WILMCOTE 0 LUFFS 1 (9/10/04) EIGHT miserable months without a win was brought to an end on Saturday for The Luffs, and what a place to end the run at "Fortress Wilmcote" deep into Shakespeare country and no question the Loughborough lads deserved this result. For seventy minutes they looked the better side, sharp in the tackle and crisp in their passing, the last ten minutes the nerves showed just a bit as Wilmcote bombarded The Luffs defence with high penetrating balls, but they stood the test well. Loughborough blooded a new goalkeeper in Paul Wood and what he had to do he did well but this was a good overall performance that might well have been more convincing had all the chances been tucked away. Wilmcote paraded their big names up front Geoff Amos, Richard Sutton and Joe Wright but they didn't get much of a look in with defenders Simon Thorne, Mark Lewis and Chris Ward on top of their game. Striker Chris James was first to show for The Luffs shooting just wide and a long shot from Simon Walker wasn't that far away. The football from Loughborough was good and sharp and needed to be against a no nonsense Wilmcote side. Walker shown good skills getting down the left flank and shot again just past the post while Sam Blount making having an impressive game in the midfield shot just over the top. This was a good first half for Loughborough, they pushed the home side back and Craig Haynes headed just over from a corner. Wilmcote were restricted to long shots and keeper Wood took them all in his stride. This was a first half of good possession for Loughborough and as the half drew to a close there was an air of disappointment that there was nothing to show for it, but the last minute provided a just reward. Simon Walker was passed his man and brought down, Simon Thorne took up the baton and the referee saw the advantage but Thorne was brought down in the area and there was no advantage there. Matt Kearns stepped up and coolly planted the penalty in the bottom corner to give The Luffs a deserved half time lead. Wilmcote came out well motivated in the second half but they were well matched on this day Haynes went on a mazey run while Edmir Lakaj hit a shot destined for the top corner but the Wilmcote keeper Dan Moran was across quickly to save. Wood saved a long shot at one end and Walker put one just wide at the other, this was a more balance half and The Luffs had a game on their hands to keep their lead. As the half progressed Wilmcote came out more and more and Loughborough should really have taken advantage with the newly found space at the back. Chris James pulled the Wilmcote defence this way and that, hit a few shots wide and provided some good chances for his team mates but that precious second goal just wouldn't come. Craig Haynes headed just over then hit the Wilmcote bar then the Warwickshire men replied with a shot scraping the bar and Sam Blount performed a acrobatic clearance to keep the lead intact, this was exciting stuff indeed. Wilmcote bombarded the Loughborough goal with high crosses, the referee added an extra three minutes but this Luffs side is beginning top look the part and they were never going to let this lead go. There was a sort of strange silence in the air as the referee blew for time as if the bard himself had witnessed the event, there had been a few frayed tempers in the Wilmcote side and "The Luffs", well they had just forgotten what to do when you win. Still on the bottom then but level on points with the team above and The Luffs return to The Drome for two weeks now, this Saturday home to Tipton Town and followed by Burntwood Town the week after, both 2.45 PM kick offs, time then to show the long suffering home supporters what this new look Luffs side can do. County Cup Saturday Shield Round One Loughborough Res 3 FC Flamengo 1 To cap the perfect Saturday for the Loughborough Club, "The Stiffs" coasted into the next round of the County cup down at The Drome dismissing their City league opponents FC Flamengo with goals from Dave Pitchford, Simon Stevens and Tom Belton and missing a hatful more into the bargain by all accounts. They travel to unbeaten Sileby Saints this Saturday in the North Leicestershire league division one kick off 2pm. Perhaps the sleeping giant is beginning to stir again disturbed by the appaling mis-representation of a university poodle. TEAM:  Paul WOOD, Matt KEANRS, Simon THORNE, Mark LEWIS, Chris WARD, Sam BLOUNT, Craig HAYNES, Jason LANE, Chris JAMES, Edmir LIKAJ, Simon WALKER  SUBS:  Mike FINLAYSON, Lee SMITH, Adam BARRIGAN SCORERS:  Matt KEARNS ATT: N/A HT: 0-0