Click here for action pics   LUFFS 3 Thimblemill REC 4 (15/2/03) After the previous week when the defence never put a foot wrong Loughborough proceeded to give the Birmingham city centre side Thimblemill three goals in the first fifteen minutes and then spent the rest of the game chasing the deficit and so very nearly caught them up. Five minutes it took for Thimblemill to open up the Loughborough defence, a goal mouth scramble and Brown stuck the loose ball in the net. Five minutes later Wright hit a cracking shot from outside the area leaving 'keeper Springthorpe the simple task of picking the ball out of the net for the second time. The Luffs were not so much outplayed as caught napping and after Springthorpe had saved another good shot they finally got themselves into the game. Mcintosh was brought down in full flight and some good build up play pushed the visitors further back into their own half. But the visitors were not done yet, Sewell went by Moult as if he wasn't there and delivered the perfect cross for Brown to head the third and leave Loughborough a mountain to climb. These goals came in the first fifteen minutes so there was time enough to get back into this game and credit the Loughborough lads with the determination to have a go. It took most of the first half but Ben Boyce finally had a pot at goal going just wide quickly followed by shots from Dabney and Rogers and when the ball hung around the Thimblemill penalty area just that bit too long Fairey thumped it in the back of the net and the Luffs had a half time lifeline. Half time the Loughborough manager Tebbutt read the riot act and it had the desired effect as his team came out with renewed enthusiasm and when Gunn's effort was blocked, Dabney hit the rebound in the net and at 2-3 there was a game on. Springthorpe made a double save to keep Loughborough in with a shout while at the other end as Mcintosh shaped to shoot in the area he appeared to be pushed off the ball but no penalty was given. Club captain Springthorpe led his team by example rampaging up the field on a series of runs which gave the Thimblemill defence a torrid time. Just when it looked like Loughborough pressure would bring them level so Thimblemill struck again this time Mooney making it 2-4. Tebbut brought on all three of his subs, Gunn scored for Loughborough and at 3-4 the game was on again but with time running out. After eighty minutes of struggling to maintain superiority the Luffs finally had Thimblemill on the ropes and the Brummies were hanging on and looking at the watch. Gunn came close to equalising but Powell saved and in the dying minutes Mcintosh hit a low shot across the goal and missing the post by a whisker but time ran out and all three points went on the coach down the M6. As the Luffs struggle to get a run of victories together they remain in seventh place and this Saturday they entertain the league leaders Dudley (Kick off 2.45pm). Still Tebbutts squad is not at full strength but there are some encouraging signs as injuries to Stevenson and Aylward have proved not to be a serious as expected and Steve Mould returns to the fold this week. Loughborough bid a sad farewell to Andrew Mcintosh as he boards the plane to take a coaching job in America, the Millwall lad has enjoyed his time in Loughborough with the Luffs and has been a good servant to the club and will be missed we wish him all the best in his new career. TEAM:  Paul SPRINGTHORPE, Matt WATKISS, Adan LOCKER, Carl SPRINGTHORPE (c), Ben BOYCE, Nick FAIREY, Steve MOULT, Paul GUNN, Gareth ROGERS, Andrew MCINTOSH, Mark DABNEY  SUBS:  Jonathan SANTRY, Neil DUTFIELD, Steve DAVEY SCORERS:Paul GUNN, Mark DABNEY, Nick FAIREY ATT: N/A HT: 3-1