Match Report: Loko v Real Madras FC

Sunday 29th October 2006
Barnesalona League

Lokomotiv Londres FC 0 v Real Madras FC 1

Marauding Madras Make Loko Pay

It was the usual Sunday morning fixture at Barnes Common for Loko, who arrived on time with a squad of fourteen, intent on inflicting revenge on a Madras side that had luckily come through 2-1 in the previous meeting a couple of weeks before.

Loko started with Julian in goal, a back four of Nick, Ivan, Pete and Rohan. The midfield consisted of Adrian on the right, Stephen on the left and Dale and Dave H in central midfield. Up front was Roger and Stefan, with Ismail, Paul and Mark on the bench. This was definitely a squad that could and should get a result and move Loko up the table and start the challenge for the title.

It was a mixed start for Loko with some maurauding runs by Roger and Stefan into the channels but no real end product. Roger had a shot from distance, as did Dave H but unfortunately both only managed to find the tops of the trees behind the goal.

Dale was winning challenges in midfield against his counterpart and distributing the ball out wide to Adrian and Stephen on the wings. Madras had a couple of long range efforts and their main striker ran through on the angle only for a fine challenge by Rohan clearing the danger.

A dangerous free-kick on the corner of the penalty box had the Loko defence in disarray with poor marking and no-one holding their positions, the lack of a wall was also rather surprising with the free-kick being so close. Tempers flared due to a lack of communication and responsibility, just as the half-time whistle blew.

Half-Time Loko 0 v Real Madras FC 0

A tactical switch at half-time changed the shape of the game, Dale came of to be replaced by Ismail in midfield, Adrian was replaced by Mark, who went up front and the right flank was occupied by Stefan who dropped down from attack. It meant a midfield four with only Stephen on the left playing in their usual position.

It took Madras only five minutes of the second half to capitalise on the slow start the makeshift Loko formation had made. The winger cut inside Nick and tried shooting, the ball was deflected into the path of the striker at the back post who had an easy tap in despite the valient attempts of Julian in goal to scramble across his line.

Loko never really threatened in the second half with a couple of goalmouth scrambles and long range efforts coming to nothing. The control they had in the first half appeared to disappear and with confidence looking fragile Loko did well not to concede a second at the other end.

The game petered out and it was unfortunate that the Railwaymen have now had the double done over them by a team we should be beating. Lessons will have to be learned from this defeat and the squad will have to drastically improve from this performance if Loko want to have any chance of moving up the table and ultimately winning this League. Barnes in the Cup next weekend should be a good physical battle between two old rivals and should see the progress we have made over the summer. It is extremely important that we get a result out of this game.

Final Score Loko 0 v Real Madras FC 1

Team Line Up
1. Julian
2. Nick
3. Ivan [Y]
4. Pete
5. Rohan
6. Dave H
7. Adrian
8. Dale
9. Stefan
10. Roger (c)
11. Stephen
12. Ismail (Replaced Dale 45th Minute)
13. Paul (Replaced Ivan 45th Minute)
14. Mark (Replaced Adrian 45th Minute)

Other League Results

Barnes FC 1 v Cosmopolitan FC 2
Celtic 3 v West Ken Kings 2
Ladbroke Groovers 3 v South Auckland Rangers 3
Uncle Bob's FC 10 v Hendrix FC 2

Extra Pictures

Match Report provided by Dale Mellor.