LUFFS 1 KIRBY MUXLOE 1 (25/10/03) Luffs win 4-2 on pens LOUGHBOROUGH made hard work of this one against the Premier Division Leicestershire Senior League Club Kirby Muxloe but when it came to the crunch The Luffs made short work of the penalties. At times Loughborough gave Kirby Muxloe far too much possession but in the end the message rang out loud and clear we are only going to give you one goal and we can match that. Loughborough began well and from the kick off Kris Richardson tested the Kirby keeper Vince Harrison with a low shot. But from then on Kirby had good spells of possession and Loughborough who defended well during this period gave the ball away far too easily. No suprise then when Kirby took the lead, Gavin Pugh delivered the cross and Sean Murtha headed it in, it was as simple as that. It seems these days the Loughborough side never really get going until they are a goal down and in this invidious position they got their act together and gave Kirby something to think about. Adam Branigan saw his low cross sliced out of play by a Kirby defender and Ian Stevenson hit a free kick just wide of the mark. Late in the half Kirby were once again on the ascendancy with Carl Springthorpe clearing under pressure while Gavin Pugh proved a handful for the Loughborough defence and might have made it two nil bit keeper Paul Springthorpe narrowed his angles well and the shot found the side netting. The second half was a more evenly fought battle in the early stages, Kirby were first to show whipping one past the post and Lee Connolly looped a header over the bar. But Loughborough struck the crucial blow in this half as Daniel Brewer hit a vicious high cross which keeper Harrison couldn't handle and it crossed the line at the back post to make it level pegging. It was just the tonic the Loughborough side needed, they had took the best the Senior League side could throw at them and handled it well and it was time to look for a winner. Kris Richardson combined well with Daniel Brewer who was tackled as he shaped to shoot and for the first time The Luffs began to string a few passes together presenting Branigan with an opportunity on goal but his shot was wild. Paul Springthorpe saved from Jamie Masons header while at the other end Harrison struggled to collect a telling cross from Matt Watkiss. Towards the end of normal time Kirby had good possession but lacked the penetration to really trouble a very impressive Loughborough defensive lineup. Extra time reflected the ninety minutes, the only real chance were in the second period, Kirby had a chance through Gavin Pugh and Paul Gunn found the side netting with a header for Loughborough and it went into penalties. Loughborough went first and Mark Edwards made no mistake (2-1), Vince Harrison went first for Kirby (keeper against keeper) and made no mistake (2-2). Ian Stevenson went second for Loughborough and Vince Harrison saved (2-2) and Paul Shilton went second for Kirby and Paul Springthorpe saved (2-2) Daniel Brailsford went third for Loughborough, no mistake (3-2) and Andy Payne went third for Kirby and Paul Springthorpe saved (3-2) Paul Gunn went fourth for Loughborough, no mistake (4-2) and Gary Moult went fourth for Kirby and Paul Springthorpe saved again (4-2) and all over bar the celebrations. And celebrations there were as keeper Paul Springthorpe disappeared under and pile of his appreciative team mates, it has been a tough time for The Luffs recently and the relief was there to be seen. It is back to the bread and butter this Saturday away at Burntwood Town (Kick Off 2.00 PM) the scene of that first Midland Combination victory some five seasons ago and there is a lot of work to be done on the league position this season for The Luffs. TEAM:  Paul SPRINGTHORPE, Adam BARRIGAN, Ian STEVENSON, Carl SPRINGTHORPE, Danny BRAILSFORD, Mark EDWARDS, Kris RICHARDSON, George JONES, Paul GUNN, Danny CORBINZOLU, Danny BREWER SUBS:  BROWN, Adam LOCKER, Matt WATKISS SCORERS:  Danny BREWER ATT: N/A HT: 0-1  FT: 1-1