LUFFS 2 ARCHDALE 73 0 (20/9/05) LOUGHBOROUGH were of to a flyer on Saturday beating the newly promoted highly fancied division two Archdale by two clear goals and a performance of controlled football which surely must have pleased managers Anthony Barratt and Darren Barber. The Luffs paraded their new signings Patrick Thomson, Ruben Francis, Steven Higgins and Alvy Manunebo and combined with the mainstay of last years players it produced one of the best games of football seen at The Drome for many a year. Traditionally the division two promoted side have proved to be challengers in division one and make no mistake Archdale were a good side and made a good contribution to a classic game. Loughborough began in control, the football was crisp and at times rising above the expected standard of this division but Archdale were well organised and took most of what was thrown at them in their stride. The Luffs should have had a couple early on, Francis proved a thorn in the visitors side through out the game and was brought down on the edge of the area. Manunebo should have scored with a header from close in but his effort went over the bar. The Archdale keeper saved a low shot from Paco Box and Francis saw his free kick go just over the top, Loughborough were in control early on and really should have "dipped their bread". Archdale broke for their first attack and very nearly scored, Jason Beck heading past the post but credit keeper Ben Hall for presenting a massive barrier. The best chance of the first half fell to Ruben Francis, clear on goal but keeper Dean Smith made a good save. As the half came to a close Archdale came more into the game, Gordon Beacham's shot was blocked by defender Matt Kearns and a goal mouth scramble saw Andrew Widdowson very scoop the ball just wide. Sam Green let fly from outside the area but keeper Ben Hall was down quickly to save and the first half finished goal less. The second half saw the visitors force Loughborough back on defence and Lucas Marston headed just over and Hall was at full stretch to save from Beck, these were difficult times for Loughborough but Royston Whittle marshalled his defence well and rode out the sticky patch without conceding. The Luffs were threatened at regular intervals with the tricky play and deep crosses of Gordon Beacham down the left flank but they handled it well and gradually came back into the game again. Back in their stride Loughborough began to probe for weakness' in the Archdale back line and after an hour they won a free kick on the edge of the area. Manuebo curled the kick over the wall into the top corner with keeper Smith well beaten and The Luffs were in the lead at last. Archdale were forced to chase the game, Hall saved one at the near post but they were leaving gaps at the back and Ruben Francis still had plenty of running in him. Steven Higgins should have scored, Francis laid it on a plate for him but keeper Smith stood up and the shot went wide. Archdale were beginning to be exposed more at the back and a second goal looked on the cards but it came as a bit of a surprise from the penalty spot. The referee didn't see it but his assistant did and it was a just reward for some real hard running from Ruben Francis when it tucked away the penalty to make it two non. Archdale gave it one last shot and Hall saved well again but this was Loughborough day, a good game to watch and the right result. If it means anything the results of the day left Loughborough in fourth place and the well fancied side Littleton come to Loughborough this Saturday (kick off 2.45 PM)on the back of a first game defeat with Bank Holiday Monday seeing a visit from Heather Athletic (Kick Off 5.45 PM) these are interesting times down at The Drome and well worth a visit. TEAM:  Ben HALL,   SUBS:   SCORERS:  Ruben FRANCIS, Elvy MANUEBO ATT: N/A HT: 0-1