Luffs boss rings the changes as side slips to home defeat
LEICESTERSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE DIVISION ONE LOUGHBOROUGH FC 0
COUNTY HALL 1 THE LUFFS were back in action on Saturday after two weeks without a game and manager Paul Campbell rang the changes with five new faces and despite going down to third place County hall by a single goal it was a much improved performance from his side.
It was the early part of the game as the new faces got to know each other that gave the Loughborough side a few problems as they absorbed a series of corners from the visitors.
It took 10 minutes but County Hall finally penetrated the Loughborough defence and Aaron Meadley gave keeper Harry Burton no chance with a wicked shot into the top corner.
From then on The Luffs looked the better side and an experience County Hall side looked to settle for a one goal lead.
Kyle Dawes shot just over for Loughborough and a free kick on the edge saw Ben Haywood shoot just over the bar. County Hall won a similar free kick and Liam O’Connor hit it high and wide.
For the rest of the half The Luffs pushed their visitors back and a couple of half chance might have brought the equalizer as Jordan Crossland shot just wide and new man Joe Collin brought a good save from keeper Dan Manley with a close range header.
The second half consisted of Loughborough searching for the equalizer and County Hall running down the clock which was a credit to the home side who over the years have had precious little return from games against the local government team.
Haywood saw another penalty edge free kick go to waste and when Aaron Dawes was in full flight he was brought down unceremoniously, a free kick at a tight angle saw keeper Manley palm the ball to safety.
In a rare County Hall attack keeper Burton made a double save, quickly putting his team back on the front foot wsith new players Christian Davis at full back and Femi Ojo up front being particularly impressive for The Luffs.
In the end the visitors saw the game out with a few sighs of relief at the end having held their narrow lead for most of the game but Loughborough look a better side with their new men and travel next Saturday to the Leicester side Magna, another of the high fliers but they will travel with a renewed confidence after this performance.