LTHC Men’s 1st XI 2 at Leek Men’s 1st XI 1
MRHA T1 – Midlands Premier
Loughborough Town Men’s 1st XI travelled to Leek for the first game of the season on yet another wet and miserable day.
Leek started the game faster putting Town under early pressure but Town grew into the game and won a penalty corner mid-way through the first half which was dispatched by Johnstone into the bottom left corner. The half ended with Town dominating and putting the home side under pressure.
The second half continued how the first finished and it wasn’t long until Town doubled their lead from a bouncing ball that was squeezed in at the near post by Capel. Leek hit straight back with a cross off the base line and a deflection at the back post. Town held out for a 2-1 win, the perfect start to the season.
Next week is a local derby with Town entertaining Loughborough Students 2nd XI at home. POTM: James Lewis
LTHC Men’s 3rd XI 1 at University of Warwick Men’s 1st XI 0
MRHA T3 – South East Midlands Premier
After the disappointment of last season’s regulation, Loughborough Town Men’s 3rd XI opened up their league campaign against University of Warwick Men’s 3rd XI. Town, missing a couple of regular players fielded a side who hadn’t played together before, along with debutante Kyran Patel.
Town started the game well moving the ball around, creating some decent chances with Patel and Matt Horsfall having the best of them. Warwick did have some sustained pressure near the end of the first half but some great saves from keeper Jaimin Metcalf kept the half time score at 0-0.
Knowing that patience was the key, Town continued to press for a goal, with Horsfall having a great chance which just sailed over the crossbar after a through ball from Freddie Pass.
Warwick then had a period of constant pressure where Town just couldn’t clear the ball. This enabled Warwick to have some really good chances on goal, with Metcalf making some excellent saves to keep the game scoreless.
In the dying minutes Town worked the ball up the field on the right and Dan Smith sent a through ball to Pass who went through on goal. With the ball slightly ahead of him he dived connecting with it on his reverse which beat the keeper near post. Town celebrated knowing that it must be the game winner, of which it was, 1-0 win to the visitors. Next week Town are at home to Leicester Westleigh 1st XI. POTG: Jaimin Metcalf
LTHC Men’s 5th XI 6 at Market Harborough Men’s 3rd XI 1
MRHA T3 – South East 3
Loughborough Men’s Town’s 5th XI got their season off to a great start with a well deserved 6 – 1 win away against an experienced Market Harborough side. After conceding an early goal from a penalty corner, Town quickly began to take control from the middle of the park. Two quick fire goals from Ian Morrisey put Town on top.
From this point forward a win for Town was never in doubt. Jack Brierley carried on from where he left off last season, completing his first ever hat trick in the second half, with a deft touch after some great work down the right hand side of the pitch.
Town’s win was rounded off by a neat finish from Andrew Egles after good play from Sam Oram. On this form Town are confident of a follow up win in their next game at home against Tamworth 3rd XI.
