Loughborough put their last two disappointing results behind them to step up and take control against Warwick, hitting the backboard an impressive six times.
Despite drawing the short straw and ending up on the EHB rubbercrumb, the Loughborough girls seemed as though they had a point to prove spending the majority of the game in their oppositions half, taking multiple changes to increase the scoreline.
From the offset, bottom of the BUCS league Warwick, appeared to be on the back foot after complaining about the unreliable and poor rubber crumb conditions for hockey.
Loughborough however, played neat little pass and move sequences between the Warwick defence finding space with ease. The first goal was inevitable and came in the form of poor defence in the ‘D’ by the Warwick girls and a dominant Loughborough force, which saw the ball creep past the goalkeeper and onto the backboard.
With the score at a defendable 1-0 Loughborough remained vigilant for opportunities in the Blue’s 16’. A ball taken on the foot of a Warwick defender in the ‘D’ left them defending a perfectly constructed short corner, which was neatly converted by substitute Thea Franklin.
A number of Warwick injuries became prevalent during the course of the first half with a number of girls coming off and reaching for the much demanded ice packs. Loughborough’s rampage was far from over as a powerfully struck ball across the front of the goal mouth was tapped in by Franklin, racking up a second mark on the score sheet for her. A further goal before half time by a late substitution left it at 4-0 with the home team portraying their class.
Warwick appeared to be livelier as the second half got underway. They harboured a defensive ethos which saw Loughborough unable to penetrate the Blue’s defence for a solid twenty minutes. A glimmer of hope from Warwick came in the form of a short corner handed out by a Loughborough foot foul in the ‘D’. Despite an excellent strike towards the left hand bottom corner, keeper Lucy Watson had her posts covered and cleared with ease.
Loughborough’s goal tally increased further from a Warwick counter attack. A reverse stick strike from the edge of the ‘D’ made it a punishing 5-0, with a further drag flick from a short corner making the final demolition 6-0, leaving Warwick lonely at the bottom of the league for the third week.
Loughborough 2’s will now face local rivals Nottingham Trent 1’s on the 16th November at the Clifton Astroturf.
