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Galmpton Gents 3rds 0 Loddiswell 1 For the second consecutive match, Loddiswell visited Clennon Valley - picking up 6 points in the process. On the 20th February they beat Paignton Saints 4 - 1. After a slow start, Lee Hammett scored twice, with Joe Merchant and Mark Edmonds also netting, all this after Saints had taken a first half lead. Last Saturday they returned to play Galmpton Gents 3rds, in what turned out to be a tough fixture against a much improved team to the one they faced earlier in the season. On a heavy pitch which made it difficult to play any passing football, Lodds were at times lethargic. Gents play their own pitch well and started positively, and by knocking balls over the Lodds defence began to stretch the game. However with their forwards often being offside, Stacey in the Lodds goal was rarely threatened. With the balance of play being equal; Lodds were awarded a penalty midway through the half after a Gents players was penalised for a high foot when Hurrell stooped to head the ball goal-wards. Robey converted the penalty and this seemed to wake Lodds up, who then took control for the next 15 minutes. Maher, Hallett and Hillard worked hard to create chances for Hammett, Smallridge and Robey, but the second goal never materialised as these opportunities failed to really test the visitor’s keeper. The second half continued to be even and as the half wore on Gents gambled by pushing players forward, but the back four of Harvey, Hurrell, Anniss and Luscombe dealt admirably with all that was asked of them. The visitors were always dangerous on the break, especially through Robey’s pace and in particular the trickery of Hammett, however clear goal scoring chances where at a premium. Drews and Merchant replaced Hallett and Smallridge to provide fresh legs and with this Lodds saw out the final 20 minutes. Although not one of their better performances, Lodds can take positives from the clean sheet and the fact that this was the type of match they would have failed to win last season. Tomorrow Loddiswell host Dartmouth Reserves in a South Hams derby, kick-off 3:00pm.
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