AFTER the past two campaigns, it’s no wonder Ludlow FC boss Chris Waldron is fed up with stop-start seasons – but he’s been handed another break after just one game in the Salop Leisure League.

Ludlow thrashed last season’s Division One champions Prees United 4-0 on Saturday with goals from Connor Davies-Austin, Tom Everall, Ryan Lewis and Josh Williams.

But due to the odd number of teams - 15 - in the Premier Division, Ludlow now have a free weekend before a big derby against Church Stretton at the end of August.

“It’s a bit annoying to start then stop then start again,” Waldron admitted, “but this is the problem when you have an uneven number of sides in the league.

“It would have been nice to get that momentum going but we will just have to prepare for the Stretton game the following week.

“It was nice to start the season with three points – we played some nice football at times, got the ball on the deck and tried to play the right way.

“We completely dominated the game from start to finish and should have scored more but we will take the win on the opening day.

“We know there are going to be tougher challenges in the league but the main thing was to get the three points as it always helps build confidence.”

Stretton were the team to miss out on a game on the opening day, being the odd side out, and they also start against Prees, away, this Saturday.

It will be a first game in charge for new management trio Dean Richards, Joe Bartl and Campbell Naylor after Scott Peever and assistant Ross Ramuite stood down.

“It should be an exciting season,” said Richards. “We have managed to retain pretty much all of the squad from last season and made two or three new signings as well.

“We feel with the squad of players we’ve got, there’s always the opportunity for us to do well and we will be looking to finish in the top two or three.

“Prees are on the back of winning Division One but we just have to go there, earn the right to play and hopefully our quality will come through.”