Loughborough 2s vs. Nottingham Trent 1s – Midland 1A
The 2nd team was at home taking on Nottingham Trent 1s who were still looking for their first game of the season, after losing to the newly promoted Worcester. The 2s started with a 4-3-3 system, which suited their fluid playing style. Will Worthington put them ahead during the 1st half when he superbly rounded the keeper and slotted home to give the 2s a deserved lead. Worthington had been shifted to left wing from his usual left back position and he was reaping the benefits when he doubled his tally during the 2nd half after Jacob lever's cross.
At 2-0 the 2s were looking relatively comfortable and were keeping the ball well, however Trent were served a lifeline after a 30 yard deflected shot left 2s goalkeeper Jake Weakes no chance. The final fifteen minutes were mostly played inside Loughborough's half with Trent pushing for the final goal. Loughborough, however, managed to hold out and keep their 100% record for the season and finished the day top of BUCS Midland Alliance 1A.
Loughborough 3s vs. Staffordshire 1s – Midland 2A
This has been a common fixture over the last three years of the BUCS Midland 2A league and has always proven to be a close game with both sides winning their home fixtures last year. The 3s struggled to cope with the physical and organised Staffordshire 1s during the first half and went 1-0 down.
The 3s came out for the 2nd half a different team and began to probe the Staffs defence and create chances. They deservedly levelled after Callum Leslie-Draper scored a superb goal, which left the Staffs keeper motionless. Shortly after Leslie- Draper then went on and won himself a penalty which he took himself and scored, that being his 3rd in just two games. Similar to the 2s game, the 3s let off towards the end but unfortunately could not hold out against the ever pressing Staffs who leveled after a strike from 25 yards into the bottom corner. This will be a game the 3s felt like they could have won, but there were many positives to take from the game and the 3s will be looking forward to their cup game against Leicester 1s next Wednesday
Loughborough 4s vs. Oxford Brookes 1s – Midland 2A
Loughborough 4s were in buoyant mood after their well deserved point against the Loughborough 3rd team last week and travelled to newly promoted Oxford Brookes. The 4s started well and looked the better side from kick off; Oxford Brookes played a somewhat Stoke City-esque style and looked for the head of their 6ft 5 striker at every possible opportunity. Tom Read gave the 4s the lead with a superb free kick from 25 yards out into the top left hand corner, despite it taking a knick off the 4s striker Luke Griffiths who still tried to claim the goal. Just five minutes later, Jamie Williams put in a delicious cross for Andrew Kenny who nodded in for his 1st goal for the club. Just before half time, Luke Griffiths got brought down in the box while trying to turn, Tom Read then got his second of the day by firing the penalty into the top left hand corner.
3-0 at half time the 4s were looking good but knew Oxford Brooke would come out with nothing to lose and they did by putting the 4s under severe pressure for the first 10 minutes of the second half. However, it was actually Loughborough who scored next on the breakaway with Luke Griffiths getting a deserved goal after good work by Tom Read down the right. Oxford Brookes then scored two both from free kicks after lax marking from the 4s. A 2-4 away win was a great result for the 4s and puts them joint 2nd in the table with Staffordshire 1s
