Barnesalona Cup
Lokomotiv Londres FC 4 v Barnes 3
What a difference a day makes…. whereas last week Loko finally got the result they had deserved, on Sunday they got the slice of luck that was also long overdue. Loko and Barnes locked horns once more in a rematch of the previous week’s game. As everyone predicted the game was a much tighter affair, with Barnes, bolstered by the return key players, out to avenge the 7-1 spanking, and Loko looking to get their cup campaign off the ground at last.
Despite all the talk of being ready to face the backlash from Barnes, Loko’s preparation for the match was dismal. Several players were late, and the ref arrived early, so the warm up and pre-match speech were both rushed. Slowing things down further was the fact that Auckland/Dave Argyll needed to borrow the blue kit, which the Loko players were already wearing, because they didn’t have changed colours of their own. This meant that they were actually wearing diverse elements of three different Loko kits, old and new. You know they protest and protest, but they just can’t hide the fact that they are in love with us.
The team lined up with Jules in goal, a back four of Rohan, Paul, Nick and Christophe behind a midfield quartet of Doug, Dave, Dale and Ali, and Steve partnered Andreas up front. Again numbers were high, with Adrian, Marc, Johan, Ivan, Paolo and Ismail all on the bench. The revolving captaincy moved on to Nick who came in for the absent Pete.
The match got underway after a well-observed two minutes silence for Remembrance Sunday. True to form Loko forgot all that had been said and played as if they carried the six goal lead into the new game. Barnes, with a point to prove and the wind in their sails as they played downhill, tore straight into the lacklustre Loko ranks with vigour. The warning shot came immediately as a nice series of passes put the Barnes man through but his angled shot went just the wrong side of the post. It went unheeded though, and just two minutes later Barnes were celebrating taking an early lead. Their attacker Stuart, who missed last week’s game, latched onto a long ball that eluded Paul and Nick and rounded Jules to finish calmly from fifteen yards. Loko 0-1 Barnes.
The goal seemed to have no effect at all upon the Loko players and for the next twenty minutes they weren’t at the races, only Jules’s goalkeeping and some desperate defending keeping Barnes out. Clear cut-chances were few and far-between but Barnes enjoyed a host of corners, and one shot from the edge of the box was well saved at the top corner by Jules, who had to react sharply after it took a deflection off Rohan’s boot.
Playing uphill and under constant pressure to defend, Ali and Doug on the wings were unable to orchestrate any rapid counter attacks, but Loko did eventually drag themselves back into the game. The second of two corners in rapid succession was put straight at the keeper by Steve. Although he couldn’t hold it no Loko players were on hand to poke it home. As Loko began to compete the game became rather fractious. The ref had set an early precedent, giving away a lot of free kicks, and he was obliged to stick to that in the interests of fairness; as a result the game didn’t flow at all and several players on both sides were unhappy – Dale and Steve both managed to talk their way into the book.
As half-time approached Barnes still had the upper hand and looked like increasing their lead. However it was Loko who nicked the crucial goal, against the run of play. Ali slipped the ball to Andreas (pictured above) at the edge of the box and he struck a straight drive goalwards. The keeper had it covered but the ball took a slight deflection off a defender which was just enough to wrong-foot him and the ball flew right into the middle of the net. Loko 1-1 Barnes. The Loko players knew they were very fortunate to be going in level at the interval.
Half-time Loko 1 v Barnes 1
Jules was not best pleased with his charges. For the first time in several matches he had cause to complain about the team’s effort and commitment, which should never be an issue – especially with so many people on the bench waiting for their chance. He finished off a furious speech with a warning about complacency and a set of vigorous instructions for the second half (including again something about bees). Ismail came on for Ali on the left and Paolo replaced Steve up front.
At the restart Loko immediately announced their belated arrival as a competitive force with a series of real challenges, and from then on the game became the classic Loko-Barnes dingdong scrap of yesteryear. It was Loko who drew first blood. Playing downhill created more room in midfield for the boys in white and a neat cross over the area was brilliantly volleyed into the top corner by Andreas. Loko 2-1 Barnes.
Barnes came straight back from the kick off and fared better attacking up the slope than Loko had. However this time there was to be no opening in the home defence and they were restricted to long-ranged efforts, all of which were comfortably dealt with by Jules. Loko then extended the lead, as Andreas, who, like last week, was finding space in and behind Barnes as they pushed forwards, received a through ball and finished smartly down the middle for his hat trick. Loko 3-1 Barnes.
Barnes were incensed, furious that their strong appeal for offside had gone unheeded by the ref. Immediately afterwards though it was Loko’s turn to feel aggrieved at a controversial decision as a Barnes attacker got into the box and threw himself to the ground over Paul’s leg. Paul and Christophe were adamant but the ref saw fit to award the penalty which was tucked away very well beyond Jules’ dive to bring Barnes back into the game. Loko 3-2 Barnes.
Within five minutes Loko had re-established the two goal cushion as Paolo found Andreas who rounded the keeper and finished in a carbon copy of Barnes’ opener. Loko 4-2 Barnes. Again Barnes came back at Loko and once more dragged themselves back into it with another controversial goal; this time a high ball from a cross was only half dealt with by Jules, and as the ball came down he was bundled into the net by the Barnes player allowing his buddy to knock it into the empty goal. Once again the ref turned a blind eye, making for a nail biting finish to the match. Loko 4-3 Barnes.
Barnes through the kitchen sink at the Loko defence, with Loko once more restricted to the counter attack. Andreas missed a couple of chances to add to his already considerable tally, and Dave and Dale had a few wild pops from long range. However it was at the other end where the action was. Johan had come on for Doug to add some extra energy to the defence, which was clinging on to the lead for dear life. Paul soldiered on despite a thigh injury, and kept Barnes at bay whenever the ball was played long. Dale took charge at the corners, attacking the ball and delegating his marking duties to Paolo and Dave who dropped to help. Christophe and Nick made some crucial tackles and Rohan blocked twice on the line. Jules made the save of the match low at his near post when the Barnes man ghosted in to strike from six yards.
Eventually the final whistle blew to end another fiercely competitive but good natured game between these two sides that have come a long way since they shared the bottom spots of the league this time last year. Loko were fortunate, but were due the rub of the green after all those times last year when it seemed to go Barnes’ way. Both sides were feeling hard done by after certain decisions but these evened themselves out over the course of the game. The players can take heart from their spirited resistance, but need to learn the lessons of the first half. Andreas bailed us out this time lads, but he can’t always be there!
Final Score Loko 4 v Barnes 3
Manager Julian Milne's comments:
"Back to back victories have enabled us to climb both the league and our group table in the cup. The turnouts have been great and hopefully the foundations are in place for a successful season.
I think Barnes represent the standard of football in this league and it is pleasing to have beaten them twice in succession and establish ourselves as a decent side. However, if we are to compete at the very top of the league with the likes of SW6, WWK and Munchen we will have to improve still further.
I let my feelings be known about our first half performance on Sunday and I was pleased to get a reaction out of the lads. Over-confidence was an obvious trap to fall into after a hefty victory the previous week and we certainly weren't prepared either mentally or physically for an improved Barnes performance.
Now we must avoid making the same mistake when we play bottom of the table Said on Sunday. We have to impose ourselves on the game physically and get back to the basics that helped us play so well two weeks ago. Namely, being competitive in the air and playing at a high tempo in the oppositions half.
I am desperate for another win and I hope everyone is up for it on Sunday.
Man of the Match: Andreas - An obvious choice with four goals, but also led by example with his work rate. A great all round performance."
Team Line Up
1. Julian
2. Rohan
3. Christophe
4. Paul
5. Nick (c)
6. Dale
7. Doug
8. Dave
9. Steve
10. Andreas
11. Alistair
12. Johan (Replaced Doug 75 Minutes)
13. Ismail (Replaced Alistair 45 Minutes)
14. Paolo (Replaced Steve 45 Minutes)
Goals:
Andreas (4)
45th Minute - A long range effort from outside the area took a deflection past the keeper.
55th Minute - A right wing cross was superbly volleyed home from the edge of the area.
60th Minute - Andreas ran on to a through ball and coolly slotted home.
75th Minute - A flicked header by Paolo sent Andreas clear again to round the keeper and score.
Match Report provided by Rohan Tesh.
