Stockingford 2 LUFFS 3 (19/8/03) TWO wins in two games saw the Luffs off to a tremendous start to the league programme and what a good one this was. Away at the Nuneaton side Stockingford who finish second last season and only denied promotion through the lack of floodlights for a 6.15 kick off manager Tebbutt had to re-arrange his side with several players missing but the result was right. Loughborough went a goal down in the first five minutes as Mallabone latched on to the rebound from Springthorpe's save. The game began at an alarming pace but the Loughborough side were in there with it as twice Richardson headed goalwards to threaten the Stockingford keeper. It was Richarson cross which brought the equaliser with Rogers scrambling the ball into the net for a rare goal from midfielder. Stockingford gave Loughborough a difficult time with a lot of possession and came close to scoring another but Edward's marshalled his defence superbly on this evening. Hadley was clear through for Stockingford but keeper Sprinthrope was off his line quickly and the shot went wide. New signing Dowson had the home side at sixes and sevens with a high cross and when Edwards headed down, Fairey put Loughborough into the lead from close range. The second half began with Stockingford twice bouncing the ball off the bar as an extended goalmouth scramble threatened to eliminate the Loughborough lead but with some unconventional defending they survive with it intact. Stockingford had goods possession but lacked the penetration to bring them goals and Loughborough threatened more convincingly when they broke. Wilson increased the lead for Loughborough breaking through the middle and finding the bottom corner well but it was still far from over. Stockingford made it 2-3 with a header from Hadley and the last fifteen were a grim battle as Loughborough held on to their away points. Stockingford had a lot of possession in these final minutes but sterling defending from Edwards and Hopkins kept the points intact for Loughborough. TEAM:  Paul SPRINGTHORPE, Gareth ROGERS, Nick FAIREY, Ash HOPKINS, Danny BRAILSFORD, Mark EDWARDS, Kris RICHRDSON, Tony DOWSON, WILSON, Steve MOULD, Ian STEVENSON  SUBS: Craig DAWSON, Adam LOCKER, Matt WATKISS SCORERS: Gareth ROGERS, Nick FAIREY, WILSON ATT: N/A HT: 1-1