Sunday 10th September 2006Barnesalona LeagueSouth Auckland Rangers 1 v Lokomotiv Londres FC 1Barnes-Barrington and Hazig star in entertaining Curtain Raiser.
For the first time in over 100 years, Loko managed to avoid defeat in their opening game of the season, being held to a 1-1 draw by a resurgent South Auckland Rangers. Roger Barnes-Barrington scored Loko’s goal and had a second disallowed, while Ismail Hazig put in a man-of–the-match performance at centre-half. The two new signings, Peggy and Dave ‘Whitaker’ Lineker slotted straight in with impressive debuts in what was an even match played in a good spirit.
Call me a pessimist, but when notorious slow starters Lokomotiv took to the field in the hot sunshine, lacking match fitness, their key centre half and their most influential central midfielder, against a team that had perhaps a two-inch per man height advantage… defeat seemed to beckon with that familiar bony finger. Despite having a good record against Auckland, the return of key players to the Kiwi line-up and the absence of the same from the Steam-Driven Eleven meant that Loko began the game as underdogs.
Clement weather and a spirit of optimism abounded at Barn Elms, with the new season promising much, including a dashing new team: Nellie’s Rangers. All involved with Barnesalona hope that the troubles of last season have been put to bed. Loko, with Roger as captain, kicked off on sloping pitch two with the advantage of playing downhill, but with the sun in their eyes. The opening few minutes saw a number of careful passes between the Loko players that were straight off the training ground, as they attempted to conserve not only possession but also their energy.
After a short while though it was Auckland who began to press, using their pace and strength to stretch the scratch-built Loko back four of Nick, Rohan, Ismail and Ivan. Although the defence was at times creaking it never buckled; Auckland failed to take advantage of the lack of height Rohan and Ismail offered at centre-half, preferring to play balls into the channels, where they were cleared up by Nick and Ivan, who both had great games.
Auckland did win a series of corners but failed to threaten. Whenever the ball was played into the centre it was on the ground where it was easily cut out by a rampaging Ismail. The closest that the Kiwis came to taking the lead was when Jules out-jumped his man to clear, only to see his glancing header bounce a whisker wide of his own goal.... a narrow escape for the signalmen, and a stroke of good fortune to boot.
However there was nothing lucky about the save that Steve M made moments later; an Auckland attacking throw fell to a striker in the box, whose shot on the turn was parried brilliantly at his near post by the Loko keeper. Meanwhile, despite playing downhill, the team in blue were restricted to attacking on the break. The method of choice was to play balls into the channels for Roger and James to chase, but no clear sightings of goal came their way. Half time came with both satisfaction at having kept Auckland out and foreboding at having to play uphill with weary legs for a further forty-five.
Half-Time South Auckland Rangers 0 v Loko 0In the event though, the next twenty-five minutes proved to be Loko’s best of the game. The midfield took control with short passing and running, particularly from Dave and Peggy on the wings. Dave W was winning everything in the air and on the ground, and Roger began to hold up the ball in his trademark style, creating space for James and Peggy who were running off him.
Before Loko found the net both James and Dave went close, first the former sent a curling shot just wide of the post, then the latter bent a free kick around the wall but into the keeper’s arms. To whet the crowd’s appetite Roger gave a preview of his goal, as he muscled shoulder-to-shoulder past the centre-half before planting his shot in the bottom corner, only to be halted mid-celebration by the referee, who had given the foul against him.
Not to be denied, though, Loko made good use of the airspace above Barn Elms – a nod to Tony Cinzano – to finally open the scoring with about an hour gone. Jules, who had replaced Steve M in goal to make room for Adrian in midfield, pumped a kick so high that Dezza caught sight of it from Bramall Lane; when it finally fell to earth Auckland failed to deal with the bounce which allowed Roger to run through and once again stroke his favourite shot into the bottom left corner, sparking wild scenes in the stands.
As the second half wore on Auckland started to get the measure of Loko once more and the attacks began to stream down the hill past tiring Loko legs with greater frequency. The Loko full backs were having to chase back ceaselessly, and were replaced by Paul Kelly and Doug for the final 25, to keep the defence fresh.
The Kiwis however lacked a player who could really cause havoc by beating his man, and the directness of their attacks played somewhat into Loko’s hands. Jules had to be on his toes with ten minutes to go though, as the ball broke to an attacker on the edge of the box and he hammered a shot towards the roof of the net; the player-manager was equal to it however, tipping the ball over with an acrobatic save at full stretch.
Towards the end the Loko tackling became ever more ragged and desperate, resulting in, to quote Otto Rehhagel, a ‘festival of free kicks’ around the Loko area being awarded to Auckland. From the last of these the equaliser arrived; for once the Kiwi attacker rose above his man to flick the ball on at the near post, and Loko were second best again when the striker reacted faster than the defence to bundle the ball home.
The final minutes passed with both teams looking to win but with no clear chances, and when the whistle blew there were immediate handshakes all round. The Loko players were frustrated, both at the disallowed goal and at having come close to an opening-day victory, but on the balance of play a draw was the right result. A solid display and two strong debuts represented a happy start to the campaign.
Final Score South Auckland Rangers 1 v Loko 1Manager Julian Milne's comments:
"A good start to the season. Lovely weather and a tight, competitive match. Particularly pleasing was the defensive performance. It was the first time I had played that back four in the absence of Peter and Paul. We didn't concede too many chances and could easily have kept a clean sheet if it hadn't been for some rather 'soft' free kicks awarded by the ref around the box.Obviously both teams were a bit rusty but I thought the quality of football was decent. Auckland seemed much improved from the team that finished last season and the game was played in a really good spirit which is always a plus. I was disappointed that we conceded a goal from a set piece and this is obviously something we should address before the next match. If you lose a header on the edge of the box and then let the ball run right across the face of the goal you are obviously asking for trouble. But mainly positives and in what promises to be a very open league it gives us something to build on.Encouraging performances from both the new lads (Peggy and it seems now 'Lineker') as well as some premium stuff from a couple of the legends - Ismail and Ivan. Also a mention to Roger who took the armband and led from the front, encouraging the other players at just the right times.Man of the match: Ismail."Team Line Up1. Steve M
2. Nick
3. Ivan
4. Ismail
5. Rohan
6. Dave W
7. Dave H
8. Julian
9. James
10. Roger (c)
11. Stephen (Peggy)
12. Adrian (Replaced Steve M 60 Minutes)
13. Doug (Replaced Ivan 65 Minutes)
14. Paul K (Replaced Nick 65 Minutes)
GoalsRoger (1)
55th Minute - A high ball wasn't dealt with by the Auckland defence and Roger brought the ball down, ran through on goal and hit it low in to the bottom corner.
Match Report provided by Rohan Tesh.
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