Gutsy Greens Slip To Narrow Reversal

The Greens effort and desire could hardly be questioned in Leicestershire and they’ll have been frustrated not to take a point from a closely-fought encounter – goals from Dylan Edwards and Josh Wicks ultimately undoing Sebastian Robbemond’s strike.

Joint Player/Managers Tom Ward and Nathan Arnold made three changes from the side that defeated Pinchbeck United 3-0 on Boxing Day. The headline saw new signing Latrell Patterson make his Greens debut in the place of Max Ward who dropped to the bench, while Lewis Daff and Finlay Armond also came in for the benched duo of Sebastian Robbemond and Danny Horton. Hosts Loughborough Students meanwhile made just one change from a 4-1 victory over Hucknall Town last Saturday and that came in goal, which Charlie Callahan dropping out in place of Toby Larsen.

It took the sides a while to feel their way into the contest, with Loughborough stringing some nice moves together, but really failing to trouble Liam Flitton in the Greens goal. Despite that though, it was the Greens who generated the first chance when Akeel Francis broke through, but fine pressure from the Loughborough defender prevented him getting a shot away. At the other end the dangerous Dylan Edwards fired high and wide before Liam Flitton was forced into a fine diving save to tip Richie Allen's header around the post.

Good work out wide from Akeel Francis saw him cross for Finlay Armond to fire over the bar before Drummond skewed a header wide after a cross from Charlie Ward. Despite the Greens general play being solid, it was the hosts who broke the deadlock just after the half hour mark when a fine turn and run from Josh Wicks saw him waltz through the Greens lines and slot calmly beyond Liam Flitton to give the hosts the advantage. That lead could have been doubled shortly before the break but Halim Bangura could only drag his effort wide of the post and the advantage remained at one going into the break.

The second half was a far more open affair at the University Stadium and Loughborough were twice unfortunate not to take advantage of a man-advantage after Charlie Ward was sin-binned for speaking out of turn to the referee. First Liam Flitton was required to be behind Ollie Parson’s effort just inside the box before Flitton was in action again a minute later, this time denying Dylan Edwards from close range with his feet.

Back to 11 versus 11 and Loughborough again had a golden opportunity to extend their advantage when Ethan O’Toole headed inches wide after being set up by Josh Wicks. The Scholars were then left to rue that miss when the Greens levelled in the 73rd minute, Sebastian Robbemond heading home at the near post from Tristan Drummond’s corner to level the contest. The Greens wind was taken from their sails just five minutes later though when an expertly worked freekick ended in Dylan Edwards crashing home from close range to re-establish the hosts lead.

The Greens best outlet looked to be the lively Ryan Lennon and he tested Toby Larsen on the angle before Dylan Edwards’ sending off for a tackle on Tristan Drummond gave the Greens hope of a result. That man advantage was cancelled out though from the resulting freekick, Charlie Ward earning a second yellow card for wiping out keeper Larsen as he attacked Ryan Flitton’s freekick and from there, the Greens struggled to regain a foothold. Connor Keene could have wrapped up the points after he turned Max Ward, but he could only fire over from close range, but in truth, the hosts advantage was never truly troubled.

The Greens return to the Longwater Stadium next weekend for a first home United Counties League Premier Division North fixture of 2024. The visitors are Heanor Town and kick-off is scheduled for 3PM.

Words: Oliver Atkin