No sparkler, but Loddon get a win

Loddon Utd 1, Spixworth Utd 0THIS game was more of a damp squib than a sparkler - a win which puts Loddon three points ahead of Spixworth in mid-table, and now nearer the top than the bottom.

Loddon Utd 1, Spixworth Utd 0

THIS game was more of a damp squib than a sparkler - a win which puts Loddon three points ahead of Spixworth in mid-table, and now nearer the top than the bottom.

Loddon started brightly with an offside against Marjoribanks and a Gricks shot blocked. Collins coped with a tame shot and header and Ford calmly headed a cross back to his keeper.

A lovely move from Loddon started when Hayton picked out Sadler, who heeled to Gricks. He touched to Greenhalf who sent in a fizzing low cross, which the keeper collected. An untypically poor free-kick by Durrant was sliced to Spixworth who broke quickly, but their No 10 shot over.

Squire was consistently winning his aerial contests. Ford was beaten down the left but got back and put in a superbly-timed tackle.

Hancock lost possession to allow Spixworth a shot which faded just wide of Collins' left-hand post, but made amends soon after. A Greenhalf cross was touched onto the near post by Marjoribanks and Hancock was on hand to finish and put Loddon 1-0 up.

Hayton won a free-kick, but Marjoribanks could not test the keeper from 20 yards. Then Spixworth sent a free-kick into the box, but a header looped over.

Squire and Durrant covered each other well when stretched. Loddon strung together a series of passes which ended when Summons' through-ball for Hancock was just too long and collected.

A Spixworth midfielder suffered a bloody nose from an accidental elbow, but they upped their game.

A Spixworth free-kick found a player unmarked, but he blazed wide. Collins shepherded another limp effort out for a goal-kick. Loddon, particularly Summons in midfield receiving a yellow for his efforts, were having to scrap to keep Spixworth at bay. Ford also saw yellow for a little niggle in the centre circle and a Spixworth forward caught Collins late as frustration set in on both sides. Spixworth delivered a measured through-ball, Collins slipped but somehow recovered enough to get the faintest touch to deflect the ball out.

A clever run across the box by Hancock almost let in Wise, Hancock had a shot charged down and Andersen hit a sweet drive just wide. Wise won a free-kick with his explosive speed but Summons' free-kick beat everyone at the far post. Squire, Durrant and Collins shut up shop and Loddon held on to a precious three points.

Pick of the bunch and Musker McIntyre MoM was Phil Squire.