbury Reserves in November sees them 14 points shy of the summit.

It all started so well under boss Phil Evans, who challenged his team to prove they belong in the county’s top tier following an 8-0 drubbing of Holme Lacy Reserves on the opening day.

With the exception of leaders Tenbury Town, Woofferton boast the best goalscoring record in Division One with 43 – the problem has been keeping them out at the other end.

They have scored five or more six times in the league but a 5-4 defeat in the reverse fixture with Holme Lacy, a 4-0 beating by Wellington Colts and the recent 4-1 setback at home to Ewyas Harold Reserves leaves any hope of a title tilt on the backburner.

In the Herefordshire Premier, Orleton Colts will be hopeful of a rapid ascent after the turn of the year following their mini renaissance in the build-up to the festive break.

Boss Kristian Morgan questioned commitment levels with several players missing matches and the team three points off the drop-zone last month.

Morgan admitted the current campaign had been the “poorest” he had experienced up to November but wins over high-flying Tenbury United and then Hereford Lads Club has put daylight between Colts and the lower reaches.