FITNESS was the key to Ludlow’s battling 4-1 win at Newport Town in Division Two of the West Midlands League on Saturday.

That’s the message from manager Chris Wilder who saw his young side overhaul a 1-0 half-time lead before wrapping up the win that keeps them top of the table after three games.

“I thought the fitness told in the end,” he said. “It was a really close game in the first half - we hit the bar and missed a couple of chances and they sneaked a goal just before the end.

“But we are a young side, naturally fit, and in the heat they seemed to fall apart after we scored two goals straight after the break.”

James Byatt and Dan Griffiths bagged those and Ludlow wrapped up the points thanks to a Jack Davies brace.

Wilder’s side face a trip to Telford Juniors this weekend, a side they beat 4-0 on the opening day of the season.

And the manager is confident of securing the double - as long as his team turns up.

“The problem is I never know what I’m going to get,” Wilder added. “If we turn up then we are able to give anyone a game.”

Ludlow’s Division Two neighbours Church Stretton lost a seven-goal thriller 4-3 at Coven Athletic.

Owen Holdsworth, who scored twice in their opener against Ludlow, was on target along with Jack Davis and Matthew Jones but a double from the impressive Paul Blagrove helped wrap up the win for Coven.

Saturday sees Stretton back at Russells Meadow when Newport Town are the visitors.