LUFFS 3 LEAMINGTON HIBS 1 (18/12/04) OFF the bottom of the league for Christmas with their second win in two weeks for The Luffs and what better Christmas present could you ask than that. A second half hat trick for new signing Nathan Dale did the job and it was a deserved win again for the Luffs. The home side should have took the lead in the early stages with strong pressure on the mid-table visitors. Leamington cleared a Loughborough free kick under pressure and Simeon Grignon’s low cross was crying out for the simplest of touches into the net. Nitil Patel had the Leamington keeper Neil Thornton at full stretch to tip his shot over the bar and Modou Darboe also tested the keeper, but he had a good first half to keep his team in the game. Leamington began to show their paces and a point blank save from the Loughborough keeper Ben Hall was called for. Froyland Litherland had a chance to put Loughborough in the lead but again Thornton was there to save. Leamington might have taken the lead with a breakaway as Mark Holiday went clear but keeper Hall narrowed his angles well and the shot went wide. Nitil Patel saw his deflected shot saved and Jason Lane had half a chance but was closed down quickly in the box and it remained goalless at half time. The second half saw Nathan Dale take the field for the injured Simeon Grignon and what a significant change this proved to be. Within minutes of the second half Dale met a low cross from Darboe and Loughborough were in front and looking good for it. But this slender lead didn't last long a deep cross was met by Holiday at the back post and the scores were level. It signalled Leamington’s best period of the game and Loughborough's worst and this new side who had showed they could attack with skill and good passing were asked to defend. Mark Lewis twice blocked shots from the now lively Leamington forwards but the more the Leamington side attacked the more Loughborough found the space at the other end. Modou Darboe powered his way through but Thornton was there again to save. Sam Blount hit a wicked free kick for Loughborough and Thornton was at full stretch yet again for the save of the match. Leamington had had their spell of pressure in this second half and like The Luffs failed to capitalise and as the game progressed it was Loughborough who looked the most likely. Nathan Dale found the bottom corner and it was 2-1 with fifteen minutes to go. Leamington lifted their game again and a nervous last period looked on the cards but the visitors were leaving gaps at the back while committing to attack and this Loughborough side certainly look good going forward. With the end in sight Dale went clear with a blistering turn of pace and made no mistake in beating Thornton to make it 3-1 and a more comfortable end to the game for the Luffs. Loughborough return to the Drome for their next game and it is local rivals Heather Athletic on Christmas Tuesday for an 1.30 AM kick off. Thees two Leicestershire clubs served their apprenticeships in the Leicester and District league where they met some six years ago but both have now graduated to seniority in the Midland Combination and current form sees both sides going well. TEAM:  Ben HALL, Froyland LITHERLAND, Chris WARD, Simeon GRIGNON, Mark LEWIS, Matt KEARNS, Nitin PATEL, Sam BLOUNT, Jason LANE, Moutou DARBOE, Paco Jose BOX   SUBS:  Nathan DALE, And MONAGHAN, BRYANT SCORERS:  Nathan DALE (3) ATT: N/A HT: 0-0