Report

Linford headed to Loughton looking to continue from the good performance the week before at Southcott. Gaz and Andy Miller were both missing but Steve Sanson was able to return. Fosssey moved to right back, Sanson to the middle and Moley to left back. The game was thrown into doubt prior to kick off as upon arriving the linford lads were faced with  pitch that was unmarked and indeed the ref appeared to have called the game off.

Despite the possibility of a postponment, the lads changed and went for a warm up kick about. Loughton found themselves marking out their own pitch and by pitch i mean the half way line and 18 yard box!

With a lack of pitch markings, the lads kicked off and played well in the early exchanges. The pitch as well as unmarked, proceeded to be the size of an under 13's 8 aside one that continued to frustrate the linford free flowing football game. Loughton, clearly used to the size of the small pitch, stepped up their game and pushed Linford back. Linford held their own though and had a couple of opportunities to deliver into the box but found the last ball poor.

Loughton took the lead somewhat against the run of play. A long throw could only be half cleared and with any number of players in the box, it fell straight to the left midfielder who was there to tuck home from 8 yards. A sucker blow to the lads. The lads soon found themselves 2 behind. Again in rather fortutous circumstances. A hoefpul hoof across the box wasnt cleared and the spinning ball bounced kindly before a side footed pass was narrowly missed that allowed the striker to calmly finish in the bottom corner.

Half Time 0-2

The lads came out firing, it hadnt been a game they should have been losing. They were playing some good football but were finding it hard to press in the final 3rd. The second half pretty much found Loughton defending and Linford all out attack. The first chance fell to Culley at the back stick from a corner but he could put his header wide of the target. Tommo and Garrard up top were trying to find openings, but the small pitch, and physical defenders were preventing them from seeing any sights of goal. Linford did get back into the game, and it was richly deserved. Dom in midfield, delivered a teasing, curling cross into the box that was glanced into the corner by Nev. A great goal for the lads.

With Linford psuhing further forward, Tommo went to freshen up the line up, but found the ref unwilling to allow any subs on, something that has been taken up with the league. The lads pressed on and Nev had a great chance to equalise. A through ball by Dom saw nev side step the keeper and drill for goal only to see a wonderful sliding block from the recovering defender. From the resulting corner, once more, culley won the header but could only find the keepers hands.

The lads pressed on and sanson moved into a forward role. Loughton could have scored a third when the striker was put through with Linford pushing on, James did well to put the striker off and blaze over.

With less than 5 minutes remianing, the ref finally allowed subs to come on, but it became a pointless exercise. Loughton held on to secure all 3 points.

An unlucky defeat for the lads for what was a good team performance, on a normal sized pitch, with markings  the lads will bounce back no problem.

A word to Rob and Greg on the sideline who found themselves not getting a run out thanks to some bizarre officiating.