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BUCS Semi final preview- Loughborough vs Exeter
Loughborough Students take on the University of Exeter in the pick of tomorrow's BUCS Championship semi-finals. With both teams currently in the National Premier Division, a game high on both quality and intensity is expected. The teams meet for the third time in three years in the competition with Loughborough having beat Exeter at the same stage last year 2-1 on their way to winning the BUCS title.
The Students come into the game on good form having won twice in the National League this weekend. The squad shows one change from their quarter-final victory over Nottingham Trent with goal keeper Harry Gibson added to take the squad up to its full compliment of 16. Exeter however also enter the game in ominous form. They have won all their BUCS games in the Southern Premier league this year and beat Nottingham University 7-0 in their quarter final. The teams have met once this season with Loughborough running out 5-2 winners in the National League.
University of Exeter v Loughborough Students BUCS Championship Semi-Final, 10am pb Highfield Sports Club, Nottingham
Loughborough vs Reading HC
A tough away trip to European representatives Reading faced Loughborough on Sunday. The teams had drawn 1-1 previously in the season, despite the programme claim that Reading had won all 3 points, and a competitive game was expected. Loughborough again started well and scored after 7 minutes through Sam Spencer. Reading's best first half chances came from two penalty corners but both were well saved by Harry Gibson in the visitors' goal. The game exploded in both action and controversy in the second half as Loughborough's Chris Griffiths saw two yellows and therefore a "technical red card" after 45 and 55 minutes. Reading also had a player yellow carded after 55 minutes as the game became both physical and scrappy. While Reading tried to use their man advantage with quick passing across the pitch, Loughborough were looking dangerous on the counter attack and managed to break through the Reading defence for a second time with George Torry scoring after 65 minutes. As Reading went all out to try and get back in the game their captain Richard Springham was yellow carded after 68 minutes, which resulted in both teams finishing the game with 10 players. The Students battled hard and never gave up as they managed to close out the game and take all 3 points and 4 out of 6 from the two games between the sides this season.
The weekend's results allow the Students to look up the table and continue to push for the European places. They take their good form into a game with Surbiton at home next Sunday.
Defender Richie Dawson-Smith:
"We pride ourselves in our ability to perform in both games on double header weekends, and it was so important for us to continue that tradition this weekend with so much at stake. The team did not disappoint and the work put in by everyone was brilliant and in the end was the difference I think."
Midfielder Henry Weir:
"It wasn't a perfect game today but we put in a very gutsy performance. This weekend has proven that we can compete with any team in this league as long as we play as fiercely as we have done for the last two days".
Loughborough vs H&W
Loughborough Students won both games of their double-header weekend to push them into real contention for the European places at the top of table. A hard fought 2-1 victory over Hampstead and Westminster was followed up with an eventful 2-0 win over a strong Reading side.
After snow forced the postponement of Loughborough's first outdoor game of 2012, the Students faced a critical double-header weekend that would have a significant effect on their expectations for the season.
Their weekend got off to an ideal start with two goals in the first 34 minutes against a Hampstead side who dominated in a 4-0 win earlier in the season. Andrew Bull and Oliver Ward scoring from a PC and open play respectively. Chris Griffiths also had what appeared to be a perfectly good goal chopped off for being outside the D. This could have been costly as a lapse in defensive concentration saw Hampstead score on the stroke of half time. Chances were few and far between in the second half as the midfield of each team appeared to cancel each other out. Despite conceding a corner in the 67th minute Loughborough held out for a 2-1 victory.
Loughborough vs H&W Preview
Loughborough Students begin the second half of their outdoor season this weekend with a number of season defining games on the horizon. Currently in seventh position, the Students know that a run of good results will see them pushing for the play-offs and European places while any slip-ups will pull them closer to an already hotly contested relegation battle.
They begin with a tough home match against a Hampstead & Westminster team immediately above them in the table but who also defeated them 4-0 in London earlier in the season. The Students however, have only lost once at home this season and also defeated Hampstead at the recent indoor competition. Hampstead meanwhile come into the match having lost their last two games away from home albeit only narrowly. With both teams knowing the result will have big implications on their potential aims for the remainder of the season, a hotly contested game is expected.
Both teams will be missing a GB international as Dan Fox and Richard Smith are away playing in South Africa. Loughborough will also be missing the services of Dom Bowdon for the rest of the season after he broke a bone in his foot during Loughborough's recent indoor sucesses. However, goalkeeper Ali McGregor, leading scorer Sam Ward and midfielder Jerome Goudie all return from pre-xmas injuries to make the squad.
Rumours that Chris Armstrong was selected for Wednesday game against Sheffield Hallam have been unconfirmed. We will have to wait and see if he will be making his debut apperance on Sunday, as ever David Ralph is keeping his cards close to his chest.
Loughborough Students v Hampstead & Westminster
Sunday February 12th - 2.00pm start
Loughborough University Waterbase
1 Pound Sterling Admission
Loughborough Students to Return to the Indoor Prem
Loughborough entered the second week of indoor competition in second place behind St. Albans but missing England International Richard Smith and outdoor coach David Ralph. They were replaced by Jerome Goudie and Owain Dolan-Gray and joined by Fred Whitfield to provide goalkeeping cover.
In their first match Loughborough faced a skilful Barford Tigers team who had been involved in several close matches the previous weekend. Loughborough however, came out strongly with goals from Goudie and Ward giving them an early lead. As Barford began to gain longer spells of possession the teams exchanged goals going into half-time with Loughborough 4-2 up. The students came out in the second half looking to start strongly and not suffer from a lack of concentration like they had over the previous weekend and Sam Ward ensured that would not be the case with an early goal giving his team a 3 goal cushion. Loughborough continued to play well and controlled the game finishing as 9-2 winners, Ward claiming four and Griffiths two.
In their second game Loughborough faced bottom of the table Stourport and put in another disciplined and energetic performance to overwhelm their struggling opponents. Loughborough took a 6-2 lead in at half-time and put the result beyond doubt in the second half coming away with a second 9-2 victory for the day. Ward and Griffiths both completed hat-tricks with Weir and Condon also converting chances.
As St. Albans surprisingly only gained one point on Saturday, Loughborough finished the day on top of the table with a game versus second placed St. Albans first up on Sunday.
In spite of the fact that St. Albans beat Brooklands earlier in the day, Loughborough entered the game knowing a win would crown them Champions and secure promotion back to the Premier League. As was now custom, Loughborough started the game with a high tempo and took the game to St. Albans. This quickly paid dividends as goals from Griffiths and Ward put them 2-0 up inside 3 minutes. St. Albans got a goal back after 8 minutes but Loughborough regained control scoring further goals to lead 4-2 at half-time. In the second half Loughborough maintained long periods of possession while continuing to make and convert chances, frequent goals at one point putting them 8-2 ahead. A late push from St. Albans produced 2 goals but was not enough to stop the Students who won 8-4 and with it the Division 1 Indoor title. Griffiths and Ward again completed hat-tricks with Torry and Condon also scoring.
In their final game of the competition, Loughborough drew 4-4 with Brooklands MU in a dead rubber match. Loughborough's goals were scored by Ward, Griffiths and Condon.
Loughborough Students topped the table on 20 points from 8 games and will be joined in the Premier Division next year by Doncaster who finished second on 17 points.Scholes, Thierry and ..... Ralph
Loughborough Students made an ideal start to their Maxifuel Super Sixes Division 1 campaign with two emphatic wins on the opening days play. In their first game against newly promoted Hampstead and Westminster, the Students ran out 9-2 winners, having led 4-0 at half-time. Richard Smith, Sam Ward and Chris Griffiths each scored two goals for Loughborough. Although conceding two second half goals the Students maintained control throughout the game that looked to settle any remaining nerves they may have had.
In their second game the Students produced another inspired performance to overwhelm a young Havant team 13-2. Early goals from Henry Weir and Sam Ward put Loughborough in control early with further goals giving them a 7-0 half-time lead. As in their first game, a drop in concentration saw Loughborough concede two goals the start of the second half. However, this proved only to be a momentary lapse as they regained control to add a further six goals to their tally, Sam Ward finishing the game with 4 goals. The two results gave Loughborough maximum points from the first day's play and left them at the top of the table.
Loughborough began their second day with a victory against a Bournville team that had also begun the weekend with two victories. Early goals from Chris Griffiths and Sam Ward put Loughborough in a strong position and was the foundation for a 3-0 half time lead. Bournville came out stronger in the second half and scored a couple of quick goals to bring them within touching distance of Loughborough. However, the Students reorganised and further goals from Ward, Condon, Torry and Smith saw them run out 8-4 winners.
Looking to finish the weekend with maximum points, Loughborough Students ran into a well organised and determined Doncaster team in a fiercely contested game that finished 6-6. As was becoming custom Loughborough scored early through Sam Ward and David Condon. However they couldn't preserve that lead and found themselves behind for the first time in the weekend at one point by two goals as Doncaster broke effectively. Loughborough faced this adversity head-on showing a strong fighting spirit to battle away and erase the deficit with goals from Richard Smith and David Ralph.
Loughborough Students finish the weekend with 10 points leaving them 2nd in the table. Next weekend they face Barford Tigers, Stourport, St. Albans and Brooklands as they look to gain promotion back to the Premier League.