Letcombe failed to bounce back from last Saturday's disappointment against North Leigh United and once again second half goals made all the difference.

Manager David Richardson was missing keeper Danny Joyce, Chris Brind and Owen Shaw from last weekend but we still named a strong squad. Andy Shapland played in goal, Chris Hewitt started for the first time this season as did Jack Hamblin and we had Pat Howe back from injury on the bench.

Shapland was called into action very early on and showed his shot shopping credentials in the 7th minute. He made a sharp save diving backwards to turn a long range effort over the bar.

After a bright start from our hosts we gradually began to take control of the match. Just past the quarter of the hour mark, Richard Claydon was unlucky to see a free kick go just over the bar and we went close still three minutes later. A good counter attack from Letcombe resulted in striker Dan Hoskin seeing his sweetly truck shot cannon against the cross bar with the New College keeper no where near it. At the final whistle we would look back on that as being a potential match changing moment.

Luke Faircloth was next to go close on 31 minutes. His flying volley from distance was well saved by Lodge in the New College goal. At the other end a combination of Tom Stone, Matt Pill and Luke Stone kept New College out when we failed to deal with a corner. The ball struck the bar and we managed to keep the score at 0-0.

Five minutes from the break Shapland was again called into action and when the home side found space on our left, our keeper made a superb save to deny them a goal. On the stroke of half time, we lost Matt Pill to an injury and Pat Howe replaced him.

The opening goal of the game crucially came New College's way in the 51st minute. Jack Lowers cross come shot from the left looped into the top corner and the Swindon side were all of a sudden in the lead.

We actually responded really well to going behind and were left to wonder how we hadn't scored on 53 minutes. Adam Claydon whipped in a dangerous free kick from the left which thudded the bar. From the rebound, Jack Hamblin and a number of other players were inches away from forcing the ball over the line. Perhaps at that point it was clear it wouldn't be our day.

Luke Ballard came on for his second first team appearance, replacing Chris Hewitt after 67 minutes and as we chased the game, New College made sure of the win 12 minutes from time. Ben Lodge crashed a drive from the edge of the area into the roof of the net to wrap up the three points. Before the game re-started, Paul Farrell replaced Luke Faircloth.

The closing stages were frantic as we went in search of a goal but it certainly was - one of those days - and the run of the ball in the box didn't seem to go our way.

This was frustrating afternoon as although the effort of our players could not be faulted, the two goals were both avoidable. Manager David Richardson and the players will be determined to get back to winning ways quickly.

Letcombe: 1. Andy Shapland, 2. Matt Pill (12. Pat Howe 43), 3. Jack Hamblin, 4. Adam Claydon, 5. Andy Goodchild, 6. Luke Stone, 7. Tom Stone (c), 8. Luke Faircloth (14. Paul Farrell 77), 9. Dan Hoskin, 10. Richard Claydon, 11. Chris Hewitt (16. Luke Ballard 67). Sub Not Used: 15. Sean Webb