Better, but it’s still grim for the Luffs

LEICESTERSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE DIVISION ONE LOUGHBOROUGH FC 0 HOLWELL SPORTS RES 5 ANOTHER defeat for The Luffs and a clear defeat but it was marginally a better performance than the previous week and Holwell are one of the high flyers.

A couple of new signings, Malik Mellal and Temi Abbass for the Luffs as manager Gary Hassel works to get the right blend and quality to restore the Loughborough side to a degree of respectability.

The game began with a couple of half chances as Jordan CufflinStableford had a shot blocked for Loughborough while Tallen Burt shot just past the post for Holwell. The Luffs were competing well but after 15 minutes Holwell were given a slice of luck as Kai Biggs-Finney’s free kick looked to be covered by keeper Mellal but it took a wicked deflection of a defender and wrong footed him to make it 1-0.

It was indeed a lucky goal and it gave Holwell the edge as confidence disappeared from the Loughborough defence and a mix-up at the back gave Morgan Enoux a tap in that made it 2-0.

The Luffs rallied and put some pressure on the Holwell defence. Jack Crabtree was brought down on the edge of the area and CufflinStableford’s free kick skimmed the crossbar while Charles Heggs shot just past the post.

The Loughborough defence dithered as half time approached and Tailen Burt made it 3-0.

The second half began with Holwell on the attack, keeper Mellal was down quickly to stop one attack and Biggs-Finney shot just wide. Agbor Sobeh caught one well which went just wide as Loughborough looked for the break that could restore their belief, but it wasn’t to be. The Loughborough keeper made a bloomer for the fourth goal as Holwell’s Shaun Smith tapped in a empty net to make it four. Heads didn’t go down it has to be said and in many ways this was a fighting defeat for The Luffs and they certainly didn’t deserve the fifth goal from Brooke Isherwood.

Saturday sees The Luffs at home against Barlestone, one of the teams they could catch if only they could register a couple of wins. Kick-off at 2pm.