Relegation fears continue for The Luffs after defeat

LEICESTERSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE DIVISION ONE ANSTEY TOWN 3 LOUGHBOROUGH FC 0

IT DOESN’T get much worse for The Luffs as they battle for survival second from the bottom of the division with another away defeat, this time at Anstey Town.

The Loughborough side looked a bit better than the previous week but not enough to trouble an established Anstey team with defenders Adam Watson and Ben Arnold having a lot to do in the early stages. Anstey’s Joshua Parker tested the Loughborough keeper Joseph Brady as did Mark Brown, who went on to hit the bar.

After a not too comfortable half an hour for The Luffs, Anstey took the lead, a low cross found Harry Burton at the back post for a simple tap in.

Loughborough responded as Marco Dyens should have levelled the scores but his shot hit the post and rebounded to safety. Josh Parker tested keeper Dyens again but Agbor Sobeh worked a shot just past the post for The Luffs as the game levelled out. Loughborough did look good going forward but it didn’t happen often enough to really trouble the Anstey defence.

As half time approached Parker let fly from distance and it flew into the top corner, there was not stopping this one and The Luffs went in two down.

The second half began well as Owen Brailsford left his marker for dead to see a good save from the Anstey keeper James Hughes but the game settled into a stalemate before the referee made his mark.

Two Loughborough players were sent to the sin bin and for fifteen minutes they played the game with just nine men.

To be fair The Luffs didn’t do too badly with nine men, Anstey certainly could not break them down during this period of play.

Back to full strength the referee red carded defender Adam Watson who had done a sterling job for Loughborough at the back and Anstey took advantage of his absence and Jacob Ballard made it three, there was time enough for Daniel Quittenton to blast a penalty wide for Anstey to end a disappointing afternoon.

Saturday sees The Luffs return to The Drome against Holwell Sports and a chance to enjoy a decent playing surface again, kick-off 2pm.