Town went into this game on the back of 2 defeats and the prospect of a third on the trot didn’t even bear thinking about. Town welcomed back John Mcdade to the starting line-up after his holiday.
Town were quick out of the blocks and within 5 minutes they were in front when a through ball found Hardy on the left and as he cut inside he slotted the ball past the oncoming keeper. 1-0. Town were in complete control but still far from their best. The next chance fell to Aubrey when he met a cross from the left but directed his header over the bar. On 20 minutes Town really should have been further in front when Hardy caused more problems down the left and with the keeper to beat he unselfishly squared the ball to Fasulo but he directed his shot from 4 yards straight at the keeper. Aubrey was then put through on the right but his shot across goal missed the far post. Fasulo was then put clean through but with the defenders coming back at him he snatched at his shot which ended up wide of the post. Town should have been at least 5 in front as Ratby hadn’t even managed a shot at goal. Inevitably, Ratby levelled when centre forward Lupton turned and cracked a shot into the roof of the net from 25 yards. 1-1. There was still time for Town to have a couple of long range efforts but the keeper was untroubled.
Town started the second half as they had started the first dominating the game. Within a minute Mcdade put Aubrey through with an inch perfect pass but Aubrey will be disappointed to have shot straight at the keeper when clean through on goal. Hardy once again was causing problems down the left as again he got down the left and fizzed a low cross into Aubrey who from 3 yards squeezed his effort wide of the far post. Once again with Town in complete control Ratby scored against the run of play with what was to be their second and final shot on goal. Lupton made no mistake when left unmarked on the far post. 1-2. It was unbelievably harsh on Town but once again they went at Ratby this time Hardy going clear down the left cutting back inside only for his goal bound effort hitting Fasulo and deflecting away. Time was running out for Town but the best chance of the lot fell to Fasulo when a cross from the right saw him unmarked 5 yards out with the keeper to beat but he inexcusably shanked his effort wide. The game came to an end and left everyone around the ground scratching their heads as to how Town had lost a game they really should have had double figures in. Ratby will know they got out of jail but Town somehow have to lift their heads and travel to Anstey Nomads on Tuesday evening still looking for their first point! LTFC 1-2 RSFC
