Town Men’s 3rd XI continue to impress with solid home display

MRHA - T2 EAST MIDLANDS 1 LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN MEN’S 3RD XI 4 RAMGARHIA (DERBY) TOWN MEN’S 1ST XI 1

RIDING high after an impressive winning performance last week, the Men’s 3rd XI were back at home to entertain an another promoted side Ramgarhia Men’s 1st XI.

With the home side now settling in and getting used to playing as a team, all thoughts were on another three points.

From the off Town found themselves in an unusual situation in that Ramgarhia were set up to play on the counter only going for a half pitch press. Not used to all this space and time, Town at times forced the ball up through the midfield with indifferent success. Luckily for Town mistakes weren’t being capitalised on by the Ramgarhia, though keeper Jaimin Metcalf did have to make one good save.

After two unsuccessful short corner routines in close succession Town finally converted on their third attempt with captain Pete Hayes doing a trademark turn at the top of the D, and his totally disguised pass finding Jono Griffiths who fired it into the back of the net from close range, 1-0 Town.

Whilst Town pushed for the next goal they weren’t able to generate any clear cut chances as Ramgarhia’s defense held firm and the half finished with Town 1-0, though in reality the game should have been put to bed.

A stern half-time team talk by the captain revitalised Town as they came out playing better hockey and making sure their passes weren’t going through contact. The second goal quickly came as Hayes fired in a hard hit into towards the D. En route it deflected off two of Ramgarhia’s defenders feet (one outside and one inside the D) before a deft but clinical touch by Griffiths sent the ball into the back of the goal. His second of the game and more importantly the second goal Town needed.

Going 2-0 down Ramgarhia abandoned their half court press and pressed higher up the pitch. This resulted in them winning a couple of short corners, one of which hit the post. However, this resulted in more space at front for Town forward’s who now started to create more chances. The third goal came from a ball fired in from Oliver Jones from the left side line across the D where Griffiths deflected it high towards goal, then Kaylan Mistry again deflected it into the back of the net, 3-0 Town.

Ramgarhia for their efforts were rewarded with a goal when a crash ball from the halfway line wasn’t picked up by the Town defensive and landed kindly to their forward who dispatched the ball into the goal.

Town were then down to 10 men after Mark Dalby was awarded a green card for a foul in the D. From the resulting short corner against them, Town were able to get the ball clear. Then on the resulting counter attack, Matthew Horsfall’s solo run from the halfway line out pacing the defense, he calmly went round the keeper and slotted the ball home from the angle to make it 4-1 Town. A Ramgarhia player was also shown a green card for a bad tackle, though Town weren’t able to capitalise on this.

MOM went to Elliott Crocker for his tireless work in midfield.

The win takes Town to fifth place in the table with two wins and a positive goal difference, which after the tough seasons the past few years is a great start to the season.