LUFFS 2 THIMBLEMILL 0 (29/01/05) FOUR games, four clean sheets, for The Luffs as they did another good job on Saturday, taking the points off Thimblemill and taking themselves up into tenth place in the league. A good test this one for Loughborough as the Central Birmingham side have themselves done some comprehensive re building of their side and showed some good form recently. It was the visitors who showed first with Kieron Rowbottom testing keeper Ben Hall with a low shot, but the big man was up to the test and took it cleanly. Loughborough soon picked up the pace of the game and took charge of the proceedings, Modou Darboe set up Nathan dale but he sliced his shot wide. Loughborough showed a bit of cunning with a free kick on the edge as Jason Lane set up Simon Walker whose shot was tipped over the bar by the Thimblemill keeper James Ward. Lane glanced a header just wide from a corner and followed this up with a low shot into the arms of Ward. Paco Box set up Dale who found the side netting and Thimblemill were on the ropes. It was Box who set up the first goal twisting and turning in the box until a desperate defenders hand gave Loughborough a penalty. Sam Blount took it keeper Ward guessed right and got a good touch but it squirmed over the line and The Luffs had their deserved lead. It wasn't exactly plain sailing from then on, Thimblemill got themselves into the game and when Wayne Elcock rounded defender and keeper alike an equaliser looked a certainty but he rolled his shot past the post with Martin Kearns blocking his way. This was Thimblemills best period and Ashley Nield hit the bar before Loughborough gathered their composure and resumed the offencive. Paco Box should have had another penalty but referee Scott thought he had made too much of it and Jason Lane had a half chance in the box but dwelt just a bit too long. But The Luffs were on the up and when Blount set up Nathan Dale he hit a low shot into the bottom corner and two non it was. By half time Thimblemill had rallied again, Anthony Macmanus had his free kick blocked, Richerd Cottier hit one high and wide and Ben Hall saved a shot from skipper Nick Usher but they couldn't break down Loughborough's defences. Half time saw Sam Blount limp off to be replaced by the youngster Kyle Bryant and from the kick off he had the ball in the net only to be ruled off side. Nathan dale found the side netting again while Michael Incilla forced a clearance from the Loughborough defender Chris Ward. Robert Matthews came on for Loughborough and Mark Lewis stepped up into the mid field to do an equally good job as he did in the back line. Bryant showed his best game since joining the Loughborough club and set up striker Nathan Dale who managed to scoop it over from a few yards out. Modou Darboe broke from the pack and and scored but was surprisingly ruled offside. Thimblemill went for a goal but got little change from defenders Matt Watkiss, Simon Walker and Martin Kearns, and left gaps at the back and really if there was to be a complaint, Loughborough should have took advantage and improved their goal difference. But who are we to complain, these are the good times, and managers Anthony Barrett and Darren Barber are succeeding where others have not and The Luffs are rising like the Phoenix from the ashes. Saturday sees The Luffs travel to Newhall United, almost a local Derby this one and these near neighbours are not doing so well at the bottom of the division but they have a good few games in hand to get themselves out of trouble. Kick Offs go back to 2.45 PM it being February and the afternoons are certainly brighter. North Leicestershire League Division One Loughborough Res 4 Markfield 3 It was a good afternoon all round for the Loughborough club as "The Stiffs" did a job on Markfield down there in "The Marshes" with a glut of goals. Having two teams at home doesn't work that well but two wins is not to be sneezed at and complaints of a pitch ruined by motor bikes tracks was soon forgotten. The goals were well spread, Chris Stokes bagged one, new signing Peter Bowler made it two in two games, the youngster Dave Parsons came on to score and the old campaigner Tom Belton headed the winner. TEAM:  Ben HALL, Matt WATKISS, Martin KEARNS, Simon WALKER, Chris WARD, Mark LEWIS, Sam BLOUNT, Moudou DARBOE, Nathan DALE, Paco JOSE BOX, Jason LANE   SUBS:  Kyle BRYANT, Chris James, Robert MATTHEWS SCORERS:   ATT: Nathan DALE, Sam BLOUNT HT: 1-0