Home defeat for Town 2nd XI

LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN 2ND XI 1 OLTON & WEST WARWICK 2ND XI 2

WITH the end of the season in sight, Loughborough’s last home game saw them take on a strong Olton & West Warwick side.

Town came into this game with an impressive run of form, seven games unbeaten. It was however Olton who started the game the strongest with a number of swift attacks.

As the half went on Town began to settle and create a few chances in front of Olton’s goal, Sam Curd missing Town’s best chance. With the game opening up Olton were awarded a penalty corner which they converted after man of the match, Town’s keeper Mark Gamlyn pulled of a great save only to be beaten by the second shot.

As the half went on Town gained more possession which forced Olton to use the aerial approach to attack, which was soaked up by Town’s brilliant defence of Nick Murdock, David Ottewell, Sam Stowe and Tom Marriot. With the second half underway, Town came out of the blocks well, forcing Olton’s keeper into a string of good saves.

Some great runs on the ball from Adam Lamb and Pete Fitton created a few half chances only for Town’s forwards failing to be ruthlessly stopped by a solid Olton defence.

Midway through the second half, Olton once again created a number of good chances which Mark Gamlyn dealt with well.

Town pressed for the equaliser only for Olton to break forward and score again with a well worked goal.

With the game now into the final 15 minutes Town had nothing to lose, with players flying forward at every opportunity to help the attacks.

As the time ticked by, the Olton keeper was called into action to make a string of good saves.

It was Town’s support striker Sam Curd who found the net slotting home from a rebound.

With the home side back in the game tempers started to fray, with captain Gavin Guest having to be restrained and lucky not to see yellow.

A number of penalty corners were missed by Town in the final minutes of the game with the home side losing narrowly.

The game ended with Olton taking all three points leaving newly promoted Town in a well-deserved mid-table and safe in the league for another season.

Town’s final game is away against Birmingham University who sit fourth in the league.