Friendly - Boston Manor
Sita Lions 4 v Lokomotiv Londres FC 7
A good workout for the Loko squad preparing for the Tournoi. It was a competitive start, in which Loko took a while to get into their stride, however once the midfield found their feet the team settled into their roles well.
After a few early scares it was a corner from the right that saw a Lions defender punch the ball towards the floor to concede a penalty kick which Dave coolly slotted into the bottom right corner. Moments later it was 2-0 when Roger ran down the left and pulled the ball back for the onrushing Adrian to drill past the keeper first time.
The Lions pulled one back shortly before half-time with a shot from outside the area, but it was Loko who kept pressing, some excellent interchanges in midfield between Roger, Dale and Adrian allowed Dave to be played in behind the full back and swing in a lovely ball which the defender managed to head to the edge of the box where Dale chested it down and hit a low shot which went a yard wide of the upright.
Shortly after a corner swung in by Adrian was met again by Dale at the back post who headed it back towards the near post, but the defender managed to head the ball on the line onto the crossbar and away. Loko went in at the break 2-1 ahead.
Half Time Sita Lions 1 v Loko 2
Julian came on for Johan at half-time and Loko were determined to press the game higher up the field and make this a worthwhile friendly to get into the right frame of mind for the Tournoi.Two minutes after the restart Loko were 3-1 ahead, some neat play down the right saw Adrian pick the ball up and play a sideways pass to Dale 20 yards from goal who took a quick touch then drilled the ball into the bottom left hand corner, out of the goalkeepers reach.
Within ten minutes it was another, after a scrappy corner was cleared by the Lions, the ball was played back into Paul with his back to goal, a lovely turn and shot was placed superbly into the top corner and the keeper had no chance.
The Lions won a penalty for a foul that happened next to the corner flag!??!!!??!
However, the striker placed the ball wide of the post and justice seemed to be done.
This period of play was completely being dominated by Loko and when Mark received the ball into his feet just inside the Lions half an exquisite turn left the defender flatfooted, he ran through on goal and chipped the keeper from 35 yards to score the goal of the game.
....and it continued, a corner by Julian found its way through a crowded area for Roger to head in from two yards at the back post.
The Lions produced a bit of a fightback, when after two minutes of confusion the referee gave the Lions a second penalty of the match after Johan clipped the ankles of the striker in the area.
There cannot have been any complaints (although, as with all decisions that go against Loko, there was some!). This time the ball hit the back of the net without any problems.
Some calamitous defending allowed the Lions to get a third and Loko appeared to have relaxed a little to much due to being so far ahead and comfortable. The ball should have been cleared out of play, however the ball was worked back to Bryan who tried to dribble past the striker for some unknown reason and was dispossed. Then two minutes later their player appeared to be way offside but play continued and he hit the bottom corner of the net.
Loko stepped up a gear and had a couple of good chances in the area which weren't taken. Just before full-time Roger was challenging his Lions counterpart in midfield (who made no attempt to take the ball with him) and another Loko player nipped in to take the ball and run downfield before playing the ball across the area for Mark to grab his second and the teams seventh.The final whistle blew and if we can play like we did in the middle third of this match the Tournoi trophy may well find itself sat on Bryan's mantlepiece!!!!!
Final Score Sita Lions 4 v Loko 7
Team
1. Bryan
2. Rohan
3. Johan
4. Doug
5. Paul D (c)
6. Adrian
7. Dave
8. Dale
9. Roger
10. Mark
11. Nick M
12. Julian (Replaced Johan 45th Minute)
13. Ivan (Replaced Rohan 75th Minute)
Match Report provided by Dale Mellor.
