LTHC Men’s 1st XI 0 vs Lichfield Men’s 1st XI 3
MRHA T1 – Midlands Premier
Saturday 16th March 2019
Loughborough Town 1st XI took on Lichfield 1st XI at the Loughborough University, looking to pick themselves up following their disappointing capitulation the week before against Barton. Whilst town were without the dependable Matt Proctor and prolific goal threat Sam Curd, Tom Lawrie returned and dropped in at full-back.
Town were determined to start strongly and avoid giving away any early goals. Town looked well organised at the back and played the ball around patiently waiting for opportunities to break early. Both teams adopted a high press at the start of the match, hoping to force errors from their opponents. Unfortunately it was Town who fell behind, having given the ball away cheaply just outside their 23 and Lichfield were able to capitalise on some poor defending. Despite the setback Town continued to play well and got to half time only 1-0 down with all to play for in the second half.
Town sought to keep things tight at the start of the second half and hit Lichfield on the counter attack. It was on one of Town’s promising attacks that Lichfield turned the ball over and broke away down Town’s left; Town failed to defend the circle and the Lichfield winger crossed the ball for a relatively easy tap in as the defence failed to pick up their players.
From that moment on Town were chasing the game and whilst they had multiple circle penetrations, they were unable to convert their chances. Lichfield went on to get a third goal from a well executed short corner routine late in the game, making the final score 3-0.
In their final two games of the season Town need to start to convert some of the many chances they create; including short corners. Having earned four short corners to Lichfield’s one, they are clearly competing in most areas of the game other than their shot conversion. Next week sees Town travel to Stourport; a team that sit just above them in the League, albeit with a significantly better points total for their penultimate game of the season. Town will be looking to return with a share, if not all of the points. Town expect to have the prolific Sam Curd back in their squad who will be looking to add to the three goals that he scored away at Barton.
Nick Morris (Captain) [right] in defensive duties © Mandy Mercer
More pictures from the match can be viewed in the 2018 / 2019 Season Photo Gallery.
