SCOTT Mackenzie believes Ludlow Town Colts’ upcoming double-header with Shobdon will decide their league destiny after seeing his side pushed all the way in the cup.

Colts reached the Herefordshire Junior Cup final with a 3-0 win over Shobdon last Saturday in a game much closer than the scoreline suggests.

Ludlow sit four points clear at the top of Herefordshire Division One with games in hand on most rivals but they have yet to play Shobdon and Mackenzie believes those matches will be vital.

He said: “The first half on Saturday was very even – we had the better chances, missed a penalty and hit the bar, but I thought Shobdon were actually the better team.

“We edged the second half – our fitness started to tell and we created the better chances but it wasn’t as comfortable as it looks.”

On the league, he added: “It would be disappointing if we didn’t win it now but the two games against Shobdon are going to be critical.

“There was nothing much in it on Saturday until our first goal so those two games are going to be massive – if we can take points off them, that pretty much wraps it up for us.”

Simon Bradley hit the post with Ludlow’s first-half penalty but they led on the hour mark through a fine Danny Crowther goal.

Andrew Pugh then sent Dan Griffiths racing clear to chip the keeper for Colts’ second before a deflected Jabez Smith strike sealed a final date with Ledbury Town Reserves.

Ludlow FC, meanwhile, face a big semi-final this Saturday at Shrewsbury Juniors in the last four of the Shropshire Challenge Cup.

Ludlow are a division above their hosts but Juniors are runaway leaders of the Shropshire Premier and won 3-0 at Church Stretton in the previous round.

Boss Chris Waldron said: “They are a very good – they average five goals a game and they should be in our league.

“That they beat Church Stretton, who are second in our league, tells you everything you need to know.”