Barnesalona League
Lokomotiv Londres FC 5 v Said 0
Another game, another win, it's easy this game of football when you put your mind to it, isn't it!
A cold, frosty, foggy morning greeted the players as they arrived at the ground for this encounter against the Leagues bottom placed team, Said. The opposition were late as usual and Loko ensured that they prepared properly, adequately stretching, jogging and doing various ball skills. It then emerged that Said only had nine players as some of their others were stuck in traffic, so Paolo joined their team for the first half and made the numbers up to ten. About 20 minutes into the game their further player arrived and we finally managed to get eleven-a-side.
Jules had a full squad of fifteen players to pick from, being injured himself, it fell to Steve Martin to play in goal, a back four of Johan, Ivan, Paul Dwinfour and Pete, right wing was Dave, left wing Alistair, and in the centre Doug and Dale, with Doug taking more defensive duties, allowing Dale to push forward and be more creative. A now familar front pairing of Andreas and Steve Whitely made up the numbers. The places on the bench went to Paul Kelly, Paolo, James and Mark, the latter kindly refereeing the first half with Doug refereeing the second. The revolving captaincy was this week given to Pete to control the game from the back.
The game started with Loko firmly on top, which was no surprise due to the numerical advantage, and good early possession created a couple of good chances and shots from Andreas, however neither had enough purchase to beat the goalkeeper. Doug and Dave were winning a lot of tackles in the centre and this enabled us to pick up the loose ball and continually attack them.
The first goal didn't take long in coming, it was a nice through ball by Dale for Andreas to chase towards the right corner of the box, he won the chase against the goalkeeper and swung a lovely ball over to the centre where Dale got in front of his marker and volleyed into the empty net from five yards. It was a smashing goal and settled the nerves of a Loko side that were now getting into their stride.
(Scorers from left to right: Andreas, Man of the Match Pete and Dale)
The second goal did not take long in coming as Alistair fed a through ball to Andreas who again beat the keeper to the ball and managed to pull down his pants while nutmegging him and sent the ball gleefully into the back of the net.
Two minutes later and Dale sent a lovely ball in between the centre back and full back for Dave to run on to and agonisingly hit the outside of the post. Still the chances continued and Alistair twice got himself into an excellent position down the left and fired one shot just over and another inches wide.
Said had not been an attacking force at all but five minutes before half-time a goalmouth scramble went to the edge of the area and a long range effort was superbly tipped over by Steve Martin in goal. A satisfactory half, but it could have been a lot better.
Half-Time Loko 2 v Said 0
Several changes were made at half-time and Jules encouraged us to produce more of the same. Paolo came on for Steve Whitely, Paul Kelly came on for Johan, and Doug made way for James who went out to the right wing, with Dave coming inside to play in the centre.
The second half started as the first had finished with Said pressing as they were two goals down, they did however fail to produce a single shot on target in the entire half as the Loko defence were on top from start to finish.
Loko weren't on the back foot for long and started to create chance after chance as the game widened and space appeared all over the park. Andreas and James were finding space in behind the defence and Andreas should have added to his tally on more than one occasion as he ran through on goal three or four times, only to be denied by the goalkeeper. Dave also had a long range effort tipped away at full stretch.
The next goal came from an unlikely source as Dale turned his man in midfield and sent a through ball for Pete who had come up from the back and made an excellent run down the left, he cut across the front of the defender and hit a shot from eighteen yards which bounced just in front of the keeper who mistimed his dive for the ball and it hit the back of the net.
The fourth soon followed as Andreas turned in the box and hit his shot into the bottom corner and followed that up with his third hat-trick in as many weeks as he ran clear and placed the ball into the corner, and the keeper could only stand and watch, rooted to the spot.
Mark made his debut for the club with around twenty minutes to go, replacing Paolo who had had a busy morning playing for both teams, James pushed up front and Mark went onto the right wing.
The game was peattering out, as it was over as a contest, and Loko had chances to increase their lead as they continually now found themselves with men over on each attack. It was a lack of composure and people not listening to calls which meant our tally was not increased, but Jules will be happy that we have come away with another win, and five goals that puts our goal difference in a positive position for the first time this season.
Back to playing Barnes again next week and we will need to raise our game and be prepared to battle once again. Well played lads!
Final Score Loko 5 v Said 0
Manager Julian Milne's comments:
"The contrast between the commitment and character shown by the respective squads could not have been more stark.
Cedric remarked pre-match that he wished all the teams could be as reliable as us. We were punctual, flexible, and ultimately all the players can be praised for demonstrating in various forms their commitment to the team and the league. Thanks to the guys who were prepared to referee the game and to Paolo for playing for Said's team in the first half. Well done everyone on that front and apologies for the delayed kick off. It reflects well on the club and it hasn't gone unnoticed amongst the other teams. Let's keep it up.
In terms of the performance it is hard to put the match into any kind of discernible focus. We started after a long warm-up against only nine men and we seemed a little disconcerted after a few missed opportunities. We were a bit nervy even after the first goal went in and I think perhaps we hesitated in the face of a team that had little shape or discipline but which was prepared to leave plenty of men to pile forwards if our attacks broke down. It was very much a question of getting the job done and enjoying our football.
Certainly the performance was much improved in the second half. We looked like we had warmed up and everyone was getting stuck in. We won nearly all the headers and played some attractive football at times. The defence was very solid and I thought as a unit we looked good. We kept our shape better when play broke down and if truth be told could have had plenty more goals.
Unlike our victories over Barnes this result cannot be used as a benchmark in terms of our progression on the pitch. However, we have won three on the trot now and lost only 1 of the last five. I want us to keep the run going and we know if we play to our potential we can get another result against Barnes on Sunday. Well played guys.
Man of the Match: A very close call between Dave (who I thought again displayed all the characteristics I am looking for in players - aggression, spirit, determination and energy) and Peter (who again dominated at the back and stepped up to the mark as captain) who just shades it in honour of his first Loko goal."
Team Line Up
1. Steve M
2. Johan
3. Ivan
4. Pete (c)
5. Paul D
6. Doug
7. Dave
8. Dale
9. Steve W
10. Andreas
11. Alistair
12. Paul K (Replaced Johan 45 Minutes)
13. James (Replaced Doug 45 Minutes)
14. Paolo (Replaced Steve W 45 Minutes)
15. Mark (Replaced Paolo 70 Minutes)
Goals:
Dale (1)
15th Minute - A ball played through by Dale enabled Andreas to get there before the keeper and float a lovely ball over for Dale to volley home from five yards.
Andreas (3)
30th Minute - A ball through by Alistair was coolly slotted through the keepers leg.
60th Minute - A neat turn in the area was hammered into the bottom corner.
65th Minute - Andreas ran clear and placed the ball calmly past a stranded Keeper.
Pete (1)
55th Minute - Dale turned his man in midfield and sent a through ball for Pete to run onto down the left wing, he cut inside and hammered the ball home from eighteen yards.
Match Report provided by Dale Mellor
