LOUGHBOROUGH HITS HAT-TRICK AS REDS ADVANCE IN LEAGUE CUP

Felling Magpies 2 Rothbury 5

Reeves Independent George Dobbins League Cup

Modest Reds hat-trick hero James Loughborough was quick to praise the performance of his team-mates as Rothbury advanced in the League Cup.

The hard-working midfielder said he was ‘happy to get the three goals to help the club,’ and added: “They were due.”

“I thought we were very good going forward and striker Gareth McCann was great in holding the ball up. Greg Woodburn and James Jackson also had very good games in the midfield with me,” continued Loughborough.

“Any Cup run we can go on will give us good momentum for the League – my aim for the season is to be injury-free and just enjoy football.”

Boss Dan Herron was delighted with the contribution of the midfield dynamo and said: “James scored a hat trick of goals where he took on 3/4/5 players and just passed it into the net! He really was immense in the game. His strength and direct running was a constant thorn in Felling’s side all afternoon.”

Rothbury were without a recognised goalkeeper as Paul Appleby split his eye in training. Legendary veteran striker John Angus stepped up to don the gloves and was picking the ball out of the back of the net after just four minutes as Michael Mains beat him.

“It’s fair to say Jack needed to find his feet at the start of the game but grew into it and was a constant influence barking orders at the back,” said Herron afterwards.

“It’s no easy task going in nets when it’s not your natural position so we have to praise and thank him for helping us out.”

Rothbury’s response was almost immediate with Chris Coe netting his first of the season just two minutes later to level things up, firing high over the keeper from close range, and the boss hoped it would give him a confidence boost going forward, saying: “It was pleasing to see Chrissy get off the mark. Both himself and Gareth McCann had a few chances throughout the game but couldn’t get any more - we’ve been going through a bit of a bad patch though so I expect more of those to be converted as confidence is built.”

The Reds went ahead a minute before the interval as Loughbourgh waltzed through the defence and he added his second in the 56^th minute. 17-year-old youngster James Williams notched first for the club in the 70^th minute to make it 4-1.

“It was good for James to get his first senior goal with a well placed header into the far corner,” continued the gaffer.

“Himself and Harry Felton stepped in to play wing backs due to a shortage, and did well, but are a little raw with not playing that position before. So there is experience and pointers needed, but positive throughout.”

Although the Mag’s Alex Turnbull reduced the arrears three minutes later, Loughborough completed his treble in the 81^st minute to slap the gloss on the victory.

With so many changes to the side, Herron revealed that the emphasis in the dressing room beforehand had been about going back to basics.

“The last few weeks it feels like we’ve been doing things far too fast and over complicated,” he said.

“So we just asked the lads to slow it down and pass short and simple. Our only criticism from others last season was that our build-up play was too slow, but it seemed to work for us by retaining possession and frustrating the opponent - which is exactly what we reverted to yesterday.”

“I was really pleased to get a win for the confidence, and to get a performance like we would so often put in last year was great to see. Albeit we did have a lot more time and space than we’re used to in Division One, the lads had to remain focussed and motivated throughout,” he continued.

“The back three and midfield three were very good for us too. The confidence that Joel (Laviers), Tom (Macpherson) and Sam (Proudlock) have on the ball is the absolute underpinning of why we can play out from the back so well. Mins (James Jackson), Greg (Woodburn) and James (Loughborough) just did the basics right in the middle of the park, which made possession football a lot easier in comparison to previous weeks.”

Rothbury’s reward is a tough draw at home against Prudhoe YC in the next round on the 28^th October, while in County Cup news Rothbury have been drawn away to old rivals Wooler in the NFA Minor Cup with the game taking place on Saturday 5^th October. The Glendale side are now back playing in the Northern Alliance Development Division.