Captain's Corner - March 2006

A late March edition of Club Captain Paul Dwinfour's usual monthly take on recent events:

"In terms of achieving our target of a top half finish in the league, we no longer have destiny in our own hands. Recent results have been disappointing and whilst I don’t feel that we’ve completely lost our way, we have nonetheless been the architects of our own misfortune. Now is not the time to question our abilities and it’s up to us to show the desire to be as successful as we can.

Indeed, the pain of throwing potential victories away late on in successive league games must act as a positive spur for us to produce an all-round improvement in performance. We need to show more drive, more verve and a much more creative spark to get the better of a team such as Celtic.

But there’s still much to play for this season, we can still finish in the top half and in any case it would be good for the team to finish on a high by winning the final league fixture against a much-improved Said. One of the keys to success is keeping focus. The old cliché of taking each game as it comes makes sense for us. We should focus on each game and throughout each game right to the very end but without becoming nervous or edgy if we are in the lead or panicking and resorting to desperation if we need to chase a result.

The better the result we can achieve in this years league competition, the better it will be for us in future competitions including the Tournoi.

Let’s be determined and show our true character from now until the end of the tournament in Hungary and I’m sure we can reap some reward for our efforts."

Match Report - Celtic v Loko

Sunday 26th March 2006
Barnsalona League

Celtic 2 v Lokomotiv Londres FC 0

An enjoyable game played in the right spirit, saw Celtic emerge victorious by two goals to nil.

Loko have been suffering of late by the injuries and unavailability of the clubs strikers with Julian and James again playing out of position up front, when in reality they are both attacking midfielders.


Despite Celtic enjoying much more possession during the game the chances for each team were few and far between for the first 75 minutes, it wasn't until the last 15 minutes that Loko started to tire and gaps started appearing around the park.

Both goals conceded were scrappy with the first gifted them after the ball bounced out of Ismail's arms (pictured above) at the feet of the striker four yards out, and the second was blocked by Dale and then Ismail on the line before kindly landing two yards out for the striker to hit the back of the net.

Team Line Up
1. Ismail
2. Rohan
3. Alistair
4. Dale
5. Paul D (c)
6. Adrian
7. Dave
8. Christophe
9. Julian
10. James
11. Nick M

Match Report provided by Dale Mellor.

Match Report - Loko v Hendrix FC

Sunday 19th March 2006
Barnesalona League

Lokomotiv Londres FC 2 v Hendrix FC 3

A bitterly disappointing result against a poor side was the order of the day on a bright sunny morning at Barn Elms.

Despite playing the more attractive football and creating the better chances throughout the ninety minutes, failure to clear our lines combined with some defensive errors gifted Hendrix all three goals and in turn all three points.

A good workout for the gaffer (Julian, Pictured Above) who scored both goals with delightful runs and deadly finishes should have been enough for Loko, who were leading 2-1 with twenty minutes remaining.

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

Goals:
Julian (2)
30th Minute - He ran past to defenders and hit the shot into the top left corner.
40th Minute - He again ran down the left taking on defenders at will and hammered home into the bottom corner.

Match Report provided by Dale Mellor.

Weekend Report - Wickersley Old Village v Loko

Saturday 11th March 2006
Friendly

Wickersley Old Village 6 v
Lokomotiv Londres FC 1

The Trip Up!

Another successful trip!

Dale capped off a great weekend by scoring Loko’s consolation penalty and pulling a thirty-something bird, married with kids. An historic one-two! He had certainly had his Weetabix!

The weekend started in admirable Loko style. Pete didn’t make his 8.15 pick-up appointment so the minibus was delayed on its pick-up rounds. A total communication breakdown saw Loko set off eagerly about three-quarters of an hour late – a real motley crew of eight including chairman Bryan Furlong set to brave the elements.

It was a very jolly LokoBus that chugged off up the M1 with Ismail at the wheel. Good fun was had at Paul’s expense as we all marveled at the sheer brilliance of ‘that photo’. Well done again Dezza for being handy with the camera. The Bee-Gees dominated the airwaves making for a masculine trip. Numerous stops were made so that Ismail could ‘rob’ cash machines. It’s so easy – card in, money out - he’s been doing it for years!!!

The team arrived in Wickersley in good time. The best was still to come – the lovely pitches had been flooded so we rocked up at the rearranged venue to be confronted with a choice: play on a slope or dance round molehills. The slope was the clear winner, and the quality of the turf itself was fantastic, even if it made some of the soft southerners a bit seasick. To complete the scene the snow billowed down a few hours earlier than expected. It was picturesque, set against the backdrop of the hills, but bloody cold.

The Match!

The Loko line-up was as follows: Ian, taking time out from treasuring the Wragg League, returned very kindly between the sticks to help his son’s team out. Rohan, Ismail, Paul and Steve Martin formed the defence. Des and Jules were in centre-mid, with Dale's brother Ross playing left midfield, making it a real family affair and Bryan on the right. Adrian and Simon (friend of Ross) formed the attack.

The game was a good-natured affair, with the makeshift Loko eleven hopelessly outclassed. From the off Wickersley were all over the steamers like a rash. They were a very good side, clearly benefiting from regular football as a unit, set off by one or two very good players. The number ten in particular played brilliantly in ‘the hole’ and most of their attacks went through him. To their credit not once did they play a long ball, preferring to pass their way around a Loko team that were quickly exhausted.

The Loko players fought hard to keep the score respectable and held Wickersley to 2-0 at half time, with a long range effort by Dale pulled well off target and a cheeky lob by Julian easily saved by the keeper, the only chances of note for Loko, in a very one sided first half.

Half Time Wickersley Old Village 2 v Loko 0

The second half, playing uphill, saw the score creep up to its final resting place at 6-1. Dale’s penalty after a push on Dave (on loan from Wickersley in place of Bryan) was struck low to the right, getting Loko on the scoresheet and a small consolation. To be perfectly honest the ref must have been feeling sorry for the Rolling Stock – it was a very soft penalty.

Everyone on the Loko side made a great effort, having come all the way, but three players stood out with great displays: Ian made some fantastic full-stretch saves and marshaled his defence admirably; Adrian was a dynamo in attack, crazily chasing lost causes all over the pitch, and Paul had his best game of the season in defence, showing speed and tactical awareness that combined with Ian’s efforts to keep the score line down.

Thanks to Ian, Ross, Simon and Dave for bailing us out.

Final Score Wickersley Old Village 6 v Loko 1

The Night Out!

The hard work done, Loko headed over to Wickersley Cricket Club for ‘pie and peas’ instead of a warm-down. The locals were friendly and came up with an amusing selection of ‘southerner’ jokes including a raffle. The drinking had already kicked off in the van as Desree bust out the beers on the way over. Once the food was eaten the players migrated over to the pool table where an incredible run (of luck) saw Des and Rohan unbeaten in five games. [Ed - No luck, pure skill!]

To the hotel next and a well-deserved and badly needed shower for the players before the taxis arrived to take them into the lions de... – I mean Rotherham town centre. A pub/club crawl was the order of the day and after a couple of false starts and some greasy chicken Loko found their niche at the ‘Rotherham S&M/Bondage Bonanza Bar’ which Dale had scouted on a previous excursion. Like Sven he made sure it had everything, i.e. many scantily clad young women, most of who were dressed as playboy bunnies.

The more dignified members of the team saw the way the wind was blowing and scuttled back to the hotel at about midnight. The remainder went into the dance hall and drooled over the fairer sex for a couple of hours. Adrian, Jules and Rohan left at about half past one, with the place emptying out following a fire alarm shortly after. The diehards went on to another club that was a bit feeble, then gave up the fight and headed back. Somewhere along the way Dezza pulled the lovely Rosaline, and spent the rest of the trip pining for her and her fair demoiselles.

On returning to the hotel Jules and Rohan discovered that the Loko boardroom had been no slouches either! None of them would admit to the conquest but Paul, Ian, Ismail and Bryan had a couple of Northern lasses eating from the palms of their hands! The only question is – who won the jackpot? Eh fellas?

The Trip Home!

After a good night’s sleep the players boarded the bus and headed home. After the previous evening’s excesses the players were fairly quiet, preferring to listen to England being thrashed by France than sift through the weekend’s events. And who can blame them?

After a tasty pub lunch near Leicester the minibus trundled on down to London, and the players disembarked at Hanger Lane to catch the tube home. A great trip came to a close. Many thanks to Dale, Ian and everyone who had a hand in organizing it for the team.

A good dummy run for the tournoi!!!

Team Line Up
1. Ian
2. Rohan
3. Steve M
4. Ismail
5. Paul D (c)
6. Julian
7. Adrian
8. Dale
9. Simon
10. Bryan
11. Ross
12. Dave (Replaced Bryan 70 Minutes - Provided by Wickersley)

Goals:
Dale (1)
75th Minute - The penalty was hit low to the keepers right with the keeper diving the wrong way.

Weekend Report provided by Rohan Tesh and Photo's provided courtesy of Julian Milne.

Extra Photo's!

Match Report - Loko v Madras

Sunday 5th March 2006
Barnesalona League

Lokomotiv Londres FC 3 v Madras 3

Dear oh dear oh dear. Tut-tut. Naughty. Bad Loko, bad!

Sunday was a total washout. In lovely weather, Loko began their build-up to the tournoi with a feeble display against a nondescript Madras side. The signalmen should have won the match comfortably but contrived to throw away a three-nil lead in the last ten minutes. I don’t understand how it happened. The team was as follows: Steve Martin in goal; Rohan, Paul, Pete and Nick at the back; Dave, Dale, Adrian and Ismail in midfield; Roger and Mark up front. James and Stefan joined manager Jules on the bench.

Loko began the match against only ten men, yet failed to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Madras didn’t look dangerous but still managed to get near the Loko area on several occasions when they really shouldn’t have done. After ten minutes Madras were bumped up to their full quota when their late man showed up.

Loko took the lead in highly dubious fashion. Mark went on a good run into the box, which was ended fairly by a Madras defender. However the tackle sent the Loko centre forward sprawling to the ground and the ref awarded the steamers a penalty. Adrian stepped up and placed a powerful shot low and to the right of the keeper. Sadly this was to have been Mark’s last contribution – the striker had to go to hospital where he discovered that he had cracked a rib. Hopefully he won’t be out for too long. James came on in his place.

The first half progressed in a fairly even manner. Loko created the better opportunities but didn’t extend their lead. Madras had their own dodgy penalty appeal turned down when the ball was played against Paul’s hand in the box. Half time came quickly.

Half-Time Loko 1 v Madras 0

At half time the players drank plenty of water. Jules spoke of the need to use the match as training for the tournament. The hot weather (not even close to ‘tournoi hot’) and large pitch were typical of what we can expect in Pecs. Jules came on for Adrian and Stefan replaced Ismail.

In the second half Loko began to exert their dominance. Steve didn’t have a save to make until the collapse towards the end. Loko battered away at the creaking Madras defence, and should have run away with the game. The lead was doubled on the hour mark when Roger Barnes-Barrington (Pictured Below), shielding the ball for the 1000th time with his back, turned his man on the byline, dribbled away from goal and round a second marker before spinning to place a low shot inside the bottom left corner. Great play from the hit man.

Loko thought they had put the tie to bed with twenty minutes to go. Dave whipped in a corner; Jules met it with a firm header that the keeper could only parry at the near post, leaving Stefan with an easy finish from point-blank range. Good to see the versatile attacking midfielder getting his first goal for Loko.

Loko had other chances to extend their lead. That they failed to do so did not seem overly important at the time, because Madras were offering nothing that resembled a challenge. But sometimes all you need is a little luck to spark some life into a beaten team, and that is exactly what they got.

With about fifteen minutes to play Real were awarded a penalty. The circumstances were identical to their unsuccessful appeal in the first half, as the ball was blasted against Pete’s hand from close range. However this time the ref gave it – and the Madras striker made no mistake from the spot. Madras would no doubt have seen this as only fair, given Loko’s first half spot-kick – however two-nil would have been a fairer reflection than three-one, especially given that this decision was to turn the game on its head.

Madras, buoyed by their good fortune, piled forwards in search of a way back into the match. Their first chance came when the centre forward finally won a flick on against Pete, and Steve came out to make a superb last-ditch block. Then came Madras’s first goal. Can’t remember the build-up, only panic in the box and a powerful shot that left both Steve and Rohan helpless on the line.

Play kicked off again with two minutes left on the clock. Madras carried on pumping long balls into the box, and the back line stood still as the centre forward ran past everyone but hooked his high shot just past the upright. It proved to be a very brief reprieve for Loko.

Everything went crazy as the last minute arrived. One more free kick was sent flying into the box. Steve leapt to catch the ball but dropped it as a Madras player bundled into him, sending the ball bobbling into the net again. Everyone howled in protest but the ref deemed that the ball had been in play, and there was nothing to be done. The final whistle blew immediately after the restart, leaving the Madras players celebrating a bizarre and extremely unlikely comeback, and the Loko players unable to understand what had happened. We need to learn to defend a lead if we are to have any chance in Hungary. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Final Score Loko 3 v Madras 3

Next up is a trip to Rotherham, followed by Loko vs. Hendrix which could well decide the destination of the ‘best of the rest’ fifth place in the league. This, weather permitting, has been catchily dubbed ‘Bring Your Girlfriend/Friend/Family Day’, and everyone is expected to contribute at least one fan. Book early!

Manager Julian Milne's comments:

"The muddy waters have settled on an infamous collapse and the question remains. How much of what happened can be attributed to our own performance and how much was down to lady luck? A bit of both would seem to be the sensible answer.

I believe that despite the hammer blow finale we deserved to win a match we dominated for 75 minutes. We were unlucky in that Pete’s handball was clearly not a penalty. It was ball to hand and did not prevent a scoring chance. In fact it was Pete who kicked it and had it not hit his hand it would have flown up the other end of the pitch

The serious points to be made are:

- We still need to learn to play for the full 90 minutes. We have drawn 3 games this season we clearly should have won because we only played to a high level for a half or 75 minutes. Those extra points are the difference between challenging for the title and being mid-table. Certain players are not fit enough and as a collective we sometimes switch off or take our foot off the pedal both physically and mentally.
- We were a little bit naïve towards the end. All our productive play had been the result of neat passing and players releasing the ball early. As the game looked to have been won everybody started wanting more time on the ball and trying a trick or two. Consequently play was breaking down frequently when we had very promising counter attacks. On a wider than usual pitch and with only a few minutes left players were not making the effort to track back and give the team some shape. This left Madras with acres of space and time on the ball and they consequently created a number of good chances in that last quarter.
- We don’t want to make the same mistakes in the Tournoi where the hot weather and lush large pitches can be energy sapping. If we have a lead to protect let’s play in the most efficient manner. Moving the ball on quickly and keeping our discipline in terms of tracking back and team shape.
- We really should be encouraged by our potential to play good football and maybe on another day we would have won the match 6-0.

Let’s remember the positives and be confident that if we work on our game and eliminate mistakes then we are a really good team.

Man of the match: Stefan

See you in Sheffield!"

Team Line Up
1. Steve M
2. Rohan
3. Nick M
4. Pete
5. Paul D (c)
6. Ismail
7. Dave
8. Dale
9. Mark
10. Roger
11. Adrian
12. Julian (Replaced Adrian 45 Minutes)
13. James (Replaced Mark 15 Minutes)
14. Stefan (Replaced Ismail 45 Minutes)

Goals:
Adrian (1)
15th Minute - A low struck penalty into the bottom right hand corner.
Roger (1)
60th Minute - A mazy run from the wing enabled him to unlease a drive from 10 yards past the keepers despairing dive.
Stefan (1)
70th Minute - Dave's corner was met by a firm header from Julian forcing the keeper to parry at Stefan's feet two yards out and he steered the ball home.

Match Report provided by Rohan Tesh.

March Fixtures 2006

Sunday 5th March 2006
Barnesalona League
Barnes Common
Lokomotiv Londres FC v Madras

Result: Drew 3-3

Saturday 11th March 2006
Friendly
Wickersley, Rotherham
Wickersley Old Village Over 35's v Lokomotiv Londres FC

Result: Lost 6-1

Sunday 19th March 2006
Barnesalona League
Pitch 1
Lokomotiv Londres FC v Hendrix FC

Result: Lost 3-2

Sunday 26th March 2006
Barnesalona League
Barnes Common
Celtic v Lokomotiv Londres FC

Result: Lost 2-0