Barnesalona League
Madras 2 v Lokomotiv Londres FC 4
A great comeback in horrid conditions on Sunday saw Loko eventually beat a Jekyll and Hyde Madras team by four goals to two. Despite the crazily charged atmosphere created by the turbulent elements and the presence of both Police and Ambulance following SW6’s latest contribution to the Barnesalona spirit, the match was a thoroughly enjoyable and friendly affair throughout.
As the players warmed up they were harried by a bitter wind that was married to heavy rain the moment the match began. The pitch quickly became a quagmire that made the surface for the Celtic game look like the hallowed turf at Kingsmeadow. Slide tackles were the order of the day, naturally, but the passing on display from both teams was of a remarkably high quality in the circumstances. Loko lined up with Ismail in goal, Rohan, Pete, Paul and Ivan in defence, and a midfield of Adrian, Dale, Jules and Christophe. James and Roger B-B started in attack. Dave and Nick began the game on the bench, and were subsequently joined there by Stefan.
(Scorers Left to Right: Dave, Julian and James)
It was your classic ‘classic game of two halves’. Madras began the brighter of the two sides, knocking the ball about with confidence and exploiting the huge space between Loko’s defence and midfield. Ismail’s goal survived numerous scares, including a powerful drive that hit the bar, before the deadlock was broken after about 15 minutes. A simple long throw was flicked on into the six-yard box, and the Madras centre forward managed to get across Dale and gently head the ball across goal and into the net.
It wasn’t long before the lead was doubled. Despite a reasonable common effort from Loko to close down Madras’ attractive attacks they continued to look dangerous. What had been on the cards became hard currency when another slick move ended with the ball passed into the net as the Loko defence, dragged all over the place, struggled to keep its shape.
It could have been worse; Madras dominated right up to half time, and almost scored a third when a corner was headed down towards the far past, a position that Rohan had for some reason vacated prematurely. Luckily for the full back he managed to stick out a leg and glance it wide. Loko trotted over to the touchline at the break asking themselves how Madras had only managed to gather four points all season.
Half Time Madras 2 v Loko 0
Their answer came in the second half. After a brief but ‘to the point’ talk from Jules, in which he refused to be riled by his charges’ incompetence, Loko came out and took the fight straight to the curry eaters. Perhaps they had over-indulged the night before and the vindaloos were coming back to haunt them; in any case Madras folded like a pack of cards when Loko finally got a grip on the game. Adrian moved to left wing, with Dave taking his place on the right and Christophe making way. Nick replaced Ivan at left back.
The engine drivers signaled their intent soon after the interval, when Roger Barnes-Barrington struck the crossbar with a good snap shot. As in the first half, this heralded a series of attacks that brought about the goals. Jules bagged the first, and his first of the season, on about 55 minutes, with a great looping shot from 25 yards that went over the keeper’s head with some pace. Good strike!
The second and third goals, both of which were greeted with wild cheers as Loko first drew level and then went ahead, were brainchildren of the same architects and executioners. Both involved great work from Roger charging down the right and knocking an inviting ball across the face of the goal; James tucked both neatly away at the far post. The ultimate goal poacher applauded the fans as he jogged off to allow Stefan a crack.
I don’t know what exactly caused the complete turnaround, but certainly Dale and Jules bossed the centre thoroughly, whereas Madras had lost their Mojo. They still came at the Loko back line, but by now their passes were easily cut out. Clearly a team used to losing (boy do we know about that), their shoulders slumped the minute Loko equalized, and from that moment it seemed as though there could only be one outcome.
Dave put the seal on a fine comeback about five minutes from time after good work from Jules in the middle. After turning his man inside out the boss played a simple pass to the right winger, who ran unopposed into the box before sending a fierce shot across the keeper which cannoned in off the far post before hitting the back of the net.
Good stuff in the end from Loko, although they made heavy weather of it. And fair play to Madras; a very pleasant bunch of chaps they are too.
Final Score Madras 2 v Loko 4
Manager Julian Milne's comments:
"Well, so much to take from the game both good and bad. There are two sides to the team and we certainly got to see both extremes on Sunday.
Several key issues -
- We have a tendency to play better in the second half of matches. We need to start with a better tempo and not let the impetus of our performances be determined by psychological factors induced by conceding a goal or being behind. (Or fitness factors I might add)
- We need a more consistent standard of performance. One week poor, the next on fire. One half great and one half bad. Fluctuating levels of performances can to a certain extent be explained by variants such as player availability and preparation, but when the fluctuation occurs in the same match with the same players there are perhaps other elements at play.
- If we get to half time against WKK on Sunday 2-0 down we will lose.
Right now for some positives!
- The second half produced the best football since I have become manager.
- The passing was great, the understanding between the players was excellent and our finishing top notch. But you cannot disassociate creative play and work rate. Every one fought for every ball and the commitment was exceptional. Dale was a different player in the second half, commanding the game with his physical presence and range of passing. He wasn't alone. James was outstanding. His first touch effortless and his link up play providing the perfect foil for Roger's electric runs in behind the back four. His two goals were well deserved. We saw how much we miss Dave when he is not playing and he really made a difference in the second half. That is just to pick out a few individuals but in reality everyone played really well for 45mns.
- The last and perhaps most important point to make is in relation to team spirit. We were being outplayed in the first half pure and simple and it was nice to see that we didn't implode or degenerate in our behaviour. That would have undermined any attempts to turn the match round and is a perfect example of how a mature team can deal with frustration and turn it into a positive. The team showed its character today. Well done lads.
Man of the match: James (Pictured)"
Team Line Up
1. Ismail
2. Rohan
3. Ivan
4. Pete
5. Paul D (c)
6. Julian
7. Adrian
8. Dale
9. James
10. Roger
11. Christophe
12. Nick M (Replaced Ivan 45th Minute)
13. Dave (Replaced Christophe 45th Minute)
Goals:
Julian (1)
55th Minute - A ball broke lose on the edge of the area and Jules flighted the ball over the keeper from 20 yards.
James (2)
75th Minute - A lovely ball across the area was turned in at the back post.
80th Minute - Another ball across the area was hit home from the back side of the six yard box.
Dave (1)
85th Minute - Julian fed Dave a ball in behind the full back which he latched onto and hammered the ball across the goalkeeper and in off the post.
Match Report to be provided by Rohan Tesh.
