LUDLOW Colts hit double figures at the weekend to finish the year on a high – their 10-1 mauling of Hereford City hoisting them clear of the foot of the Herefordshire League Division One table.

Now manager Christian Leech is hoping for more of the same going into 2018 with some clean sheets among his Christmas wish list.

The Colts have now scored 16 goals in their last two games – both of them against Hereford – but their defensive record is one of the worst in the league.

“We were able to field first team manager Luke Hicks in defence because their game was off,” Leech said.

“His experience made a big difference for us and with Simon Bull alongside him, we looked really solid at the back.

"It would be nice to get a few more clean sheets though.

“Keanu Cooper was also able to play because his game [for Shawbury] was off and having players of that ability certainly make a difference.

“We drew 6-6 at Hereford in our last game and that was with a depleted squad so we knew we had a chance.”

Sammy Watkins handed Ludlow an early lead but this was cancelled out just four minutes later thanks to a Jamie Smith effort.

Scott Guilbert and Charlie Gould hit back for Colts before the visitors had Jack Norton sent off.

From then on it was one-way traffic for Leech’s side who opened up a 6-1 lead at the break thanks to a second from Guilbert and Gould completing his hat-trick.

Guilbert completed his treble on the hour before Cooper struck twice and it was left to Jack Francis to round things off in injury time.

“We played some great football at times on Saturday and scored some good goals,” the manager added.

“We have not been helped this season with injuries.

"George Sankey made his return only to suffer a knee injury and we have also had to rule Toby Siveter for the rest of the season following his knee injury.

“Now we have lost Matt Walford who is a really good midfielder.

"He’s been playing well for us but is going abroad to work for a few months.”

The Colts are now without a game until January 6 when they head to Orleton Colts Reserves who sit one place and just two points above them in the table but have not played a game since mid-November.