SWIFTS FLY OFF WITH CHAMPIONSHIP IN GOAL FEST

LUTTERWORTH TOWN 7 BIRSTALL UNITED 1
UCL 1 @ KONG PARK DUNLEY WAY
27 APRIL 2019 --- 3PM

LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

An unrelenting attacking performance from Lutterworth Town saw them make no mistake in
claiming the UCL Division One championship on the final day of the season as the overall UCL League top scorer Tendai Daire bagged a hat-trick to finish on 47 goals for the season alongside a brace from Jordan Small it swept away visitors Birstall United.
Travel from Crooked Spire town was all standing to Leicester as the oval ball crew were joining the service in numbers for the Tigers game at Welford Road, of course its nothing new in current day train travel.  Thankfully the short dash to board the X84 in fox city soon had an upper saloon seat gathered for the 1 1/4 hour saunter around the quaint south west Leicestershire villages.  For a first time trip its always interesting for the inquisitive however for a regular journey its probably about 45 minutes longer than it needs to be, thankfully today I was the interested debut visitor and upon departure in the town a brief look around ensued.  Revealing the old town hall, a selection of practical shops alongside boutique type emporiums led this to being a functional and smart town rather than any stand out features being present.  However the cricket club was back in action and had a picturesque ground with pavilion but the blustery winds were increasing and it was far to cold to hang about for more than a few deliveries.

NEW ATCOST AT THE BUSINESS END

Heading out towards the ground and passing the Morrison's and Waitrose, who interestingly more or less share buildings never mind car parks, they are that close, Dunley Way is arrived on and towards the far end a private approach road leads to todays destination of Lutterworth Town FC.
Admission and programme purchased a quick circuit was taken up first and the ground is a fairly easy one to describe the near touchline has a 'home built' wooden stand with two rows of plastic base seats the walkway continues to the far goal which has no standing behind it.  Having craftily gone under the barrier to the far touchline this contains a walkway and two dug outs and back at the entrance end by the corner flag an Atcost stand for around 50 and behind it the clubs bar/snack bar and changing rooms, there is also a turnstile pay structure built into a recess.

FINE BIT OF TIMBER FOR AN ORIGINAL STAND ON THE HALF WAY LINE

The clubhouse is smart with lots of corporate orange and has a split bar/snack bar sadly there was no warm food I had avoided the takeaways in town and the gambled didn't pay off but a warming tea on this cold afternoon came in handy.  It was good before the start to meet Chairman Andy Dixon who had kindly responded to my text enquiry in the morning and an informative chat followed with himself and a couple of club officials alongside a former Burntwood supporter and official who is now a regular at Dunley Way.  The friendly nature of clubs often adds to the flavour of the trip some though amazingly cannot or don't want to do it here at Lutterworth they do and it made all the more difference for being warmly welcomed to their club, indeed during the afternoon there was a pleasant reception from many of the locals.

JUST PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BALL

Lutterworth Town finally found themselves back at Dunley Way in the town itself after a brief spell at Coventry Rd and previously Hall Park the former and the latter homes of the towns other club Athletic who seemed to take part in this musical chairs parade.  But hopefully now both clubs have their homes and slowly but surely Town have brought in two stands, developed floodlights and their hospitality facilities giving a small but homely feel to the club.

TOP SCORER AND CAPTAIN DAIRE

Last time out the big Lutterworth derby saw Town win 3-0 at Hall Park and claim promotion but today would be for the ultimate prize of the title slip up and Anstey Nomads could claim the honour.
By half time and four goals to the good the UCL officials car hovering around the area with the
trophy was well and truly on the highway to South Leicestershire.  A quick free kick after just three minutes caught nearly everybody out but for Small who latched onto it and fired home, Jamie Cooper lashed home a lose ball from just inside the box to make it 2-0 and by the interval Daire had added a couple more to make this a comfortable procession now for the home side.

COOPER CELEBRATES TOWNS SECOND GOAL

Half time brought irony to the fore something match officials probably don't register with and on a increasingly windy and cold afternoon both teams were eager to get on with proceedings and had left the changing rooms and on the pitch ready to re-start by 4pm.  Of course officials being just that had probably not heard 30 players plus managers and coaches leave the changing rooms beside them and finally ventured out at around 4.05pm to loud cheers and applause.  It beggars belief at times but of course half time is fifteen minutes and we are having it lads, rules are rules.

BIRSTALL CLEAR THEIR PENALTY BOX UNDER PRESSURE

Within four minutes of the second half beginning Birstall looked ready to start the great comeback when Nathan Turner produced a lovely chip to pull a goal back and for a while Lutterworth
seemed to have lost a little impetus however within this passage Small could easily have added to his tally having the ball cleared off the line three times.  But top scorer Daire completed his hat trick even adopting a cheeky staggered penalty.
There was still time for Lutterworth to add a seventh in the closing minutes thanks to William Cooper and it should have been eight for moments earlier Kade Lewis had taken a second penalty but tried an awful soft chip past the keeper who guessed correctly to red face the player thankfully goal difference was not to be a factor today.

LUTTERWORTH HOLD THE BALL UP GREAT CONTROL

The final whistle brought about scenes of joy only experienced by a select few teams at the end of long hard seasons that most clubs will endure many times but for today and 2018/19 it is Lutterworth Town who would deserve the recognition for their achievements with the presentation of the league championship trophy and a quiet night in with the TV I'm sure followed for these reserved players and officials!
Always a pleasure to see a clubs joy its always easier when you are wining but hopefully most of the side can stop together for a new challenge at step 5 next season for a club that had a nice welcoming feel about it.