Match Report: Loko v Real Madras FC

Sunday 21st September 2008
Barnesalona League

Lokomotiv Londres FC 2 v Real Madras FC 7

Second Half Sloppiness Costs Again

It was yet again a poor end to the match that cost Loko and made our opponents look like world beaters. A better turn out this week meant we started the game with a sub, which was eventually doubled when Salim turned up just before half time, and we really did need those subs. The team started with a new guy Mario in goal, a back four of Paul, Pete, Dale and Ivan. In midfield from right to left, Peggy, Dave, Andrea, Aidan and Roger and Ismail up front.

Loko started quite brightly and it was an even game for the first ten minutes, Dale sweeping everything up at the back from Madras and their defence doing likewise. Unfortunately that was as far as Dale managed due to a re-occurance of a quad muscle injury and he was replaced by Yusef, who slotted in at left back and allowed Ivan to move over into the centre.

Loko played until the half hour mark with nothing of note happening, but then Loko lost Paul Kelly (pictured) to a nasty ankle injury when he landed akwardly. Loko then proceeded to have three continuous corners and from the third a well timed run from Aidan into the near post flicked the ball past the defenders on the line. Dale then decided to come back on in place of Paul and wander around up front to try and cause some nuisance instead of being a man light.

Unfortunately Madras scored twice in five minutes when both times slack marking at the back allowed the winger in behind the defence to square the ball the first time for an onrushing midfielder to nod in and the second time to slid the ball home himself.

Straight from the kick off, the ball made its way wide to Aidan who ran his man down the line, cut inside the covering defender and got lucky with the bounce and slotted home past the keeper, a great comback. It could have been better moments later, a long ball by Mario was flicked on by Dale and Roger held off the defender, tried to lob the keeper who somehow managed to get a hand to the ball and deflect it wide.

Half Time Loko 2 v Real Madras FC 2

The team stayed the same as they came out for the second half. Again for the first ten minutes of the half it was relatively quiet as both sides battled away in midfield. Andrea had a nasty challenge and almost had to go off injured. While Andrea was off the pitch, a corner by Madras didn't seem dangerous but Mario tried to claim the ball through a crowded penalty area, didn't get near it and it looped over the defenders off a Madras shoulder into the top of the net.

Dale went off again for Salim who slotted in up front alongside Roger. Unfortunately two long range shots by Madras beat Mario, when they should have been easily taken and from 2-2 and in the game, by the 70th Minute we were 5-2 down.

The discipline again disappeared as heads went down and they twice more slipped balls in behind the defence to run through and easily slip the ball past Mario, and again Loko were facing a quite lopsided scoreline which didn't fully reflect the way the game had gone.

Peggy switched with Salim and joined Roger up front and battled hard chasing down lost causes, people kept battling but Loko struggled to create anything towards the end of the game, as the three quick goals blew the wind out of our sails and we couldn't respond in kind.

Final Score Loko 2 v Real Madras FC 7

Manager Dale Mellor's comments:
"Everyone got off to a really great start and we were solid all over the park, unfortunately the injuries to myself and Paul didn't help us but the performance up until half time was good, a nice battling period of the match where we were coming out on top.

The three soft goals after the break took the game away from us and it is hard to come back from a ten minute spell like that. Good on all the lads for continuing to grind away until the end but we need to learn to keep our discipline for the full 90 minutes and not just for 50 minutes."

Team Line Up
1. Mario
2. Paul
3. Ivan
4. Dale
5. Pete
6. Dave
7. Peggy [Y]
8. Andrea
9. Roger (c)
10. Ismail
11. Aidan
12. Yusef (Replaced Dale 10th Minute)

13. Salim (Replaced Paul 50th Minute)

Goals

Aidan (2)

30th Minute - Peggy swung in a corner and Aidan ran to the near post and glanced the ball home with a diving header.

40th Minute - He ran down the wing, cut inside the defender who hit the ball against his legs and the ball fell kindly for him to slot past the keeper.

Man of the Match
Aidan - Two good goals and none stop battling from start to finish. It was good to see him giving everything on his debut and not backing out of any challenges. Hopefully we will see him again in future matches.

Match Report by Dale Mellor.