Weekend Report - Wickersley Old Village v Loko

Saturday 11th March 2006
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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!