BLACKHEATH 0 LUFFS 2 (14/12/02) LOUGHBOROUGH travelled into the Black Country on Saturday to beat fourth placed Blackheath and lift themselves up into sixth place with two Christmas messages. The first to the men on the M69, the Romans could build better roads than you lot, they didn't have to keep coming back to fix what they did a year ago. The Luffs were very nearly late for the kick off and preparations were rushed after sitting in roadworks for three quarters of an hour. The second message to the rest of Division One, The Luffs are nearly back to the form of last season, this was a classy display of controlled football to beat the fancied Blackheath side on their own patch. Keeper Springthorpe was in action very early in this game smothering the ball at the second attempt but The Luffs settled into their stride quickly after that and Gunn glanced a header just wide after some good buildup work. Back in The Luffs side for the first time was left flankman Andrew McIntosh and his corner saw Aylward shoot just over the top. Loughborough soon picked up where they left on on Thursday evening producing some good football against much stiffer opposition, Mcintosh went clear through the middle but keeper Summers was down quickly at his feet to smother the ball. Blackheath showed two swift and tricky forward in Evans and Kelly but Stevenson and Boyce handled them well and took great pride in their second clean sheet of the week. The Loughborough youngster Watkiss cleared one off the line as Blackheath showed why they were in fourth place but the better chances were at the other end. Mould went through with pace on the keeper and the rebound was cleared off the line while Aylward was brought down in the area but no penalty was given. Evans shot just past the post for the Black Country side while McIntosh was brought down in full flight, the reulting free kick saw Springthorpe head just over the bar. Just before the break Watkiss was replaced by Moult in defence and it remained goaless but a good first half performance from The Luffs. Loughborough picked up the pace in the second half, Aylward glanced a header wide and a low shot from Mcintosh was saved by Summers. It looked as if Mould had made the break through as Summers juggled the ball off the post but got away with it. The best move of the game saw Mcintosh combine with O'Callaghan to give Gunn and excellent chance but he delayed too long and the keeper cleared. Edwards tested Summers from distance,Springthorpe blinded one high and wide and Moulds free kick was deflected wide but Blackheath were not going to be easily beaten. With fifteen minutes to go and Loughborough on the rampage they turned to the man in form, a through ball from Aylward and O'Callaghan slipped the ball neatly past Summers for a long awaited goal. That one goal would have done the job but Blackheath pushed for the equalizer and Mould saw the gap in their defence with a forty yard pass into the path of O'Callaghan who rounded the keeper to make it two nil and a classy victory for The Luffs. Up to sixth place for Loughborough and at home to eighth placed Fairfield Villa this saturday, kick off 2.00pm to begin an interesting Christmas programme which sees The Luffs away at Northfield on Saturday the 28th and at home to Wilmcote on New Years Day (kick off 2.00 pm). No game on Boxing Day for the first time in many a season for The Luffs, no complaints there, they have not been that productive over the years. TEAM:   Paul SPRINGTHORPE, Matt WATKISS, Ian STEVENSON, Carl SPRINGTHORPE, Ben BOYCE, Mark EDWARDS, Steve AYLWARD, Paul O'CALLAGHAN, Paul GUNN, Steve MOULD, Andrew MCINTOSH Subs: Mark DABNEY, John SANTRY, Steve MOULT SCORERS:  Paul O'CALLAGHAN (2) ATT: N/A HT: 0-0