WILMCOTE 2 LUFFS 1 (15/04/02) Loughborough travelled to Stratford for a midweek 6.10pm kick off with a weekend squad of players and subsequently got what they deserved in a grim encounter with a mid table side Wilmcote. "The Luffs" will look back on this season at these strange results against sides they should be able to beat as being their downfall. Loughborough were given an early warning as Wilmcote forced a save from 'keeper Springthorpe and then hit the bar. Wilmcote were a no nonsense side delivering the ball long and hard from the back, in fact "The Luffs" should have been well aware of this having lost there by the same scoreline and in a similar fashion early in the season in the cup. Carl Springthorpe split the Wilmcote defence but O'Callaghan wasted the chance and the Wilmcote 'keeper saved a Mcintosh effort with his feet. It was a good spell from Loughborough but from then on it all went down hill, the defence was caught napping and Pitts nipped in to opened the scoring for Wilmcote and the one goal lead stood till half time. Loughborough were the better side despite the absence of some key players but they just couldn't convince this Wilmcote side of the facts. A flowing move saw Mcintosh deliver a low cross for manager Mick Barrett levelled the scores, it was the best piece of football all evening and should have set Loughborough on the way to a victory, but on this night there were too many weakness in the side and the villagers of Wilmcote sensed it. There were chances, Mcintosh tested the Wilmcote keeper with a free kick and O'Callaghan saw his shot deflected wide. While Loughborough were searching fruitlessly for the winning goal Wilmcote applied the direct route and a glancing header made it two one in their favour. There was no way back for "The Luffs" on this night, Wilmcote were like a dog with a bone and there just wasn't enough substance in the Loughborough side to take it off them. Maybe the midweek travelling was beginning to take its toll, maybe this Loughborough side aren't quite professional enough to see off the lesser sides, maybe there aren't any lesser sides in this league ... it certainly looked awful from the line.