LTHC Men’s 2nd XI 3 at Rugby & East Warwickshire Men’s 2nd XI 1
MRHA T1 – Midlands 2
Saturday 1st December 2018
Loughborough Town Men’s 2nd XI faced Rugby & East Warwick Men’s 2nd XI in the final fixture before the Christmas break. Loughborough, wanting 3 points to cement their league position, knew the fixture would be a physical encounter and had prepared well for this at their weekly training.
The match started brightly for Town and soon they dominated the play. After an excellent lead from forward Ryan Hatley, Town worked an excellent opportunity which Ryan gratefully accepted, calmly flicking the ball into the top left corner. 1-0 Town. Town continued to exert their dominance through the younger team members, Connor Sign and Adam Carter displaying some excellent skills. During a period of dominance for Town, a rare foray into the D by Adam Lamb drew an unexpecting Rugby keeper out from his net to plough through the back of Adam, from just off the baseline and outside of the post. Penalty Stroke! Ryan Hatley stepped up and coolly dispatched the flick into the right hand side of the net, 2 nil Town. Play continued in the same vein until, after countless incursions into the enemies D, Town were rewarded with a deserved penalty corner. A slick routine well converted by Sam Curd took the away side to 3-0 and what turned out to be an unassailable lead at half time.
The second half started brightly, until a lapse in concentration lead to Town being reduced to 10 men. Town being down to 10 spurred Rugby on but good work in the middle from Jake, Sam and John snuffed out any initial threats. However, Rugby then upped the pressure on Town leading to Loughborough conceding a soft goal, 3-1. Town dominated the play for the rest of the game but could not add to their lead. The final whistle finished the game and Town were happy with the 3 points and positives to take into the second half of the season.
