Ludlow Hat-Trick Secures Second For Ollerton

Ollerton secured second-place on the final day of the Central Midlands North Division season after a 3-0 victory away at Brodsworth Welfare.
The reverse fixture was a closely fought affair with a Kyle Ludlow goal separating the two sides. On Saturday, Ludlow proved to be the difference once again but the victory was much more comfortable as his hat-trick not only secured the three points, but took him to 23 goals for the season, meaning he ended the campaign as Ollerton's top goalscorer.
Saturday's victory was Ollerton's eight successive win and it's been this run of form that has seen them secure runners up 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 on 25 minutes, they went close to doubling their lead. Sam Dockwray found room in midfield to hit a sweet strike at goal which Diggles did brilliantly to tip over the bar.
Ollerton had their head in their hands five minutes later after somehow not scoring another following a goal-mouth scramble whilst Bradley Maddison had Brodsworth's best chance of the half, seeing a shot saved brilliantly by Simon Smith after a weaving run into the Ollerton area.
It was Brodsworth who had the best of the early chances in the second half. Luke Farrar was rolled through but he spurned a golden opportunity, shooting straight at Smith.
Kyle Ludlow was looking like a man determined and he continuously caused Brodsworth problems. Just after the hour mark, he came close to getting a second for him and his side. Lewis Bingham's corner was headed back across goal by Paul Burgess and Ludlow rose highest before thumping a header against the bar.
On 77 minutes, a deflected Brodsworth free-kick from the edge of the area forced Smith into a good save low down but three minutes later, Ollerton finally made it two-nil. The brilliant Sam Dockwray charged forward from midfield and he played in Ludlow who cut inside before finding the bottom corner.
That goal secured his Top Goalscorer title and Ludlow managed to add icing on top of the cake with three minutes to go by securing his hat-trick. Ludlow out-muscled Graeme Severn on the right wing before charging into the area and beating Diggles for a third time.
Ollerton are expected to secure promotion to the North East Counties League over the new few weeks so Saturday's game may be their last in the Central Midlands League for some time. If that turns out to be the case, they signed off in style with a performance that encapsulated their recent good form.
Overall, Ollerton will be very happy with their season and after only winning one of their first five league games, not many will have expected them to go on and secure second place. It's certainly the best team Ollerton have had in a long time and it's terrific that they have managed to secure a runners-up spot to show for it.