Malvern Rangers 0 Ludlow Town Reserves 3

LUDLOW got the 2004 half of their West Midlands League Division 1 South campaign off to a winning start with an excellent team performance at Malvern, showing little signs of rustiness after a three-week lay-off.

Playing up the slope they immediately went on the offensive and almost scored in the first five minutes when Shaun Parker played in Adam Bowen who was only denied by a superb save.

They continued to attack and opened their account in the 14th minute when James Williams picked up a pass from Patrick Hamilton to beat a defender and fire an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net.

Parker was again prominent in the second goal, his defence-splitting pass finding Bowen who rounded the home goalkeeper and a defender before coolly slotting home.

Ludlow continued to dominate the play, and even when Malvern tried to get back into the game, they were met by a well-organised visiting defence with goalkeeper Ben Hutton having little to do.

With the game well under control manager Chris Keay used the opportunity to introduce substitutes Simon Bull, Daniel Biggins and Michael Edwards.

They all did well, with Biggins firing a splendid volley which flew just wide, and Edwards going close on two occasions.

With five minutes left to play Ludlow made sure of victory with a third goal, Parker finding Bowen with a long clearance out of defence for the striker to cheekily lob the goalkeeper from 20 yards to claim his second goal.

Keay was delighted with his team's performance and with a couple of experienced players returning for next week at Blackheath, he is hopeful of closing the gap on the top teams.