Ludlow On Fire As Ollerton Beat Harworth

Gala's 1996 song Freed from Desire has had somewhat of a resurgence over the past few years with football fans from the length and breadth of the United Kingdom adapting the chorus to suit their favourite players, with Newcastle's Aleksandar Mitrovic and most famously, Wigan's Will Grigg, both reportedly being "on fire". In a corner of Nottinghamshire however, just outside Sherwood Forest, it's not Mitrovic or Grigg but Kyle Ludlow who fans sing about, after his 23 goals in the 2015-2016 season helped secure Ollerton's promotion to the NCEL. Last season Ludlow ended on 12 goals, a very respectable return for Ollerton's debut season at step six but on Friday night's showing, NCEL defences have every right to be terrified this season as Ludlow scored a hat-trick to help Ollerton to a impressive 4-1 win over Harworth Colliery.

He got his first just three minutes into the game, heading a typically pin-point set piece by Kyle Clarkson over Harworth 'keeper Steve Wibberley and into the back of the net.

Harworth didn't let the early setback have too much effect on them however and soon started putting pressure on the Ollerton defence and showing why they'll be right in the mix for promotion out of the Central Midlands North this season. Their pressure paid off in the 21st minute as they leveled proceedings. Will Sutton impressed at left back and he beat the Ollerton defence with a through ball that found Dan Wood who in turn slotted past Scott Gretton and into the bottom corner.

Before the half was up, Ollerton retook the lead. Sam Stretton's quickly taken freekick caught the Harworth defence out and Ludlow raced on to the pass to fire past Wibberley. Ludlow nearly secured his hat-trick in the opening 45 minutes, but he blasted just wide of the upright after a pass by Brandon Shaw.

Harworth made wholesale changes during the break and the substitutes were punished for perhaps not settling immediately into proceedings as Ollerton scored two, quick fire goals to kill the game off. Ollerton Manager Dave Winter only made two changes at half time but they proved to be very effective, playing a big part in Olleron's third. Gavin King delivered a delightful ball from the right after it fell to Grant Tobin, his shot was fumbled by Wibberley allowing Ludlow to pick up the rebound from close range and fire into the net.

Grant Tobin, brother of Ollerton's Greg, who assisted Ollerton's fourth too. He played a brilliant ball through the Harworth defence, putting Lewis Bingham through on goal and he made no mistake, rounding Wibberley despite contact from the Harworth 'keeper and rolling into the empty goal.

King, who has played for Ollerton previously but signed from Sherwood Colliery this summer, was showing why he'll be an important signing for Ollerton this season but a lack of sharpness in front of goal denied him the chance to open his account for the season. He saw a chipped effort saved well before firing a great chance over the bar after being teed up by Bingham.

Overall, Ollerton will be very happy with their night's work, especially after a difficult 7-0 loss last week to Eastwood Community had people writing them off already. With several tough friendlies to come in quick succession, Dave Winter will be hoping for more of the same over the coming weeks as they look to fine tune their fitness and sharpness before the start of the new NCEL season on August 5th.

Ollerton Team: Gretton, Armstrong, Shaw, Stretton, Bowring, Pearce, Shannon, Greg Tobin, Ludlow, Clarkson, Bingham

Subs:
Gavin King ON for Ashley Shannon
Grant Tobin ON for Kyle Clarkson
Ashley Shannon ON for Kyle Ludlow
Terry Annable ON for Greg Tobin
Kyle Clarkson ON for Scott Gretton
Kyle Ludlow ON for Sam Stretton