LUDLOW Town Colts joint-boss Mark Tonkinson is convinced his side will soon start to climb the Herefordshire Premier table once Lady Luck starts smiling on them.

Colts’ 3-2 defeat to Malvern Town Reserves was their third loss in four games in all competitions – with all coming by a one-goal margin.

They almost earned a point from 3-0 down through a Jack Gittoes header and a Simon Bradley penalty but could not find a leveller despite the visitors being reduced to ten men late on.

Tonkinson said: “We are not a million miles away and we need to take into account that we have played Holme Lacy, Kington and Malvern, who are all in the top five.

“I just think that if we get that little bit of luck that we have deserved, we will climb the table and maybe go on a bit of a run.

“I would be worried if we weren’t creating chances but we are creating loads and just not taking them.

“I don’t want the lads to get downhearted if we lose a few more. Last season (in Division One) was easy and this is a test of character to see if they are up for the fight. I know they are.”

Colts Reserves got off the mark in Division One as goals from Josh Williams and Josh Ashton gave them a 2-1 win at Hereford City.

Clee Hill thrashed Fownhope 6-1 in the Herefordshire County Challenge Cup as Josh Carpenter and Craig Breakwell bagged braces, while Steve Eddies-Davies and Ben Slingsby also netted.

Woofferton made it two wins on the spin in Division Two as Nathan Hardisty’s double plus a Corey Whitticase effort gave them a 3-0 victory at Dorstone.

Boss Dane Pearce said: “I’m a fairly happy man but there’s still much to improve on and we could have won by six or seven on Saturday.”

Woofferton hope to have the chance to build on their back-to-back wins with a visit to basement side Marden on Saturday but Pearce is not convinced the game will go ahead.

Marden have cancelled several games and lost the only match they have played 26-0.

Pearce added: “I don’t expect the game to be on. I think they are seriously struggling for players and I can’t see them being in the league much longer.

“I will be disappointed if it’s not on in the sense of momentum – we are getting going now and once you win you want to keep playing.”