Match Report - Loko v West Ken Kings

Sunday 18th December 2005
Barnesalona Cup

Lokomotiv Londres FC 2 v West Ken Kings 3

“Twas the Sunday before Christmas and those who were up, pulled on their boots and bowed out of the cup” – so goes the rhyme, and Loko’s trophy-less 2005 came to an end taking another set of cup hopes with it. In all honesty the signalmens’ hopes of progressing from the group were all but dead going into Sunday’s game but a win would have just about kept them in the hunt. However the chances of this happening looked slim as Loko once again lined up with no strikers against top-of-the-table opponents, against whom they had never managed so much as a draw.

To everyone’s surprise what ensued was an extremely close, hard fought encounter, which could have gone either way. Two soft goals were what cost Loko in the end, although before we slap ourselves too hard on the backs it must be said that WKK were also missing key players.

This time two weeks ago Jules still had a surplus of players but the onset of winter has really whittled the squad down to the diehards. From the thirteen last week only eleven, the bare minimum, were lined up to face the cold this time. Unable to experiment Jules opted for a standard 4-4-2, with Ismail once again looking sharp between the sticks, Rohan, Pete, Paul and Ivan at the back and Adrian, Doug, Dale and Nick in the middle. With no strikers for the second week in a row (where are you guys???) Jules and James began the game in attack. The revolving captaincy passed on to Doug.

Another beautiful but icy cold morning had left pitch three practically frozen solid; falling on it cut the knees open as if it were gravel on a primary school playground. WKK won the toss and picked first one end, then the other. Loko started off out of the sun and slightly downhill. Predictably the early impetus was with Kings as they looked to cement their place in the semis, and they created two good early chances for Hamed, who put a header just wide and missed with a lob over Ismail when it seemed easier to score. However Loko soon established themselves in the game with Pete utterly dominant at the back, bringing to mind a young Tony Adams, or Martin Keown in his Villa heyday. Doug and Dale got stuck in, breaking up the WKK attacks that were concentrated through the middle.

By contrast Loko began to cause havoc down the wings, with both Adrian and Nick on fine form, interchanging with Jules and James who both dropped deep. The Kings full backs seemed to have difficulty coping with the Loko pressure, and it told after about twenty minutes. Jules swung across a corner and Adrian jumped at the near post to flick it on across the goalmouth to the edge of the box, where it was picked up by James. With his back to goal, he shielded the ball and chested it down before spinning and shooting on the turn. It snuck through a throng of players from both sides and nestled in the far corner – a great first goal for James (pictured below), and a deserved lead for the signalmen.




Loko, hopefully having learnt from their (multitudinous) mistakes, didn’t take their foot of the gas. They continued to press, and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession for the rest of the half. Dale had a couple of chances: the first came when another corner was floated in by Jules and the club vice-captain rose above the defence, only to put his header just wide of the far post. The second was classic Loko as Dale took a swing at a loose ball but connected only with his standing foot – luckily at that moment a flock of geese flew over, distracting everyone, and sparing Dale’s blushes.

Loko then carved out their best chance; Rohan picked up the ball on the half way line and played it in to Doug in the centre, who passed left once more to Nick. The winger dribbled past his man before cutting back and sending a low cross into the six-yard box. Jules lunged and got in front of his man, making a good connection at full stretch, but the ball flew just over.

Loko were made to pay for not making the most of their dominance when, from a Loko corner, Kings managed to nick an equalizer. The ball was headed out of the Kings area to Hamed; with only Rohan back covering he was easily able to square it to another onrushing attacker. Nevertheless the Loko defence managed to get back in time to force him wide, but unfortunately his shot skidded on the icy ground in front of Ismail and the ball managed to slip under him at his near post. The clock ran down to half-time with Loko disgruntled to be level, something none of us would have predicted!

Half-Time Loko 1 v West Ken Kings 1

Loko were beginning to realise that despite a depleted squad, the team out on the field was more than matching the league leaders. Julian called on his men to keep demonstrating their battling qualities and attacking verve. With no substitutes the same eleven took to the field in an unchanged formation. With the festive break approaching and an afternoon of food football and booze in the offing the guys were clearly out to enjoy this dead rubber, a fact that was reflected in the nature of the performance. The passing was crisper and everyone seemed on good form, enjoying their football.

The second half started in the same way as the first with Loko looking dangerous on the break, Nick in particular getting forwards at every opportunity and slipping into an unaccustomed left wing role with ease. James was having his best game for the club and his good first touch and distribution were to trouble WKK throughout.

The match flickered between moments of incisive passing and scrappy battles for possession. But as it progressed Loko’s lack of fitness began to tell on the now heavy soggy pitch, the icy film having been burnt off by the rising sun and the two teams sporting endeavour.

The next goal was always going to be crucial and it fell to WKK via an unfortunate deflection. After a nice break from the royals their winger pulled the ball back to an advancing team mate on the edge of the area. He pulled the trigger and cashed in as his shot deflected off a defender past Ismail’s despairing lunge.

Having lost their lead in two successive matches Loko were mentally against the ropes and in need of some inspiration. And it wasn’t long in coming.

No sooner had the leaves settled on the WKK lead than James was turning adroitly on the edge of the box and laying the ball out wide to Adrian. His low ‘fizzing’ cross was in the awkward space between defenders and keeper and the only way out for one of the K’s stoppers was to toe-poke it with precision into the corner of his own net. Two all and game on.

The result was not to fall Loko’s way however as another soft goal came knocking and this time Ivan answered the door, dwelling on the ball and losing possession to one of the King’s men. From the ensuing attack the decisive goal was scored. Perhaps an unfair result and a harsh blow for the loyal 11 who had turned up when others had faltered. They were to show that character with a death rattle comprising of a 5 minute onslaught in the King’s half. Paul Dwinfour valiantly got forwards with Pete and most of the back line. Long throws and set pieces darted in but Dale’s header flew just wide and Julian’s volley from inside the D was tipped away by the opposing keeper.

And so the curtain came down on the year’s play and everybody seemed in good cheer, choosing to focus on the performance rather than the result, as well as the prospect of a charge at the league after the festive break.

Final Score Loko 2 v West Ken Kings 3

Manager Julian Milne's comments:

None Provided.

Team Line Up
1. Ismail
2. Rohan
3. Ivan
4. Pete
5. Paul
6. Doug (c)
7. Adrian
8. Dale
9. James
10. Julian
11. Nick

Goals:
James (1)
30th Minute - A corner was swung in by Jules, flicked on by Adrian and James created space to score from five yards out.
Own Goal (1)
James knocked the ball wide, a low driven cross by Adrian was sliced into his own goal by the Kings defender.

Match Report provided by Rohan Tesh and Julian Milne.

Match Report - Loko v Munchen

Sunday 11th December 2005
Barnesalona League

Lokomotiv Londres FC 3 v Munchen 3

Sunday was Loko’s third crack at Munchen this season and, after two frustrating 2-1 reverses it was a case of ‘third time lucky’. Despite being without any of our four strikers and missing our two first-choice centre halves Loko dug deep and were rewarded with a draw: three shots, three goals – now that’s efficiency. Munchen will be disappointed with the result after dominating the match and never having conceded as much as a point to the railwaymen in four previous meetings prior to Sunday. There were a few tears at the final whistle as news filtered through that it also cost them their place at the top of the table. We all agreed that they had probably been licking their lips at the prospect of a tasty victory and ended up choking on a gristly stalemate.

The increasingly wintry weather seems at last to be taking its toll on the squad with only thirteen shivering souls limbering up on the frosty, foggy pitch before kick off. With Jules still unable to keep goal due to his hand injury and Steve Martin absent Ismail pulled on his favourite old colourful jersey. Rohan and Ivan were full-backs with Dale and Nick covering for Pete and Paul. Jules had no choice but to go for a 4-5-1 formation, with Doug as the holding midfielder, Adrian and James in the centre and Ali and Dave as wingers. The manager himself played as a lone striker, with Christophe and Paul Kelly on the bench.

The match was on pitch two with its unhelpful slant and Rohan, captain for the day, opted to play uphill first, out of the sun, after winning the toss. Loko weren’t quite as slow out of the traps as usual and managed to keep Munchen out during the opening barrage. The defence were playing well, winning headers and shutting out the Munchen forwards, although in the opening period those guys did twice send powerful efforts either side of the Loko goal. Their best early chance came when, after a scramble at the edge of the area, one Munchen player was left with the goal at his mercy, but his shot went straight at Rohan who was covering on the line and who managed to deflect it wide. Shortly afterwards the ball broke again, this time to the giant Munchen midfielder, who drove it low at the corner - but Ismail got down quickly to keep it out.

After about 25 minutes though the chances seemed to dry up as the Loko midfield began to shake off their hangovers and put a foot in. James, Doug and Adrian started to win a few headers but also crucially a greater share of the second ball. The catalyst for Loko’s attack came from the heart of defence. Nick picked up the ball just on the left hand corner of the box and went on a mazy run down the left, playing a double one-two with Ali before crossing the ball to Jules. Although they snuffed out Loko’s attacks Munchen seemed to run temporarily out of ideas and squandered their majority share of possession by pumping long balls into the corners; meat and drink to the Loko back line.

The reward for tenacity came five minutes before half time. After a small period of pressure Jules laid the ball off in the centre about 25 yards out. Sprinting onto it ahead of the Munchen midfield and facing the corner flag Dave (pictured below) struck it sweetly with the outside of the boot and everyone stood and watched as the ball traced an incredible parabola and nestled between keeper and post. A better version of his strike in the thrashing of Barnes, it surely ranks as goal of the season so far – people were even hanging out of their windows along Rocks Lane cheering and clapping, and somewhere a dog was barking for joy!



And more was to follow. Barely two minutes later Jules again provided the platform when, as he shaped to shoot, he was brought down on the edge of the area. No one was about to argue as Dave took charge of the free kick; spotting that the wall was in completely the wrong place he blazed the ball straight at the exposed left hand side of the goal. The keeper flung himself over and got a hand to it but could only help it on its way. Amidst the renewed barking and cheering the Loko players steeled themselves, and the remaining three minutes until the interval were played out with no scares.

Half time Loko 2 v Munchen 0

Both sides were clearly stunned at the score line going into the break. The Loko players looked at each other wishing the match could end there and then. Despite looking forward to playing downhill there was a degree of trepidation at the prospect of a 45-minute total onslaught. Manager Jules reminded the players of the disadvantage they were at with the depleted squad, and that they were ahead against the meanest defence in the league. The full backs were instructed to stay back at all times and the midfield to continue disrupting the flow of play in a bid to frustrate Munchen. Paul Kelly came on for James in midfield.

As expected Munchen came storming straight up the hill looking sharper already. Loko, determined to defend their lead, sat too deep up at the top for all the world like a jealous dung beetle on top of his hoard. Munchen realised that they could play the ball around in the Loko half and their cutting edge was back. Loko had hardly any possession and created virtually nothing. Dale led the defence by example, winning everything in the air, and both he and Jules kept Ismail’s goal safe at the corners. Loko battled manfully for ten minutes, but just when it seemed as though Munchen might be frustrated they made the breakthrough. A speculative through ball was picked up by their captain and no.10, who shrugged off two challenges and burst into the area before walloping the ball into the far corner.

Five minutes later and Munchen were level. A long throw was flicked on into the area; Loko failed to properly track their players and were dragged all over the place leaving the no.10 to claim his second with a simple cross-goal header. Loko’s heads didn’t go down though, and they continued to compete. Paul K added some freshness to the midfield and seemed to be on the ground scrapping at every opportunity. Nevertheless Munchen weren’t to be denied and the continued pressure told yet again. This time it was a low cross from the right that left the defence standing like statues and the Munchen man danced through to tap home at the near post.

Now the fight seemed to leave Loko, and as Munchen looked to kill off the game it was only two individual stops that kept Loko in the hunt. Firstly a far post cross that was headed powerfully back across the six yard box was cleared off the line by Ali who had to react sharply to get his head to it. Soon afterwards a snap shot - heading straight for the top corner - was superbly saved by Ismail who had only a split second to see it. As Loko continued to cling to Munchen’s coat tails resolve began to return to the side and Jules threw his weight around up front in an effort to create an opening. He also threw himself balls out into the path of a clearance and play was briefly suspended – but then Jules only has one speed: balls out.

As the game neared its conclusion and with Loko still trailing 3-2 Jules ran into the box and was brought down. The ref decided not to give the penalty but justice was not to be denied. The corner that had seemed such scant consolation was cleared only as far as Dale on the edge of the box, who unleashed his frustration with a powerful drive that cut straight through the crowd of bodies and pinged off the foot of the man on the post and in. Celebrations were short as Loko, not believing their good fortune, knuckled down for the final five. These passed frenetically but without major incident as Munchen seemed over-eager and snatched at their shots. The ref finally blew for full time leaving the Loko players jubilant and their Bavarian counterparts dejected.

Jules was full of praise for Loko’s obdurate defence and refusal to capitulate, and was delighted with a result that any of us would have taken going into the game - despite the loss of a two goal lead. As a Brucey bonus the news came through that Barnes had failed to beat Hendrix FC and were thus still below Loko on goal difference, with the Loko vs. Madras game still to be played. Hot stuff!

Next up an essentially dead rubber in the cup against WKK, followed by the Xmas lunch, and a well-earned two-week break.

Final Score Loko 3 v Munchen 3

Manager Julian Milne's comments:

"I knew we were missing key players going into this game and with all our strikers out I had to alter the formation in accordance. Playing 4-5-1 isn't always a defensive set-up, especially if the two wide men push forwards. It makes it difficult for the opposition to break us down and with our defensive record I believed we had progressed enough this season to play a more 'tactical' match.

This worked in the first half as Munchen, for all their possession, didn't create many clear cut goal scoring chances. Both Dave's strikes were brilliant and put us in a great position at half time. The crucial thing at this level is how many cheap goals you concede. We and our opponents shared the best defensive record in the league and considering we lost our first match 7-1 that is quite an achievement and testimony to our improved form and organisation.

However, the second half was mediocre at best. Heads went down as soon as we conceded the first. The second and especially third goals were really soft and we just didn't have enough credit in the bank to let them in. More importantly, the spirit of the team simply isn't good enough on certain levels. I cannot fault the players for effort but in terms of vocal encouragement and body language we have a long way to go. When the tide was turning against us few players stood up to be counted although I could here the usual whinging remarks.

Everyone was frustrated when the match started to slip away. It's how you react to that frustration that is important. It is time to start supporting each other out on the pitch. I am determined to drill this into the guys and get the spirit right in the squad.

In terms of the result I was really pleased. Munchen were top of the league and it is the first time we have taken a point off them. We rode our luck at times but boy have we scored some belters this season.

Next week we play WKK and a good chance for us to pit ourselves against another top team and continue our development."

Team Line Up
1. Ismail
2. Rohan (c)
3. Ivan
4. Nick
5. Dale
6. Doug
7. Dave
8. Adrian
9. James
10. Julian
11. Alistair
12. Paul K (Replaced James 45 Minute)
13. Christophe

Goals:
Dave (2)
40th Minute - A brilliant bending shot that curved into the top corner from the edge of the box when under pressure from the defender.
42nd Minute - A powerful strike from a free kick on the edge of the box.
Dale (1)
80th Minute - A corner was only half cleared to the edge of the box where a low powerful drive squeezed through the crowded area into the bottom corner.

Match Report provided by Rohan Tesh.

Match Report - SW6 v Loko

Sunday 4th December 2005
Barnesalona League

SW6 0 v Lokomotiv Londres FC 2 (Loko Win by SW6 Default)

The points and a 2-0 victory were awarded Loko by the league, due to SW6 turning up extremely late with no regret or respect for their opponents.

The boys played out a 7-a-side game in its place. We apologise to those players who came from long distances to play, but it is back to action this coming Sunday against Munchen.

Report provided by Dale Mellor.

December Fixtures 2005

Sunday 4th December 2005
Barnesalona League
Pitch 3
SW6 v Lokomotiv Londres FC

Result: Won 2-0 (Due to SW6 default)

Sunday 11th December 2005
Barnesalona League
Pitch 2
Lokomotiv Londres FC v Munchen

Result: Drew 3-3

Sunday 18th December 2005
Barnesalona Cup
Pitch 3
Lokomotiv Londres FC v West Ken Kings

Result: Lost 3-2

Sunday 25th December 2005
No game as it is Christmas Day.

Lokomotiv Londres FC wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.