Ledbury FC face up with Ludlow Town Reserves

With their last game cancelled due to the effects of Storm Darragh, Ledbury come into the game off the back of their 4-2 victory over Clee Hill United, ending their six-game losing streak. 

"Experience tells you that at this time of year, the way the climate is with the weather – especially with our pitch – you are susceptible to games being called off," said Merrick. "This time of year, there are a lot of games called off, so you do build momentum and it can be frustrating.

"But most of the time it is just about keeping the lads interested and together."

The turn in results has come since the reappointment of Merrick, who left the club at the end of last season. A tumultuous start to the season, alongside a number of the players leaving the club along with Merrick, saw Ledbury drop lower in the league than they are used to. 

However, since Merrick has come back in, times seem to have changed for the better, with a strong performance against Bromyard Town to go along with the Clee Hill win. 

"A couple players have decided to re join the club," said Merrick. "At the moment we are getting stronger as the weeks progress. 

"We are building, a couple more players have joined the group, so I am confident that we can keep a good run of form going up to Christmas and into the New Year."

Next time out, Merrick's side face off with Ludlow Town Reserves, a team just below Ledbury in the table, trailing them by a single point. 

"Historically we have always had some good games against them, a couple of seasons ago they finished fourth or fifth in the league, so a side that have done well," said Merrick. "Their first team are going very well in Hellenic One, so whether they have got players who drop down, who need minutes or are coming back from injury or what-not, always poses a question.

"You can have two or three lads who drop down and really make a difference for the team.

"But we have always had tough games against them, so you never take it for granted. It is a tough place to go.

"They have got an all-weather pitch there, and the weather always seems to be quite unkind when we go, which can make it tricky for us.

"We have had some good results, and we have had some not good results, so we take nothing for granted, we go there and prepare the team, and hopefully come away with the win."