LTHC Men’s 2nd XI 2 at Leek Men’s 2nd XI 5
MRHA T1 – Midlands 2
Saturday 26th January 2019
Loughborough travelled to Leek who have been sitting in the lower half of the table but have gained some good results at home. Town knew that they had to keep the momentum after a strong result last week.
The game started on time and on a relatively warm day for Leek. It was Leek who started the stronger team with them being first to ball on many occasions and their midfield play controlling a lot of the game. It was Town who managed to get an early goal, with some good passing resulting in the ball being played into Hatley who finished calmly from the top. However, the tone was set when the umpires judged the ball not to have gone in. Fortunately the goal was allowed but the lead was only for a limited time as Leek played some good one touch hockey from the halfway line to score a good equaliser. Leek then scored another shortly after with poor marking from Town players who hadn’t quite arrived.
Half time came and some changes resulted in Town starting well, with them winning a short corner after Henderson clarified the rules with one of the Leek defenders and the umpire. Up stepped Hatley scoring his second to equalise. Town continued to dominate and had two chances cleared off the line which could have closed out the game, but Leek again passed through the Town team and scored a third.
Town continued to push for that equalising goal but struggled to create too much. Young Sign continued to walk through players and man of the match Harrison also troubled Leek but the team couldn’t get a goal. Leek then scored their fourth after Town stopped playing with the ball crossing the base-line, but the umpire deemed it being in play and that left a tap in for the Leek forward. With town down to 10 men, Leek scored off a free hit again due to players not being marked.
On another day it could have been Town’s day if fortune gone their way but Town must improve and get back to their winning performances as they continue for promotion. Fortunately results went their way which leaves Town 2 points clear in 4th. Next week is a home game vs Kalsa which will test the Town’s character, and hopefully with reflection and hard work in the week will see Town bounce back.
