LUFFS 1 KNOWLE 1 (29/12/01) @ The Drome It seemed an eternity since "The Luffs" last played a game of football and it showed in Saturday's below par performance resulting in two points dropped at home to the Solihull side Knowle. Two games went to the weather over Christmas a coupled with a blank week just before Loughborough had been confined to training and it is never quite the same as match practice. Loughborough began well enough and McCintosh tested the Knowle keeper Avery at the near post but the football was laboured and lacked the penetration that had beaten Knowle in the Challenge cup earlier in the season. For all the possession and passing from the Loughborough side it was the visitors who broke away for the clear-cut chances. The Knowle number eleven Robinson was the main threat and could well have scored after fifteen minutes with a header at the near post being directed just wide. Brookes combined well with O'Callaghan to create a half chance but Knowle were sharp in defence and gave nothing away, while at the other end Carl Springthorpe had to be in quickly to foil Robinson. The Loughborough keeper Paul Springthorpe was down quickly at the feet of North as Knowle showed they could exlpoit any hesitancy in the Loughborough defence. Brookes let fly from distance but keeper Avery held on well and did the same when O'Callaghan tried a second shot shortly afterwards. Keeper Springthorpe was called on to make a point blank save and earned some good fortune for later as Hawker headed straight into his arms with a very good chance, the visitors where creating the first half clear cut chances. Gunn was quickly into the tackle as it finally dawned on the Loughborough side they had a tough game on their hands while at the other end Mould very nearly caught the Knowle keeper off his line with a chipped shot. There were no goals in the first half and the best chances had fell to the visitors. The early part of the second half was a bit of a none event from both side but Loughborough having survived the first half and rode our the early period of the second then picked up their game and did enough in a short period of twenty minutes to have won the encounter. O'Callaghan was put clear through one keeper Avery and looked to have scored but the keepers outstrecthed leg knocked it wide. Loughborough blooded a new player in Mark Patterdon from the Ryman League and overall he didn't do badly but he looked bit embarrassed when Brookes squared the ball to him and he scooped the ball wide from three yards out. It was a good period for Loughborough and manager Barret and Hewitt maintained the pressure by using substitutes Sean O'Callaghan and Pete Harvey. A free kick saw Paul O'Callaghan rise up and head the ball into the Knowle net but the Assistant Referee ruled him off side, my goodness it must have been a close decision which wasn't received at well by the Loughborough crowd. Gun was brought down in full flight but received no compensation while O'Callagahn warmed Avery hands again as the temperature began to drop. With ten minutes to it had a goaless draw written all over it, Loughborough had survived Knowles first half chances and Knowle had survived Loughborough second half chances but there was a sting in the tail. Knowle struck first Beale it was who broke clear and hit a low shot into the bottom corner and the Solihull side thought they were going away with all the points. But not against this current Loughborough side who just never say die, they picked themselves up dusted themselves off and drove the visitors back into their own half. It was late, very late but when Gareth Rogers shaped to put the ball in the net he was unceremoniously bundle over and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Paul O'Callaghan was the man to dispatch the penalty and points and honours were shared. It left Loughborough in seventh place with games in hand to reach the third place but they were given a reminder that this is the Midland Combination and games in hand are worth very little when every team in the league is prepared to give you a run for your money. New Years day sees the visit of Rugby Town and Saturday "The Luffs" are on the road again to Cadbury Athletic (kick off 2.00 pm)