Lufffs lose to relegation rivals at home

LEICESTERSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE DIVISION ONE LOUGHBOROUGH FC 0 BARLESTONE ST GILES 3 THE LUFFS had an honourable defeat in mid-week away against Allexton and Newparks the Premier division leaders in the Beacon Cup but Saturday was not as impressive against fellow basement team Barlestone at The Drome.

If the Loughborough side are to avoid relegation this game was crucial but it lacked the commitment needed, manager Gary Hussey found himself with a skeleton squad with a number of absentees from the promising midweek squad.

The Luffs began the game well enough and won a couple of free kicks but free kick specialist Jordan Cufflin-Stableford couldn’t get his kicks past the Barlestone defensive wall. James Pye had a shot tipped over by the Loughborough keeper Joe Brady while Charles Heggs shot just wide for the home side as honours were even in these early stages. Heggs was brought down in the area but no penalty ensued and Mayukin Okunsanya was through on goal but the Barlestone keeper Luke Hodgson got the better of the encounter.

As half time approached neither team looke caple of finding the net but Barlestone had a stroke of good fortune as the Loughborough defender Dan Arnold stuck out a boot and the ball was deflected into the net. Barlestone took advantage of their good fortune and won a penalty but keeper Brady pushed the ball onto the post and it remained 1-0 at half time.

In the second half the rains came down and the game disintegrated accordingly Brady tipped one over for Loughborough but there was little threat to the visitors goal. Barlestone’s second goal was equally un expected as Terry Godfreys free kick from distance sailed over keeper Bradys head and it was 2-0 with the Loughborough side looking unable to do anything about it. It couldn’t get much worse but it did, the Barlestone keeper launched his kick down field, the Louhborough defence were caught square and Haydon Boam ran through to make it 3-0.