Loughborough University 1 Brocton 0

Loughborough showed why they are vying for top spot in the league with a well organised and hard working display which Brocton simply could not penetrate,               despite having a good share of the attacking play.

The home side belied the difference in standing in the league of the two sides by having the better of early exchanges in which both defences had the measure of their opponents attacks.

It was ironic that just as Brocton had the one clear opening which their early play had earned, a break from the back led to Loughborough taking a lead which they never relinquished. The Brocton attack began from the back with Andy Chandler taking a pass infield from the right and switching the ball to the left flank. From there it was Ashley Phillips found Jermaine Bowen and Bowen managed to make room for a powerful shot which Loughboroungh keeper David Coombes did well to parry. Phillips pounced on the rebound, but his effort was bravely blocked. The ever willing Steve Blenkinsop raced to Loughborough’s right flank to mount a swift counter attack and his early cross was met by Rob Eomans, who was forced to turn away from goal before getting in a sharp shot. Matt Sargeant emulated his Loughborough counterpart, beating away the effort, but Lawrence Hale’s return was too strong and gave the visitors their lead.

In the few minutes after that strike, Loughborough twice had better opportunities to score, but shot first wide and then tamely before Brocton rallied.

In the second period, Brocton produced the majority of the attacking threat, but were kept largely at arms length and increasingly forced to shoot from distance. Substitute Jonathan Hodnett, making his debut as substitute, could have snatched an equaliser, but for a brave save at his feet by a keeper risking conceding a penalty if he had missed timed by a fraction and then Gary Fife jinked close to the edge of the box before releasing Hodnett once more but this time the final shot cleared the bar.

Manager Dave Berks can be pleased with his team in matching Loughborough in most departments and the youngsters Ashley Phillips and Charlie Jones as well as Hodnett, could be satisfied with their encouraging debuts.