A foreboding sense of déjà vu was a prominent feeling as the side set off for the midlands...again! Some major traffic delays on the M6 lead to diversions across the country! Timperley are seriously wracking up the miles this season!

At various stages the Timperley side arrived at the Loughborough campus...for some this was once their "home" pitch we boast a couple of Loughborough alumni! For others this was the home of the arch enemy from their Uni days! A rabbit warren of a Campus, only added to Molloy's frustration at being late!

The side assembled in the cosy changing rooms, and settled down for the pre-match briefing. The intensity of training midweek was a marked improvement of previous weeks, and the message was simple. Take the intensity into the game, don't give Loughborough time on the ball. The second message was to keep things tight and try not to concede early...give themselves a chance! (Previous two games the side had given away early goals and never recovered!)

The push back was put back due to one of the umpires being held up in the same traffic many of the squad had been! The side took to the pitch, their alternate white kit looking resplendent in the sun...not for long as it sooner became splattered with moisture from the pitch! The side warmed up keenly, enjoying the surface and the surroundings.

From the first whistle there was a different feel to last week. Molloy was asked by Smally "where we going with it?" Molloy replied "forwards!" Smally liking the positivity! The Timperley side buoyed by a decent training session midweek certainly took the game to the opposition in the opening few exchanges. The pace was frenetic, the travelling side looking to unsettle the home outfit and challenges were flying in...legitimately!

A lesson the home side have learnt thus far, that possession counts for nothing if you fail to convert. Timperley had their fair share of possession, in open play and in short corners, but failed to capitalise. This undoubtedly gave Loughborough confidence and it wasn't long before they had created and converted. 1-0 to the home side. There was still a long way to go in this game and the sideline packed with students, potentially on their way home from the night before, began to "encourage" both sides.

Rachel Small stood firm deflecting shots/crosses. But inevitably the warning signs were there. Although the blue outfit were undoubtedly pressing and harassing the opposition better than in previous weeks, there were times when they would simply "glide" through...a worrying sight and one which needs to be addressed.

Half-time arrived and Timperley were far from out of the game. The improvement from last weekends game clear for all to see. The message now was for us to hold firm with our position in the game and see if we could create our own chances.

The second half began with both sides looking to exert their authority. The home side keen to score a second and take the wind out of the Timperley sails. Timperley keen to nullify the Loughborough threat and also create a platform to build on. Timperley continued to harass and hound the opposition, starting to get a feel for the physicality of this league and what you can "get away with!" Jessica Mortimer was the first to answer this with a scything tackle on not far touchline...had the vociferous, partisan crowd kept their opinions to themselves, the umpire may not have delved into his pocket for the green?!

The numerical advantage didn't seem to influence matters, both sides had their chances and opportunities to stake a claim for the three points! Unfortunately, it was the home side that was to come out on top. They scored both their second and third in relatively close succession.

Apologies for the vagaries in recounting events, even if they happened only a few hours previous! My goldfish memory is not what it used to be! Secondly, there were few individual mentions in the report...the reason being I personally don't feel there were any standout performances today, (plus I got lumbered with the match-reporting duties so get "poetic license" to recount events as I see fit!