Match Report: Uncle Bob's FC v Loko

Sunday 12th October 2008
Barnesalona League

Uncle Bob's FC 0 v Lokomotiv Londres FC 2

Loko up & running & chugging along...!

Another fine October morning greeted the lads who were looking forward to getting our first league victory under our belts. It was again a difficult week fo getting an eleven together but in the end we had a full team and the luxury of a substitute.

Ismail started in goal, Ivan, Steve (pictured) and PJ in defence with a debut for our new Romanian full back Romeo. Peggy on the right of midfield, Stephen on the left with Dave and Adrian in the centre of the park. Dale joined Roger up top to provide a bit of strength on a renowned strong and organised backline of Bob's. Cedric, the league organiser took a place on the bench.

Loko once again got off to a cracking start pressurising all over the park and giving Bob's no time on the ball at all. Everyone was winning their battles and it was good to see us picking up from that 80 minute performance from last week where we were on top and playing well. Roger got a good early chance turning his man on the edge of the area and knocking the ball on to his left peg only to miskick at the last moment with the ball just running wide.

The Railwaymens dominance continued and when Roger won the ball on the left hand side of the box he floated a ball to the back post which Dale hit on the volley on the full, just a yard over the top. Straight after and Dale battled past two men just inside the Bob's half and slid a ball in behind the full-back where Stephen had made a great run, he moved inside the centre half and hit a low drive which the keeper managed to divert around the post.

Dave injured himself and switched with Ismail who replaced him in centre midfield, and more chances came when PJ headed over from a corner and Dale did likewise when the both could have done a little better. Loko were dominating well and both PJ and Steve would have had a further chance from a corner, if they hadn't got in each others way.

All the back four were solid and the midfield keeping them at bay and it shows how good a team we can be if we keep our discipline, our shape and keep organising and communicating. We were solid in all departments and created a bucketful of chances, we went in at the break completely on top.

Half-Time Uncle Bob's FC 0 v Loko 0

The boys listened to the half-time talk about being in this position in all our matches this season, and letting it go in the second half. It was important that we maintained our discipline and shape throughout the second half and went on to win this after restricting Bob's to no shots all the first half.

It was a scrappy start to the second half but we maintained our shape and continued to press Peggy getting down the right and Stephen down the left, creating lots of space for the boys inside. Ten minutes into the second half, Cedric came on for Adrian, who had run his heart out in the centre.

Within minutes Cedric got the ball down the right, turned his man and put a cracking ball into the box and Roger got there with his head and angled the ball into the bottom corner. It was good passing build up, a great cross and a well taken goal and Loko finally got what they deserved and a 1-0 lead to build on and protect.

It was a hot day and you could see Loko players starting to tire and Bob's had there first and pretty much only clear chance of the afternoon, their midfielder got beyond Ismail but Dave came out and blocked with his legs as the Bob's player got his shot away. Great keeping and maybe a sign that we need look no further...

The second goal would have killed the game off and it came when Dale battled in midfield, Roger got on the loose ball and ran through on goal only to be taken out completely by the keeper. The keeper got a yellow and Loko a free kick on the edge of the box. Roger shaped to shoot but played a sideways ball for PJ to strike through the crowd into the bottom corner. Peggy claims a touch but we'll give the goal to the new boy.

The Loko chances kept coming, Peggy twice got down the right hand side and the first time drilled the ball across goal but Dale couldn't quite reach at the far post, and the second ball was flicked by Roger and Dale was again just a yard short at the back post.

The lads kept concentrating, kept the shape and played superbly from Dave in goal, through the defence, midfield and attack. A brilliant all around perormance and a great way to go into our two week break. The league leaders Sporting Lisbarnes on our return.

Final Score Uncle Bob's FC 0 v Loko 2

Manager Dale Mellor's comments:
"What a fantastic performance from every single player out there, from the debut boy Romeo who performed solidly to the old heads like Ismail and Ivan who battled for 90 minutes. It's good to see everyone learning that this game is all about discipline and communication.

The improvement from last week was there for everyone to see, the shape stayed solid for the entire game and we regularly found our men when they were in space. Same again in two weeks and I've got faith that we can beat Lisbarnes.

Great football, great workrate and a great performance. Well done."

Team Line Up
1. Ismail
2. Romeo
3. Ivan
4. PJ
5. Steve
6. Adrian
7. Peggy
8. Dave
9. Dale
10. Roger (c)
11. Stephen
12. Cedric (Replaced Adrian 55th Minute)

Goals
Roger
55th Minute - A cracking cross by Cedric and a Rooneyesk finish by Roger into the bottom corner with his noggin.
PJ
80th Minute - Roger played a sideways ball from a freekick on the edge and PJ drilled it into the bottom corner.

Man of the Match
Steve Haley (pictured top) - They say that you build from the back and as with the majority of the last week, the whole defence was superb. Steve stood out for winning every header, 50-50 and on numerous occasions chased out and choppered people from behind. Absolutely cracking game from the big man.

Match Report by Dale Mellor.