CLC come out on top in ‘derby’ encounter

ASHBY 1ST XI 1 COALVILLE & LOUGHBOROUGH CARILLON 1ST XI 2 THE MEN’S 1st XI took on local rivals Ashby 1st XI on Saturday keen to bring a losing run to an end. While results have not been the best, the squad were reminded that four of the five defeats have come against the top four teams in the division.

It was a cagey beginning to the game as both teams looked to settle, Ashby having the first-half chances but seeing them snuffed out by the CLC defensive formation. CLC were dangerous on the break and it was from one of those that they took the lead. A turnover by right half Gaz Gamble was fed to Danny Harwood who drove on the line before finding Ruaidhri Maguire on the cut back to open the scoring.

Ashby had a few efforts going forward which required the intervention of Johnny Hie to keep the scores level. However, on the half-time whistle a goal-bound shot was unfortunately diverted into the player on the line giving the home side a penalty flick which they duly converted to level the scores.

A calm atmosphere at half-time gave CLC confidence in the second half that they would be the team to go on and win the game. The defensive line of Gamble, Alex Dennett, Adam Barnett and Adam Lloyd dealt comfortably with the high Ashby forwards giving no opportunities for them to take the lead. With man of the match Tommy Wright pulling the strings in midfield, Ashby were under pressure for the majority of the half.

CLC finally got their reward when Danny Harwood flicked home a short corner to give CLC a 2-1 lead the never gave up despite a late charge by the hosts.

The Men’s 2nd XI took the short trip to the city of Leicester to face Westleigh 2nd XI. With Westleigh currently lower down the table, a strong performance from a strong team would no doubt do the job for the promotion hunting visitors. In a competitive fixture this proved to be the case as CLC were able to keep Westleigh at arm’s length throughout. The final score was a comfortable 5-2 victory with a hat-trick from James Whyte and further goals from Sam Edwards and Fin Martin.

Looking for more points to move up the table and put any concerns of relegation behind them were the Men’s 3rd XI who welcomed second placed Burton 3rd XI. The improving 3rd team were not daunted by the task and went toe to toe with their high placed opponents. Following a good end to end game, CLC came out on top 3-2, with two goals from Charlie Haswell and a customary effort from Ben Mugglestone, the win was aided by the sending off of the visitor’s captain for dissent. The Men’s 4th XI rounded out an undefeated day for the men’s section by drawing against visitors Coventry and North Warwick 3rd XI. The only goal is this game coming from Alex Marriott.

Ladies 1st XI maintained their outside chance of promotion with a professional 2-0 victory over Towcester 3rd XI, Lucy Thompson and Georgia Relf with the goals. They play against Earls Barton next week in a rearranged game. There was also only one mixed game this week with Hermitage winning 1-0 against Syston, A Marriott with the goal.