It’s a fair old trek to Ludlow and you don’t want to go all that way and come away with nothing to show for it. Although it wasn’t the Ross U11s most outstanding performance to date, they won the match to make it 2 from 2.

Ludlow kicked off on their 3G pitch and right away started to pass the ball around in their own half, but threatened little.

It looked like Ross would take the lead early on when Eddie played in Harvey, who raced away from his marker, but the Ludlow keeper made a double save to deny him.

The visitors fell behind against the run of play when they failed to make a clearance in the middle of the pitch and a Ludlow ball over the defence sent their forward away and he slotted the ball in off the post. Although disappointing to fall behind, it didn’t seem to affect the Ross boys.

Theo had a great chance to equalise from Jake’s corner, but his header went narrowly wide and moments later Jake played a delightful through ball for Harvey, but a defender did well to clear the ball.

Ross were awarded a free kick midway into the Ludlow half. As the boys discussed who should take it, their manager, Mike, called Bill forward, expecting him to hit one of his crackers. Instead, Bill floated a delightful ball in, which Jake flicked in with his head, leaving the keeper completely stranded.

The final meaningful act of a generally disappointing first half saw Ludlow play a through-ball between the visitors defence, but Roo was on hand to race out of his goal and make a vital clearance.

The second half was a little better, but Ludlow had two good chances to go back ahead. JT was on hand both times to make important clearances.

Ross got their noses in front, thanks to Eddie, after a great pass from Harvey. Harvey then nearly doubled the lead, following Luca’s set up, but his shot was excellently blocked by a defender.

Jake hit the Ludlow post following a goalmouth scramble, and it looked like Ludlow were in on goal, but Harvey made a crucial tackle.

The play was end to end as both sides exchanged chances and, fortunately, Ross took two of theirs with Luca in the right place at the right time, to put them 3 – 1 up.

He then grabbed his second goal when Bill found Harvey on the left and Luca expertly met Harvey’s cross.

Either side of that goal, Theo made a vital block and Roo made a close range save after the visitors had given the ball away in their penalty area.

Ross almost added a fifth goal late on, with some nice play between Jake and Luca sent Eddie away, but the Ludlow keeper did well to deny him.

The Harley Finishings man of the match is Jake Hedges for a well taken headed goal, hard work in midfield and some excellent passes.