LTHC Men’s 1st XI 2 vs Barford Tigers 4
England Hockey League Conference Midlands
Loughborough Town 1s welcomed Barford Tigers to Loughborough University on a historic day for the club in their first home National League game.
A warm sunny day was rewarded with an incredibly bright start by Town. An attack down the left from David Henderson split the away side’s defence allowing him to slip it inside to Ryan Day who finished past the on rushing keeper.
A second Town attack two minutes later, brought a penalty corner. Day brought a very good save out of the Tigers’ keeper. However, Barford went down Town’s end and despite Nick Morris winning the ball back, he proceeded to give the ball away in the 25 which resulted in a Barford penalty corner goal to level the score.
Five minutes later, a rough Morris tackle in the D resulted in a green card for him and Barford’s second penalty corner goal through the Town keeper’s legs.
An even second quarter commenced but unfortunately another Morris mistake led to Tigers winning the ball in the 25, which Barford’s forward finished well in the far corner. The away side taking a 3-1 half time lead.
The second half was incredibly even again, Barford scoring on a quick counter attack and Town getting a consolation penalty stroke, converted by Day, with five minutes to go.
A disappointing day for Town who, for the second week, felt the result didn’t really reflect the performance on the day. So, Town move onto next week when they travel away to St Albans still looking for their first points this season.
LTHC Men’s 5th XI 7 vs West Bridgford 7th XI 0
Midlands Men’s Division 9 North East
Loughborough Town Men’s 5s played their first game of the season at home looking to build on an impressive performance the week before. Town started the game well playing some really good hockey and pinning West Bridgford in their own half. The breakthrough game after captain Ian Morrissey scored his first of the season. After everyone stopped playing thinking the umpire was going to blow for a penalty corner, when in fact he was playing advantage. The score-line was doubled when Ethan Dalby pounced on a loose ball to the left of the goal and put the ball past the keeper. Town went into half-time with a comfortable 3-0, with Lex Cook adding the third.
Town started the second half not as strong as they ended the first half losing a bit of structure which let West Bridgford back into the game. However, Town’s defence stood firm not letting West Bridgford have any meaningful attacks. Town then got their structure back and added a fourth with Dalby’s second of the game. Charlie Lemmon scored to add to his player of the match performance shooting a deceptively slow shoot from the top left of the D, which the keeper totally missed judged his kick, with the ball rolling under his foot into the goal. Morrissey then added his second of the day and then Jack Brierley finished the scoring slotting in from close range, for his first of the season, and ending the scoring at 7-0.
Next week Town travel to Belper looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season.
