LUDLOW boss Chris Waldron admits his side’s free-scoring form is beginning to convince him they can challenge for the inaugural Salop Leisure League Premier Division title this season.

Waldron’s side continued their early-season goalscoring spurt with a thumping 8-0 win at Madeley on Saturday, making it 27 goals in Ludlow’s opening five games.

They have won four of those – losing only one, narrowly to leaders Steam Wagon United – and Waldron was purring after their weekend display.

“It was our best performance of the season so far,” he said.

“We scored really early on which helped and we never let them play – we were at them from the minute go, even in horrible conditions.

“We would like to think we can challenge this year, the squad of players we have got together is more than good enough to mount a challenge.

“But until we play the top teams, we can’t get carried away – those games will tell us where we are at. Dawley are the league favourites and we play them in two weeks’ time.

“So things are going to get tougher but I’m chuffed to bits with how we played on Saturday and it was nice to get a clean sheet too.”

Tom Everall scored four for Ludlow to take his personal tally to nine in five games, while Kieran Dovey, Sean Evans, Owen Holdsworth and Connor O’Connell also netted.

“Tom always scores goals,” added Waldron. “He was the top scorer in our West Midlands League division the season before last.

“And with the players he has around him, it must be a dream for a striker because they always create chances.”

Church Stretton’s Salop Leisure Premier trip to Dawley, meanwhile, was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Elsewhere, Ludlow’s tenants Shawbury United continued their solid start to the West Midlands Premier season as Reiss Corfield and Dylan Glendinning scored in a 2-0 win over Dudley Sports.

In the Herefordshire League, Clee Hill United set up a tasty early-season top-of-the-table Premier Division clash with Ewyas Harold this weekend with a 4-1 win at Hinton.

Craig Breakwell (2), Steven Preece and Liam Whitbread scored for leaders Hill, who host Harold in a battle of the two sides with 100 per cent records on Saturday.

There was a first win of the season for Ludlow Town Colts, who triumphed 2-0 at Wellington Rangers despite a red card for Ethan Millard as Kieran Hollis scored twice.

In Division One, leaders Tenbury United dropped their first points in a 2-2 draw at Leominster, while Dec Bright (2), Al Bright, Keiran Fish and Callum Gittens scored as Tenbury Town thrashed Hinton Reserves 5-0.

Ludlow Colts Reserves lost 6-1 at home to Hereford Lads Club Reserves and Woofferton were beaten 3-1 at Hereford City in Division Two.