Ratcliff earns Town draw in eight goal epic

LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN

MEN’S 1ST XI 4 BARTON MEN’S 1ST XI 4 TOWN were looking to bounce back against a dogged Barton side after a tough defeat to Harborne the previous week.

Early frantic exchanges created a very open game right from the start with chances being created by both sides.

After 16 minutes Town took the lead after some outstanding link up play between Proctor, Randall and Godwin presented Slaney with the ball at the top of the oppositions ‘D’. No mistake was made with Slaney tomahawking in to the bottom corner.

However Barton were quick to respond after some sloppy defensive play by quickly racing in to a 3–1 lead inside 10 minutes.

Continual movement by Godwin, Ratcliff and Morris created Town’s second goal with club captain Matt Parry deflecting in from close range.

With two minutes of the half remaining Loughborough drew level with a penalty stroke calmly dispatched by top scorer Bowden.

The second half saw more tactical prowess applied by the home side, however a breakaway goal saw Town 4-3 down.

For the final 20 minutes it was all one way traffic. With the work rate of France, Murdoch and debutant Thomas on the flanks, space was created for Whiting and Sign to expose.

With several missed chances, it looked like an undeserved defeat was on the cards, but with five minues left on the clock Town grabbed a much deserved equaliser.

A quick ball from playmaker Proctor found Whiting out wide on the left wing.

A trademark reverse pass in to the danger area allowed Ratcliff to score with a one handed deflection with the game finishing 4-4 at the final whistle.