WARWICK SLIP UP AGAINST LOUGHBOROUGH IN 8-6 LOSS

27/02/08

Loughborough 8 @ 6 Warwick Men's

After Nottingham's dramatic loss to Birmingham at the weekend Warwick went into the game knowing that a 2 wins from their last 3 would bring them the Midlands League title that have eluded them for so long. On the day Loughborough out played Warwick and the title now goes down to the wire with an away game at Birmingham on the 1st and Loughborough showdown on the 7th.

It was no suprise that Warwick started slow and dropped to a 3-1 defecit at the first quarter. Aaron Fox (1,0) scored off a nice feed from James Aris but despite much offensive pressure Loughborough looked steady with Andrew "Sweet" Hunt on fine form in goal.

Seb Croft (2,1) was again dominant at the face-off x winning 14 of 18 face-offs (0.778) but despite this Warwick spent much of the game on defence. Loughborough to their credit were smart with the ball, cutting down on the low percentage shots and retaining ball possession looking for inside shots of nice feeds. At the half Warwick were 4-1 down after being shut out in the second quarter.

As has so often happened this season Warwick had a third quarter run seeing 3 unanswered goals to level the game at 4 a piece. Seb Croft dodged and scored from up top beating Sweet stick side low. James Aris (3,1) led from the front with two nice inside efforts. The team looked fired up and the crowd that had assembled were in full voice. Warwick shut out Loughborough in this quarter as the defence got hold, Tom Riddlestone (14 saves (0.619)) led from the goal with a commanding presence marshilling his defence, while the defensive middies and the poles were strong and physical.

Heading into the 4th all the momentum was with Warwick and they opened the scoring quick in the 4th when Alex Twiss (0,1) fed James Aris for their first and only lead of the game. 5-4. This was the penultimate score of the game for Warwick who were shut down until the last minute of the game when Seb Croft again dodged and scored unassisted. Warwick's normal transition game did not materialise and the offence looked sluggish in comparison to recent games, although it was no doubt this was down to slight nerves on their part and a good performance from the Loughborough D.

Luke Johnstone scored an unassisted underarm ripper offstick hip to tie the game at 5 and from then on Warwick committed a few technical penalties (offsides) and two personal fouls which meant that offensive possession was rare and Loughborough took advantage of these man-up possessions to score 3 unanswered goals to build an unassailable lead. Final score 8-6.

Warwick now focus their attentions to the weekend where they look to get their superb season back on schedule after a dissapointing day.

Loughborough 8 v 6 Warwick

Goals:
Aris (3,1)
Croft (2,1)
Fox (1,0)
Twiss (0,1)

Saves:
Riddlestone 13 (0.619)

Current Record: (9-3-1)