LUFFS 2 BURNTWOOD 0 (22/1/05) IN CONTROL from beginning to end, was this best way to describe this one as Loughborough exchanged places in the league with opponents Burntwood Town and up into twelve place. Stephan Streton forced a save from the Loughborough keeper Ben Hall in the early stages as Burntwood began well but were eventually forced into second place by a hard working Loughborough side. Simon Walker tested the Burntwood keeper David Tombs but he held on well to the low shot. For a while it looked as if the Luffs were still suffering from the recent goal drought, while they had good periods of possession and attacking they struggled to break down the stubborn Burntwood defence. In the end the visitors chipped in with a little help on this score as keeper Tombs dwelt just a little bit too long with the ball at his feet, Loughborough's Simeon Grignon pounced to win the ball and tap it into an empty net. It was a gift goal, but no more than The Luffs deserved for their supremacy. Grignon might have scored again shortly after this but his delicate chip went just over the bar. Burntwood showed a threat in the form of Karl Haddon but while made some progress through the midfield he was met by a strong defensive backline in Simon Walker, Matt Watkiss and the brothers Martin and Matt Kearns. In the second half Loughborough went looking for the second goal and a Jason Lane cross went unattended and Nathan Dale set up Simeon Grignon but he reacted too slowly. Walker might have scored, a free kick went just wide and Tombs saved a low shot destined for the bottom corner. There was a period of bad tempered play from both sides and a few names went in the book but this game was only going one way and it was just a matter of time before Loughborough scored again. Mark Lewis set up Jason Lane with a good cross but he scooped it over the bar and Chris James went clear and shot over the top. Sam Blount let fly from just outside the box and Tombs didn't know what had hit him as the ball deflected over. Modou Darboe should have scored but having pushed the ball past the stranded Tombs he couldn't catch it before it went out of play. But Darboe soon redeemed himself as the ball bounced kindly for him just inside the area it flew into the top corner like a rocket and the Luffs were two up and coasting. Two non it was then and twenty valuable points for the Loughborough side as they climb steadily towards mid table respectability. The Luffs are at home again this Saturday, Kick off 2pm against Thimblemill the side who like to score goals. The Luffs second team couldn't keep up their recent form, they went down 2-4 to Ashby Ivanhoe with goals from Dave Parsons and new signing Peter Bowler. The stiffs were left complaining they should have drawn 3-3 with a disallowed goal of their own and the referee overruling the offside flag for Ashby's fourth, such is life. TEAM:  Ben HALL, Matt WATKISS, Rob Martin KEARNS, Simeon GRIGNON, Simon WALKER, Matt KERANS, Mark LEWIS, Sam BLOUNT, Jason LANE, Nathan DALE, Modou DARBOE  SUBS:  Paco Jose BOX, Chris WARD, Chris JAMES SCORERS:  Simeon GRIGNON, Moudou DARBOE ATT: N/A HT: 1-0