Barnesalona League
Lokomotiv Londres FC 3 v Barnes FC 0
Great Team Win Secures Three Points
A cold and overcast morning greeted the squad of thirteen who braved the cold to give the performance of the season so far by the Railwaymen. The team started with Ismail in goal, a back four of Nick, Ivan, Dale and PJ. A midfield four of Peggy on the right, Stefan on the left with Pete and Andrea in centre midfield with Roger and James up front. Romeo and new player Michael started on the bench.
The boys got off to a solid start, tackling well and playing the ball around nice and confidently with everyone shouting for possession and letting others know that they are available or have a man on. A total turnaround from the last few weeks and you could see the difference in confidence and the organisation of the team as a whole.Loko nearly took the lead on a couple of occasions when Roger got in behind the defence from great balls by Andrea and Pete, although on one occasion the keeper came out well to block and on the other Roger got there first but had to push the ball wide of goal and it went away from the danger area as he chased it down.
The defence were solid and Barnes created little as high balls were being won by all four defenders and Dale and PJ were swapping roles in challenging and sweeping as play dictated, and cleaning up anything at the back. The only danger of note was when Dale was sweeping at the back and his left foot slid out from under him and sent the striker away, although great covering by PJ meant Barnes hit a long range shot over the bar.
The Choo-Choo's didn't hold back though and kept plugging away with long range efforts by Peggy, Roger and Andrea all getting blocked or rising over the bar. Then Peggy got away down the right when played in by Pete and swung over a peach of a cross that Roger met with a firm header which went a yard over the bar.
The goa came just before the break when Roger chased an Andrea ball over the top, held off the defender and advancing keeper, and Stefan lobbed the keeper from 25 yards out and gave Loko a deserved lead. The boys held on well until half-time, dictating play and coming under pretty much no pressure with everyone on top of their game.
Half-Time Loko 1 v Barnes FC 0
Unsurprisingly, the words from Dale at half-time was lets have much of the same in the second half and continue to press the ball, continue to talk and continue to use the men in space. Ivan was replaced by Romeo with Nick moving to left back and Romeo slotting in at right back. Michael came on in centre midfield for Andrea with the instruction to sit and hold as we didn't need to chase the game, being 1-0 up and in control.
The second half continued in the same vein as the first with Loko starting strongly and winning those first challenges and the second ones and using the ball well when in possession. Again Dale and PJ were well organised at the back, picking up the loose men and allowing the side to play with a sweeper who mopped up everything that came his way, winning the headers and not allowing any Barnes playing through on goal in the 90 minutes.
Loko started to play some scintillating football and Peggy and Roger both linked well down the right and Peggy put in a great ball but Stefan only managed to head it back the way it had come when free in front of goal. The second came and boy did it come, great interchanges by Nick, Pete, Peggy and Stefan got the ball wide and the ball was slide into Rogers feet, one quick touch and he drilled it into the bottom corner.
Loko came under a bit of pressure for fifteen minutes midway through the half but slid into challenge after challenge and played superbly. Barnes had a couple of efforts, one straight into Ismail's chest and a free header at the back post after he had managed to lose James and he headed over.
Instead of buckling under the pressure it made Loko stronger and twice Romeo broke clear on the counter attack and alleviated the pressure by making ground close to their penalty area before winning a throw in and on another occasion a free kick when a ball into Roger could have seen a one on one.
Michael settled in well alongside Pete and kept winning challenges and sat in the defensive position really well stopping any breaks and playing nice easy balls into his team mates feet. Nick continued to work well on the left with Stefan and kept linking up well with those around him and the same with James who had a shot blocked from the edge of the box but kept playing nice, neat, easy football.
The third goal came with a cross of Peggy's blocked by the defender, Roger fed Peggy again and his cross was perfect for James, unmarked at the far post who got his head and shoulder on the ball back across the keeper into the corner he had just come from.
The boys really deserve praise after this performance and can give themselves a pat on the back, but now is the time to move forward and get some consistency of turning up.
Final Score Loko 3 v Barnes FC 0
Manager Dale Mellor's comments:
"Brilliant performance from absolutely everyone today, what a difference to last week, the lads were first to the ball and the second ball and communicated so effectively throughout the match. That is the first time this season that I have seen put into action, what I asked of everyone before the game started.
Superb, keep it up and lets try and get some consistency with our team selection from game to game.
Finally, if you haven't paid membership or owe money from previous weeks or other matters then please pay up so that we can get the kitty up to date. You know who you are."
Team Line Up
1. Ismail
2. Nick
3. Ivan
4. Dale
5. PJ
6. Andrea
7. Peggy
8. Pete
9. Roger (c) [Y]
10. James
11. Stefan
12. Romeo (Replaced Ivan 45th Minute)
13. Michael (Replaced Andrea 45th Minute)
Goals
Stefan (1)
40th Minute - Roger held off the defender and the ball fell kindly to Stefan who lobbed the keeper from the edge of the box.
Roger (1)
60th Minute - Great play down the left between Stefan, Pete and Peggy saw the ball played into Rogers feet and he hit the ball low into the corner.
James (1)
80th Minute - Peggy had a cross blocked, got the ball back from Roger and a great ball in was placed into the bottom corner via James head and shoulder.
Man of the Match
I honestly cannot pick a man of the match as all thirteen players were superb. The team gets the vote as a whole.
Match Report by Dale Mellor.
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