LTHC Men’s 3rd XI 1 at Melton Men’s 1st XI 13
MRHA T2 – East Midlands 1
Saturday 18th January 2020
Loughborough Town 3rd XI made the short trip east to play 4th place Melton 1st XI looking to come away with a better result than in the home fixture.
Starting with the bare 11 players Town knew they had to play a structured patient game to conserve energy. Having the ball to start the game Town started well retaining the ball and moving it around well. When Melton did gain possession Town defended well keeping the home side from getting anything of quality chances in the D.
However, the home side eventually made the breakthrough after ten minutes with a well worked move. 1-0 soon became 3-0 within a few minutes as Melton capitalised on their chances. The fourth soon followed and Town had just switched off. Halftime couldn’t come soon enough though the home side ruthlessly scored another four goals.
8-0 down at halftime and to say not one of Town’s best first half performances, which was reflected in the halftime talk by Captain Rory Cook.
The second half started with Town having to overcome another obstacle as they went down to ten men due to injury.
Trying to restrict any more goals Town went to a half court press which worked at times. Melton continued to move the ball around patiently looking to capitalise on playing against ten, which they were rewarded another five times.
Not to be shut out, Town did score a consolation goal when from a short corner Ollie Jephcott fired from top of the D, through the keepers legs.
The game ended 13-1 and a game Town will want to forget quickly and move onto next week’s game.
Man of the match went to Chris Brealey, though special mention to Jaimin Metcalf who made some fine saves in goal.
