Ludlow hat-trick means Ollerton finish on a high

A Kyle Ludlow hat-trick sealed a 3-0 win for Ollerton on the road at Brodsworth Welfare, meaning that only the ground graders stand in the way of promotion for the Notts side.

Ludlow’s goal in the reverse fixture separated the two sides and he proved the difference on Saturday, as he finished the season as Ollerton’s top scorer with 23 goals.

Saturday’s victory was Ollerton’s eight successive win and it’s been this run of form that has seen them secure second spot ahead of the likes of Phoenix, Appleby Frodingham and Harworth.

It only took Ollerton seven minutes to take the lead.

After a mix-up at the back, Ollerton won the ball on the edge of the Brodsworth area and Ludlow had space to turn and fire a shot past a wrong-footed Josh Diggles.

Supported by a strong away following, Ollerton kept up the early pressure and went close to doubling their lead firstly through Sam Dockwray then a goalmouth scramble minutes later.

At the other end Simon Smith saved superby from Bradley Maddison in Brodsworth’s best chance of the half. Smith was again alert to stop Luke Farrar in the early moments of the second.

Ludlow went close just after the hour-mark with a thumping header that rebounded off the cross bar from Lewis Bingham’s corner and Paul Burgess’ header back across goal.

His and Ollerton’s second finally came after the brilliant Dockwray charged forward from midfield and played in Ludlow who cut inside before finding the bottom corner.

With three minutes to go Ludlow put the icing on the cake with his third. He out-muscled Graeme Severn on the right wing before charging into the area and beating home keeper Diggles.

Ollerton hope the win and second place will secure promotion to the North East Counties League over the coming weeks.

They signed off the 2015/16 season in style with a performance that encapsulated their recent good form.

Ollerton will be happy with their campaign and after only winning one of their first five league games, not many would have expected them to go on and secure second place. It’s the best team Ollerton have had in a long time and terrific that they have managed to secure runners-up spot.