Barnesalona League
Groovers 6 v Lokomotiv Londres FC 1
Loko Lose It In Last 15 Minutes
A disappointing turn out yet again from Loko meant that only seven regular players turned up from our squad list and that included Andrea making his first league appearance. Big thanks to the four new guys, Martin, Prince, Yusef and Alvin who turned out for us at short notice.
It was a frantic start with the Railwaymen on the back foot, struggling to get to know each other and not being able to get in to their stride with passing and moving. Groovers had a few early chances and went close fizzing a couple of shots over the bar.The first goal came after twenty minutes when Rohan (pictured) tracked back into his own area on the left hand side of defence and instead of hitting the ball out for a throw in or corner drilled the ball across the penalty area where the striker had an easy side foot volley into the back of the net.
It didn't take Loko long to get back into the game, Alvin put in a good tackle in midfield, Andrea picked the ball up in a little bit of space and threaded a peach of a ball through the defence for Roger to run onto and lob over the onrushing goalkeeper.
After a period of see-saw football from one end to the other and Groovers took the lead yet again, they were having a lot of time down the middle of the park and Loko's makeshift midfield could not cope with their passing and movement, and they regularly got through attacking the centre backs. It was from one such move that their midfielder got behind ours and hit a forty yard shot straight at Ismail in goal who could only flap as the ball went in just under the crossbar directly above him.
Half Time Groovers 2 v Loko 1
Dale changed things in the second half to a 4-1-4-1 formation to protect the back four and for thirty minutes this worked extremely well and it was Loko who created the better chances, Andrea who was now playing the defensive midfielder position extremely well played a ball over the top for Peggy to run onto one on one but unfortunately he lobbed the keeper... ...and the bar.
Then on the hour mark Roger turned his man in the area and was one on one with the keeper on the angle but managed to hit his shot across the keeper and the goalmouth just wide of the post, it was a good effort by the Loko skipper.
After 75 minutes the game changed when Groovers scored a third by getting goalside and sidefooting past Ismail. Dale pushed Peggy further on in search of a comeback, but with a makeshift team and everyone tiring Groovers had wave on wave of attacks and added three others before the end of the game.
Groovers were the better team and deserved the win but the 6-1 scoreline was very harsh on Loko who had matched there opponents for 75 minutes until fitness and discipline finally told.
Final Score Groovers 6 v Loko 1
Manager Dale Mellor's comments:
"It was a great effort from the boys and a really big thank you to the lads that stepped up at the last minute to ensure we were able to play and did not have to cancel.
For 75 minutes we matched them toe to toe but unfortunately our fitness drained on a hot Sunday afternoon in the last 15 minutes. Everyone gave everything and that is all you can ask for.
It is now important that the squad starts to turn out regularly as numbers appear to be dwindling and if we want to push on we need everyone there. Hopefully see you all this coming Sunday for the match against Real Madras FC."
Team Line-Up
1. Ismail
2. Paul
3. Yusef
4. Dale
5. Rohan
6. Andrea
7. Peggy
8. Alvin
9. Roger (c)
10. Martin
11. Prince
Goals
Roger
30th Minute - Andrea laid the ball through for Roger to run through on goal and lob the keeper.
Man of the Match
Andrea - Played a superb ball through to Roger to score and generally looked good in possession. His play improved in the second half as he dropped into the defensive midfielder position and picked up the pace of the game.
Match Report by Dale Mellor.
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