ATHERSTONE 5 LUFFS 0 (11/09/04) THE LUFFS travelled to newly demoted Southern League club Atherstone Town currently unbeaten at the top of the division, so it was top against bottom and the result reflected as much. It can safely be said that Loughborough were "Duncked" in this one as former Conference striker Ray Dunckley knocked in four of the goals. These are difficult times for The Luffs and it doesn't help when some idiot writes derogatory remarks in the local paper about The Drome but those who watched this game, over three hundred in all, saw two teams playing some good football, albeit one side a little more advanced than the other. Loughborough blooded a new young keeper in Mike Finlayson and the early stages honours were fairly even, Atherstone tested the 'keeper and he held well while at the other end Haynes hit a free kick just over the top. Dodds let fly from distance and Finlayson watched it safely past the post while Walker forced a save from the Atherstone 'keeper Fharad Afendiyev. The Loughborough chairman looked a bit surprised to see Elvy Manuebo, a product of the Luffs youth system, appearing in the number eight shirt for Atherstone. It seems a weekly event now that some disaster overtakes The Luffs and player manager Anthony Barratt, playing in the back line to steady the ship, was carried off with a serious knee injury after twenty minutes. Dunckley took advantage breaking clear and finding the bottom corner to make it one nil. Beale had a free kick saved by Finlayson before Dunckley made it two but not before first bouncing it off a defender and off the bar. Loughborough struggled for a while and Walker cleared one off the line but Lee Smith very nearly pulled one back and Walker had a shot saved and at this stage it was by no means one way traffic. In the second half Loughborough continued to try and match Atherstone for football but too many times the ball was too easily given away and Finlayson had to be down very quickly at the feet of Dunckley and got a kick in the head for his troubles. Dunckley made it three latching on to a short back pass the league leading scorer surely didn't need that sort of assist and then found the bottom corner to make it four nil and four for himself. The Luffs never gave up the ghost and tried to the end, sometimes quite successfully , to play football but it will take a few weeks before this new squad of players gels together. The Atherstone skipper Rob Sheedy made it five and ended another heavy defeat for Loughborough. It doesn't get any easier this Saturday The Luffs travel to Coleshill Town currently sitting fourth in the Premier Division and going well, this is the Endsleigh Challenge Cup second round and a break from the rigors of division one. On the brighter side The Luffs second team registered their first win in the North Leicestershire League division one, beating Ashby by five goal to two, score's Simeon Thomas (2) Edmir Likaj, Robin Matthews and Sol Morina. They make their first official appearance at The Drome on Saturday against Quorn United (kick off 2pm) TEAM:  Mike FINLAYSON, Matt WATKISS, Simon THORNE, Craig HAYNES, Anthony BARRATT, Jason LANE, Dan LEIVERS, Matt KEARNS, REID, Simon WALKER  SUBS:  Froy LITHERLAND, Mark LEWIS, Dave PITCHFORD SCORERS:   ATT: N/A HT: 0-3