Barnesalona League
Said 2 v Lokomotiv Londres FC 3
An entertaining last game of the season for Loko ended in a good solid 3-2 win, which didn't do justice to the amount of possession and control Loko had.
Jules started with a 4-4-2 formation playing Steve Martin in goal, a back four of Rohan, Alistair, Paul D and Nick M. The midfield was Adrian on the left, Ismail on the right and Dave and Dale in the centre, with James and Roger up front.
Loko enjoyed a bright start with plenty of challenges being won in the centre of the park, Roger making his usual runs in to the channels and Dale and Dave finding him with some nifty passing.
The first goal didn't take long in coming, Ali at left back knocking the ball inside to Dale who kept the ball rolling out to Dave on the right, he swung a lovely ball to the far post where Roger met it with a firm header into the top corner.
Shortly afterwards a long ball forward was chased down by James and he coolly slotted over the keeper for the second.Loko kept creating chances on numerous occasions, Roger ran in from the channel and shot across goal on two occasions and also tee'd up James six yards out, who had his shot blocked at the last moment.
In Said's only chance of the half where the striker made space on the edge of the box, Rohan put in a great block only for the ball to deflect towards goal and sneak under Steves arms to bring the score back to 2-1.
Half-Time Said 1 v Loko 2
A positive start was made to the second half by Loko, with Jules bringing on Doug for James and himself for Adrian. The boys pushed forward from the start with Jules attacking down the left and Ismail down the right.
Early in the half Dale ran on to a ball over the top by Jules and chased the ball down on the left hand side of the box, after a quick glance up instead of going for goal and being selfish he knocked the ball square for the on rushing Dave who hit his shot first time which just shaved the crossbar.
The lead became a two goal lead again when Roger ran down the left and knocked the ball to the back post for Ismail to score from two yards and get his first of the season.
Loko had plenty of chances to increase their lead hitting the crossbar twice more and found the Said keeper in sublime form tipping over or around the post a further five or six good efforts.
Said scored a debatable second late on when the referee adjudge that the ball had crossed the line to the amazement of a shocked Loko team, as it appeared pretty clear that Nick had cleared the ball away brilliantly, a good six inches short of the goal line.
Nothing further of note happened and the win ensured that we have finished the season in fifth place which is a top half finish and a good progression on eight place the year before.
Congratulations must go to Munchen for winning the League and it is refreshing that a team that we have not been outplayed by, in any of our meetings this season, have broken though the top three teams to go all the way. It bodes well for next year.
Final Score Said 2 v Loko 3
Manager Julian Milne's comments:
Not Yet Provided.
Team Line Up
1. Steve M
2. Rohan
3. Alistair
4. Nick M
5. Paul D (c)
6. Dave
7. Ismail
8. Dale
9. James
10. Roger
11. Adrian
12. Julian (Replaced Adrian 45 Minutes)
13. Doug (Replaced James 45 Minutes)
Goals:
Roger (1)
20th Minute - Good work by Alistair and Dale saw the ball make its way to Dave, who swung a ball the the back post where Roger headed into the top corner.
James (1)
30th Minute - A long ball was chased down by James who lobbed the out rushing keeper.
Ismail (1)
70th Minute - A run down the left by Roger to the byline where he crossed low to the far post for Ismail to score from two yards out.
Match Report Provided by Dale Mellor
