Barnesalona Cup
South Auckland Rangers 2 v Lokomotiv Londres FC 2
A strong Loko line-up took to the field to play Auckland for the second time this season. The last time these sides met was Loko’s first (and so-far only) win of the campaign, running out worthy 3-1 winners. It turned out that that was Auckland’s only defeat up to this point which baffled the Loko players because the Kiwis were by far the weakest of the sides they had faced thus far, but it soon became apparent that South Auckland Rangers are now an amalgam of the better players of two of last year’s teams, Auckland and the banished Dave Argyle. Now with a full squad and fresh from a surprise 5-2 win over WKK, they went into the match as favourites to take the points and gain revenge over the brave and bonny Loko lads.
The Loko team sheet was the strongest yet, on paper, that manager Julian had had to pick from. He once again donned the no.1 jersey himself (he’ll never get rid of it now), and Rohan, Paul, Nick and Ivan lined up in defence. Dale, returning from a couple of games out was pushed forward into midfield in the holding role to add some physical and vocal clout where it had previously been lacking. He was partnered in the engine room by new recruit Aubrey who was hoping to fill that semi-pro sized hole left by Roger. Dave returned on the right wing and Stephane, perhaps the find of the season so far, slotted in on the left. And finally Julian had some options in attack (!) with Mark returning from a long-term injury to rejoin his Tournoi strike partner Andreas, and the master Steve Whitely returning at long last in a stretched limo to take up a place on the bench alongside Adrian.
The pitch suddenly looked wintry after two weeks of rain and that added to the strong squad made it feel like the opening exchanges were over and the season was beginning in earnest. The match kicked off with league chairman Cedric in charge and Loko at last seemed in the mood to compete from the off. Both sides were clearly up for the challenge and every ball was fiercely contested. Loko seemed a different class with a powerful new midfield and quickly reaped the rewards. A smart through ball from midfield sent Andreas (pictured below) clean through and he clipped his shot neatly over the keeper and into the far corner for 1-0.
Unbowed, Dave Arg- I mean Auckland – charged straight back at Loko and enjoyed a spell of pressure that culminated in their equaliser. Several attacks were repulsed before one resulted in a corner. The ball was cleared at the near post but only as far as the Auckland no.11 waiting near the edge of the box. He swung the ball back across the six-yard box, just eluding Dale’s head; the Loko defence stepped up and the ball fell neatly at the feet of the kiwi striker who sent a bobbling shot just past Julian who got a finger to it.
The Loko of old would have let their heads drop after such an immediate setback, but the current incarnation went on to dominate the rest of the first half. Mark was sent clear but his effort was gathered by the keeper, as was his shot on the turn from a knockdown after a corner. He was then forced to hobble off after a challenge around the half-hour mark; Steve took his place and soon showed that his classy first touch hasn’t deserted him, dictating the pace of the attack and dropping deep. Andreas was sent through on a couple of occasions but each time the Auckland players ran in front of him and round him like, bees swarming around…around…. I can’t remember what it was that Paul Richardson (Ex-Manager) said bees swarm around.
Aubrey, chasing hard in the middle, almost caught out the opponents’ keeper with a sharp drive from 30 yards that skimmed just the wrong side of the post and Steve managed to play the ball along the goal line from a yard out into the keepers hands when the goal looked certain. Loko went in at the break enjoying the contest but slightly disappointed to be level.
Half-time South Auckland Rangers 1 v Loko 1
In his pre-match speech Julian had focused on commitment in the challenge and header, and made it clear that first-team spots would go to those who put in the effort for the team. He was well pleased that his words had been heeded, and with the first-half performance in general, and thus switched the focus onto the players’ belief that they could pull off a win. With the team working well there were no substitutions.
Again Loko flew in the face of time-honoured tradition and actually made good on their half-time intentions. They piled forwards and put Auckland under intense pressure. Andreas was hauled down in the box but the appeal was waved away. Aubrey went close with a shot from the left. Steve headed straight at the keeper from a corner. Dale caught a volley sweetly from close range but the keeper got a foot to it. The goal finally came when Andreas wriggled free and this time placed his shot under the keeper from 12 yards.
Then the sun came out and the wheels fell off. Loko’s energy levels fell, despite Adrian coming on for Stephane. Auckland spent the final half-hour entrenched in the Loko half. Only a string of excellent saves from Julian kept Loko in it. Auckland were also guilty of sending several shots over the bar. After one particularly good save by Julian, the old Dave Argyll left back screamed “You fu*ki*g jammy c*nts” which made the rest of both teams roll around in fits of laughter, but the fact of the matter was that we were not being lucky, it was good goalkeeping, the same as their keeper had played for the first sixty minutes.
Auckland finally scored with the last action of the game, a looping header into the top corner finally beating Julian. It was galling to concede in such a manner but on balance a draw was a fair result in a hard-fought see-saw match. However if Loko can keep this squad together they should be in decent shape for the coming fixtures. Next up is Auckland in the league at Barnes Common and another match like this one will keep the pundits purring.
Final-Score South Auckland Rangers 2 v Loko 2
Manager Julian Milne's comments:
"It was hard not to come away from the game feeling like we had lost. Conceeding a goal deep into injury time is always hard to take but it is important to emphasise the importance of getting a result, albeit a draw, against a really decent Auckland side.
I want the team to progress every week and look at any areas where we can improve. We have stopped conceeding goals from set pieces and on Sunday the players addressed one of the issues that has been concerning me - players not being able to adapt their games to the physical requirements of Sunday league football. For sixty minutes we did that. We were strong, Dale and Aubrey dominating the midfield, and all over the pitch players were getting stuck in. That now has to become the watermark not the exception. This team has great potential, but to fully develop it must contain players who are committed and focused week in week out.
That brings me to the issue of fitness. For the last 20 minutes we looked shattered and it is clear that certain players are not 'match' fit. I spoke about it after the match but it is relevant to all the members of the squad. We have gone flat in several games towards the end and it is obvious why. Not many players showed the commitment I was looking for when I organised the pre-seson training sessions and that lack of enthusiasm for the more demanding aspects of playing for the club seems to be far reaching. Can everyone please make the effort to get into shape so that we can start playing to our potential. A jog or visit to the gym every now and then please! again it comes back to your commitment to playing football and the club.
To end on a positive note, I thought it was a much improved performance and I was encouraged by many players adapting their games and playing well. A good debut from Aubrey and two more goals from our super striker. It was nice to see Steve back in the colours. I am looking forward to the rematch and I think we will get another result."
Team Line Up
1. Julian
2. Rohan
3. Ivan
4. Nick
5. Paul (c)
6. Dale
7. Dave
8. Aubrey
9. Mark
10. Andreas
11. Stephane
12. Steve (Replaced Mark 30 Minutes)
13. Adrian (Replaced Stephane 65 Minutes)
Goals:
Andreas (2)
25th Minute - Ran clear behind the defence and tucked the ball neatly over the keeper into the empty net.
60th Minute - Once again wriggled free of the defence and hit the ball low into the bottom corner.
Match Report provided by Rohan Tesh.
