Match Report: Loko v Ladbroke Groovers

Sunday 12th November 2006
Barnesalona League

Lokomotiv Londres FC 2 v Ladbroke Groovers 0

Ladbroke Lose Control!!?!

It was a cold November morning that greeted the players for what was to be both sides third meeting this season. After a poor performance the weekend before Loko were looking to get back to winning ways against a side they had already beaten 8-1 and 5-0 this season.

Unfortunately, Ladbroke were up to their old tricks again and arrived with only seven players, they quickly borrowed two players from other teams and were forced to start the match with only nine men. The game kicked off late and Loko did the usual warm up routine to keep themselve warm and ready for the delayed kick-off.

It was a familiar Loko side that lined up with Julian in between the sticks, a back four of Paul, Nick, Rohan and Ivan. The gaffer choose to revert the midfield back to its usual personnel with Dave H on the right, Stephen on the left and Dave W and Dale in the centre. Up front saw Captain Roger and James paired up with the task of hitting the back of the net.

It was a shaky start for Loko as a long ball over the top two minutes in saw hesitation between the defenders and the keeper and the Groovers striker nipped in and toe-poked the ball wide. It took a while for the back four to adjust to yet another change of personnel, but slowly they upped their game.

About 20 minutes in, Roger broke the offside trap with the Groovers playing a high line, but overhit his first touch and their keeper came off his line and played the ball out for a Loko throw in. It was the first real spell of pressure for Loko and they eventually made it tell, Stephen was played in down the left, he played the ball across the area for Dave H (pictured right) who drilled the ball low to the keepers left which sneaked inside the near post. It was a great finish and pushed Dave back up to third in the goalscoring charts.

The game was a fractious affair from the off and this wasn't helped by certain Groovers players flailing elbows left, right and centre and hitting the deck every time a challenge was made. At the end of the half Ivan was chopped in two by the striker who then had the audacity to complain at the referee for five minutes that HE had been fouled. An argument broke out on the halfway line between two Groovers players and Roger, who all ended up with yellow cards, and the game was slowly slipping out of the referees control. The referee blew his whistle for half-time 30 seconds after the game re-started.

Half-Time Loko 1 v Ladbroke Groovers 0

Adrian replaced Dave W and Stefan replaced James at half-time and the boss gave the team strict instructions not to drop down to the level of petty arguments that the Groovers were sadly portraying.

The talk seemed to work as Loko started the half brightly, Roger was played through on goal by a neat pass from Dale but unfortunately as he tried to round the keeper, the keeper judged correctly and produced a good save at Roger's feet.

This half was all Loko, who started making the extra men count, they kept the ball extremely well and the movement was much improved on previous weeks with options all around the man on the ball. The second goal didn't take long in coming, some persistant play at the back post and an attempted cross by Paul, was only parried by the goalkeeper to the feet of Stefan (pictured below) two yards out who hit the back of the net easily.

Ladbroke heads appeared to drop and Loko were now retaining possession with ease, it was becoming a one-sided affair and in the 70th minute Ladbroke lost any form of discipline. Twice Stefan was fortunate to avoid an elbow in the side of his head off the ball and when Roger ran for the ball, a speared lunge attempted to cause serious damage, was only unsuccessful due to Roger seeing the tackle early and managing to get out of the way. It was a lucky escape for Lokomotiv's top scorer as it was definitely a hospital tackle waiting to happen.

The referee saw the intent and rightly red carded the Groovers player, who was then followed to the touchline by three other players who refused to continue citing that as they only had nine men he shouldn't be sent off. That logic was obviously incorrect and the referee had no choice but to send the Groovers player from the field of play.

The Railwaymen looked on in astonishment as certain Groovers players flatly refused to continue the game and the referee had no choice but to abandon the game as Ladbroke couldn't continue with only six willing participants.

Loko's players were still trying to stay out of the arguments even with provocation from other individuals, and Roger and Dave H must be commended for the self-restraint they showed when abuse was being levied in their direction. The League gave Loko the points in what was a disappointing Sunday game of football.

Final Score Loko 2 v Ladbroke Groovers 0

Manager Julian Milne's comments:

"It think it was necessary to have the team meeting as soon as possible after a couple of poor performances. It was unfortunate, however, that it was just prior to this niggly match against a nine man team. The nature of the game and the opponents meant it was difficult to detect any immediate improvements but the players deserve praise for their constructive views during the pre-match discussion and subsequent self control during the match. Well done and still three points in the bag.

Man of the match: Rohan."

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

Goals
Dave H (1)
30th Minute - A ball across the penalty spot by Stephen was drilled into the bottom corner by Dave H coming in at the back post.
Stefan (1)
60th Minute - Good persistant work by Paul at the back post enabled him to attempt a cross to the far post, the keeper parried the ball to the near post where Stefan scored from two yards.

Other League Results
Hendrix FC 4 v Celtic 2
Real Madras FC 2 v West Ken Kings 2
Cosmopolitan FC 0 v Uncle Bob's FC 7
South Auckland Rangers 2 v Barnes FC 2

Match Report Provided by Dale Mellor.