Luffs made to pay the price for their defensive errors

Leicestershire Senior League Division Two

LOUGHBOROUGH FC 1 ROTHLEY IMPERIAL 3

A LEAGUE defeat for The Luffs against Rothley Imperial but they ended this game wondering how it got away looking the better team for long periods of the game, the answer was a couple of defensive lapses and it was gone.

The Loughborough side were in the lead after five minutes with Rothley expecting the easy ride they had in the away game but credit the Luffs side they are made of sterner stuff these days as Agbor Sobey scored the goal from close range latching onto a low cross from Brierley.

Having woken up to the challenge Rothley’s Ben Hatterley blasted one over the bar from close range but the Luffs were good for their lead but after 15 minutes they were struck with a serious setback as keeper Matt Hirst limped off and had to be replaced with an outfield player.

Rothley pushed forward but stand in keeper Owen Wesson made a good save with his feet. The visitors won a couple of free kicks and following a period pressure Zac Ginvert equalised from a corner. The Luffs pushed for a second goal but Rothley defended doggedly and it remained 1-1 at half time.

The second half began badly for the Loughborough side, just not concentrating at the start of the half and Kyle Oakes put his team in the lead from close range. From then on The Luffs livened up and seriously went looking for the equaliser forcing Rothley onto the back foot but the goal just wouldn’t come.

Dylan Henderson had a shot deflected wide and Tolu Abbass shot just past the post. Manager Adam Wesson brought on his substitutes and his team went for it, Cyrus Brierley should have levelled the scores but his shot went well high and wide.

In the dying stages Loughborough were just overcommitted and Zac Ginvert broke away and made it 3-1.

Saturday sees the Luffs travelling to Sileby Town and despite the defeat spirits are high and look forward to another local opposition.