RATBY 0 LUFFS 4 (03/11/01) THE LOUGHBOROUGH side bounced quickly back on saturday sytematically taking apart the Leicestershire Senior League Division One leaders Ratby in a performance that re affirmed their intentions to produce a team capable of promotion to the Mid Com Premier.  Two goals in each half put this Senior Cup tie to bed against a Ratby side who basically never got a look in as “The Luffs” displayed all their strengths which failed to appear the previous week.  The defence was rock solid, both flanks of  midfield were just too hot to handle while the  strikers finished a regular intervals pride restored and form re discovered. The wide Ratby pitch was more like home to the Loughborough side and they made full use of it and straight from the kick off the Ratby keeper Miller was in action collecting a high cross cleanly.  This was a classic way to say sorry for last weeks own goal from Andrew Mcintosh he ripped the Ratby defence apart at regular intervals throughout the afternoon and was brought down early on on the edge of the area and the Leicester side were under pressure as Tebbutt saw a header cleared off the line.  After five minutes without getting a look in Ratby conceded, Mcintosh delivered a left foot cross from an impossible position and Stuart Bell rose to head Loughborough into an early lead. After fifteen minutes Loughborough were reminded for the first time they were playing a side of some reputation as keeper Springthorpe took a comfortable shot to the body as Ratby’s first attempt on goal.  Bell was brought down on the edge of the Ratby penalty area after tormenting the Ratby defence with his silky skills but the kick was driven into the wall. Ratby’s best effort came midway through the first half as their skipper Rowe saw his shot deflected wide but it was against the run of play and generally the defensive trio of Edwards, Tebbutt and Gunn had the Ratby forwards Rowe, Roberts and Shooter in their pockets. Brookes provided a series of telling crosses from the right flank and O’ Callagahan could easily have got the second with a shot just past the post. For the second goal the two flank men combined, Mcintosh glided past two defenders to deliver a low cross for Brookes to tap in from close range and has half time approached Paul O’Callaghan should have made it three rounding a Ratby defender as if he wasn’t there and shooting just over the top. Ratby made a concerted effort to get back in the game at the start of the second half, Springthorpe had to make a save and Fowether made a timely tackle.  A glancing header and a low cross from Shooter just about catalogued the chances the Loughborough defence allowed them and from then on Loughborough resumed command.   O’Callaghan was brought down in full flight on the edge and the Ratby keeper Miller made a good save from Bell has he latched onto a loose ball.   It has to be said Ratby got a bit ratty during this game but it was like water off a ducks back to the Loughborough side who were going well and  not really interested in the side shows. For the games technicians Loughborough produced four goals from four crosses, the third goal  seeing Brookes go past his man on the right and delivering a back post cross for O’Callaghan to head in nicely.   Game over it should have been but Ratby were still in there pitching and keeper Springthorpe made a double save to keep that impressive clean sheet in tact. There was one more goal to come to make the win emphatic and it was a classic.  Ashley Harvey hit a volleyed cross from wast high which never changed trajectory until it connected with O’Callaghans head at the back post ....  it was four nil and time for the beer and sandwiches. This week sees “The Luffs” return home for their second round Endsleigh Challenge Cup against fellow promotion candidates from Birmingham’s up market quarter, Knowle, kicking off at the early time of 1.30 pm.   Waiting in the wings for the winner of this one is a plum home tie against Rugby Town and awaiting those who reach the final ...... is Villa Park.