DEADLY Dale Hodge helped himself to another four goals as AFC Ludlow bounced back from their first defeat of the season in stunning style.

Hodge led the way as AFC hammered FC Stafford 6-1 to restore their lead at the head of the West Midlands (Regional) League Division One table to ten points.

Dave Cooper recalled Steve Brotherwood and Jamie Hammonds in midfield, and Kieran Dovey up front and his selection was vindicated as the predatory Hodge was in the right place at the right time to bag all four first-half goals.

It took his tally to 11 in the last four games and had it not been for the Stafford woodwork, Ludlow could have gone in at the break six or seven to the good.

Stafford pulled one back at the start of the second half but AFC then scored twice more. Hodge turned provider to set up Keanu Cooper to despatch a slick left-footer and substitute Jason Wellings headed the sixth.

Boss Cooper said: “We were devastatingly good in the first half, and Dale rightly got the Man of the Match award. It wouldn’t have flattered us had we scored ten.”

*INFLUENTIAL defender Luke Hicks misses this weekend’s tough trip to second-placed Lads Club, who have won nine and drew one of their last ten games.?He has been given a one-match suspension for five bookings.

Meanwhile AFC’s TJ Vickers Premier Cup home quarter-final with Telford Juniors will take place on Wednesday, December 2.