BOSS Dave Cooper read the riot act in AFC Ludlow’s 1-0 home defeat against rivals Church Stretton in the Ludlow Hospital Cup final.

The former Woofferton stopper said the first-half of Sunday’s tie was one of the worst displays he’d seen from a Ludlow side as Richard Green hit Stretton’s winner.

“At half time, a few home truths were told and I explained to the players that the level of performance wasn’t anywhere near what I would accept,” he said.

Cooper was delighted with Ludlow’s secondhalf response and said his side were unlucky not to force an equaliser at the SBS Stadium.

Ludlow open their Merican League Premier Division campaign at home to Ellesmere Rangers Reserves this Saturday.

Cooper’s men then host Church Stretton in the league next Wednesday and have an immediate chance to avenge last weekend’s loss.

“I have told the lads that there are 10 shirts up for grabs for the first game of the season, “ said Cooper, who will be playing in goal.

“We had two tough matches against Ellesmere last season. We beat them 1-0 at home and then drew 1-1 up there.

“We’ve got some new players – Simon Bradley, Dickie Everall, Ricky Price and Chris Breakwell, who scored twice in a 2-1 win over Newbridge last week.

“Craig Breakwell has told me that he’s going to play rugby this year but he will sign on for us and play when he’s available.”

Cooper said he was waiting to hear from the three Hodge brothers – Dale, Aaron and Nathan – about their football plans this winter.

“We will be hoping to put the score straight against Church Stretton.

They deserved to win but it wasn’t very nice seeing your rivals picking up a trophy on your own ground.”

Church Stretton’s new management duo Joe Leask and Adam Spellman were delighted with their Ludlow Hospital Cup success.

Joint-manager Leask said: “We have got five or six new faces this season – some local to Stretton and others from the Shrewsbury area.

“We finished 10th in the league last year and we’ve worked hard to strengthen the squad in the last four or five weeks.”

He added: “Green scored the only goal against Ludlow and capped a good showing, while Dan Tolley and Sean Peever played well.”

Stretton start their league campaign at home against Whitchurch Alport Reserves this Saturday before travelling to Ludlow.

“We beat Whitchurch twice last season but their first-team have withdrawn from the Cheshire League and they will be a tougher prospect. We will be looking for three points.

“We always have good matches against Ludlow.

They are our nearest rivals but the matches are always well contested and played