LTHC Men’s 2nd XI 2 at Olton & West Warwick Men’s 2nd XI 5
MRHA T1 – Midlands 2
Saturday 16th November 2019
Town traveled to Olton this weekend, with breaking their recent run of poor form and poor results in mind.
It was a high flying Olton who opened the scoring, however, as Town switched off at the back and allowed Olton overload the Loughborough defence. Town fought back, and were the better team for the following 20 minutes, earning a deserved equaliser. George Gutteridge slotting home from close range following some good forward link up play, involving a clever lead by Guest and a jinking run by Megicks.
Town switched off again just before half time to allow Olton to score again from a penalty corner. 2-1 to the home side seemed harsh on Loughborough and Captain Adam Lamb was much happier than in recent weeks after the first 35 minutes.
Town started the second half well but it was Olton again who scored again to make it 3-1. Keeper Dhutia unlucky to lose his footing, preventing him from saving the ‘flick’. Another uncharacteristic mistake from Johnston saw Olton win the ball on the 25 and go 4-1 up.
The umpires managed the game well up to this point but confusion over a decision in the corner lead to a heated finish to the game. The umpires responded by producing a flurry of cards. Firstly for Chiswell, then for one for Olton who picked up a yellow and green in quick succession allowing Town to dominate play again.
Midfielders Lamb and Henderson produced a cutting one-two through the middle to allow Henderson into the D, to fire backhand across goal, for forward Hatley to finish smartly. The score 4-2 lasted briefly as Olton extended their lead again shortly after for the score to finish 5-2.
The game’s controversy was not over however, as another Olton player was green carded for a foul on Henderson who was deemed to respond by swinging his stick at the Olton player. A penalty stroke was awarded to Olton shortly after, only for the decision to be overturned and the would-be flick taker joining Henderson in the dugout for descent.
Not the result Captain Lamb wanted but certainly a performance which will lift the team ahead of a string of winnable fixtures.
