So close again to their first victory

LEICESTERSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE DIVISION ONE LOUGHBOROUGH FC 1 KIRBY MUXLOE RES 1 AFTER two weeks layoff The Luffs renewed their good form on a roll with a fighting draw against one of the better teams in the league, but the same old story, how close they were to their first victory leading by a first half goal with fifteen minutes to go as Kirby Muxloe scrambled an equalizer.

Two new signing for the Luffs on Saturday, Brian Bubi and Ibraham Bogere-Segirinya, two ninetenn year olds and a good contribution they made to the day’s activities. The Luffs have added Paul Holmes to their coaching staff and his presence is beginning to be felt while Paul Izzard takes the reigns as first team manager with Alan Shipley stepping down with family commitments.

The pitch at The Drome looks a bit rough these days but credit these two teams for putting on an entertaining game, the Loughborough keeper Brandon Holgate was first into action stopping Kirby’s striker Fidele Kassindi in full flight but the home side soon picked up the pace of the game and forced the visitor back. Loughborough’s Earl Atat showed a delightful bit of skill to get past his marker and shot just past the post. The new man Segirinya was next to show and the Kirby keeper Drew Lillyman had to be on his toes to save the shot.

Kirby has their moment with Ryan Black testing keeper Holgate, but it has to be a bit special to beat the Loughborough keeper these days. Loughborough were looking good for a goal with some penetrating runs but the goal came from an unusual position and you won’t see many of these at The Drome. Captain Jack Godkin was on the half way line when he spotted keeper Lillyman off his line, and dipped a remarkable shot over his head and The Luffs were on their way. What a goal does for a team’s confidence, The Luffs were actively looking for another as the half drew to a close at 1-0.

Kirby Muxloe came out for the second half prepared to make a game of it and The Luffs were obliged to apply themselves to defending their narrow lead. The pressure eventually paid off for the visitors and they achieved it by shear pressure as Liam Burden forced the ball into the net at the far post after a goalmouth scramble. At 1-1 there was nothing much to choose between these two teams but in the later stages it was The Luffs looking for the winning goal and they might well have got it.

Nicholas Ebede went clear on the Kirby goal but shot just wide but the home camp were up in arms as Captain Jack Godkin was clear on goal only to be unceremoniously brought down from behind just outside the area. Godkin got up and delivered the free kick and Dan Arnold headed just wide. Kirby won a free kick on the edge of the area in the ninety fifth minute taken by Burden but scrambled away by the Luffs defence, it would have been an injustice if it resulted in a defeat but another point for ther Loughborough side , these are indeed halcyon days.