Match Report: Loko v Hendrix FC

Sunday 28th September 2008
Barnesalona Cup

Lokomotiv Londres FC 3 v Hendrix FC 0

Ruthless Railwaymen Run Riot...!

It was a lovely sunny September morning at Barn Elms and Loko finally turned up with a full squad of regulars, the return of Salim and Aidan, and a new man in Paul Jeffels.

We lined up with Dale in goal, a back four of Ismail, Ivan, Steve and Pete. In midfield was Peggy, Aidan, Dave and Andrea, with Roger and James up front. PJ started as sub and Salim was offered a full 90 minutes with Uncle Bob's FC and played with them for the morning.

Loko got off to a great start and were passing the ball around well, Roger and James holding it up where necessary with Aidan and Peggy offering plenty of width for the ball to be knocked around with some confidence. The defence were solid from the off with Steve and Pete (pictured above) covering each other well and Dale getting off his line quickly to clear up any loose balls that were played into the area.

Hendrix had an early corner which Dale came out and claimed and set Peggy away with the ball, the ball was contested in the middle of the park and Aidan came away with it and struck the ball sweetly from 35 yards and hit the underside of the crossbar, the ball bounced out to James from six yards who missed with his swing and Hendrix were able to clear their lines.

Shortly after and Loko were ahead, Dave won the ball in midfield and advanced on the 18 yard box laying Roger in on goal with a lovely inside pass and Roger sidefooted past the keeper into the bottom corner.

It was a timely boost and the team grew in confidence, the second goal coming ten minutes later. Andrea was played the ball inside the area, he flicked the ball up over two men and put in a great cross for Roger to beat his man to the ball and volley home past the advancing keeper to put the boys two up at the break.

Half Time Loko 2 v Hendrix FC 0

At half time Aidan came off to be replaced by PJ who slotted in at right back and allowed Ismail to push onto the left wing in the space vacated by Aidan.

The half started well again and PJ made a great start to his Loko career overlapping down the right and swinging in a couple of good early balls that no one was able to anticipate and get on the end of things. One particular attack showed our ability with the ball when PJ played the ball into Peggy who played a one two with Roger, got around the back of the defence and laid the ball back to Andrea who sidefooted it towards the bottom corner only to see the keeper pull off a superb save.

Moments later and Roger got behind his man only to see the keeper palm the ball away again, a further effort by a Loko man was then cleared off the line by a defender and Loko were dominating all over the park. Roger twice more turned his man and had shots saved by the keeper who was having a really good game for the opposition.

With ten minutes left Loko made the game safe, some great play by Peggy down the right and a ball across the box was latched onto by Andrea who slotted the ball past the keeper to take the game away from Hendrix and made the last few moments comfortable for the team.

A couple of long range efforts from Hendrix cleared the bar, a further shot ran across the front of the net and out for a goal kick, and Dale had to get down low to a shot from twelve yards out which he gathered into his chest. James (pictured left) still had time to almost kick start his goal tally for the season and volleyed over the bar a peach of a cross from PJ by the right touchline.

It's back to the league next weekend and a tough afternoon game against the current league leaders West Ken Kings. Lets get a full team out and get our league campaign started.

Final Score Loko 3 v Hendrix FC 0

Manager Dale Mellor's comments:
"A great start to the match and finally some good discipline and consistency for the full ninety minutes. Everybody played well and showed their worth to the team and it shows that if we start well, compete for every ball and get first to all the 50-50 balls then our ability with the ball will shine through.

A special mention to Roger for two great goals and a good start for PJ in the second half maurading down the wing and creating chances. All around quality from the entire team, let's keep it going next week. Well done everyone."

Team Line Up
1. Dale
2. Ismail
3. Ivan
4. Pete
5. Steve
6. Dave
7. Peggy
8. Andrea
9. Roger (c)
10. James
11. Aidan
12. Paul J (Replaced Aidan 45th Minute)

Goals
Roger (2)
30th Minute - A through ball by Dave was slotted into the bottom corner by Roger.
40th Minute - Andrea's lovely flick over two defenders and ball across the box was volleyed home by Roger past the advancing keeper
Andrea (1)
80th Minute - Peggy danced past the full-back and laid off the ball to the advancing Andrea to hit it past the keeper into the back of the net.

Man of the Match
Captain fantastic Roger Barnes who gave ninety minutes of non-stop running into both channels, laid the ball off well and was clinical with his finishing.

Match Report by Dale Mellor.

Player Focus: Rohan Tesh

Name:
Rohan Tesh

Nickname:
The Tesh, Vicky Pollard

Age:
28

Preferred Position:
Centre Back or Either Full Back

Usual Position:
Centre Back

Previous Clubs:
British Institute in Paris

Biggest Achievement in Football:
Having lunch with Motty

Describe Your Own Ability:
3/10

Most Memorable Loko Moment:
Paul Richardson (ex-manager) calling for 'focus' then sending out twelve players for the second half

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.

Player Focus: Paul Kelly

Name:
Paul Jame Kelly

Nickname:
Slider, Vinnie Jones

Age:
33

Preferred Position:
Right wing or up front but happy to play right back

Usual Position:
Right Back

Previous Clubs:
Los Latinos, Red Lion, The Cod

Biggest Achievement in Football:
Scoring for my school after so many years of being told I was too small

Describe Your Own Ability:
Just an average player in the Barnesalona League

Most Memorable Loko Moment:
Being captain for my country (Loko) in one match in Vichy

Match Report: Groovers v Loko

Sunday 14th September 2008
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.

Player Focus: Ismail Hazig

Name:

Ismail Hazig

Nicknames:

Mido, The Old Gaffer

Age:

46

Preferred Position:

Left or Right Wing

Usual Position:

Goalkeeper / Utility Man

Previous Clubs:

Hassania Agadir (1976-1978), British Rail (1985-1988), Midland Bank (1988-1990), Loko (1990-still)

Biggest Achievement in Football:

Taking part in the First World Tourism Games for England in 1990, & Managing Loko for two seasons

Describe Your Own Ability:

Keeping fit is a challenge at my age!!!

Most Memorable Loko Moments:

Old Bhoy European Tournoi's

2008-09 Final Loko Top Goalscorers

	Scorer Name	League	Cup	Friendly	Tournoi	Total
1.	Roger Barnes	6	2	2	1	11
2.	Paul Jeffels	5	1	-	-	6
=.	Stefan Butler	3	1	1	1	6
4.	Game Forfeited	4	-	-	-	4
5.	James Kavanagh	2	-	1	-	3
=.	Philippe Fournier	-	-	3	-	3
7.	Aidan Stewart-Smith	2	-	-	-	2
=.	Andrea Falcone	-	1	-	1	2
=.	Chris Zinga	2	-	-	-	2
=.	Pete Masters	1	-	-	1	2
=.	Samuel Maia	1	-	1	-	2
=.	Steve Haley	-	-	-	2	2
=.	Tom Hill	1	-	1	-	2
14.	Ismail Hazig	-	-	1	-	1
=.	Joe Purnell	1	-	-	-	1
=.	Sam	-	-	1	-	1
=.	Stephen Pegg	1	-	-	-	1
Total		29	5	11	6	51

Captains Corner 2008/09

2008/09 Stefan Butler
1. November 2008

2. January 2009

3. April 2009

2008/09 Roger Barnes
1. September 2008
2. October 2008

Match Report: Deportivo De Brentford v Loko

Sunday 7th September 2008
Friendly

Deportivo De Brentford 4 v Lokomotiv Londres FC 2

Nine Men Do Loko Proud

It's hard to know where to begin this match report, thanking the eight brave souls (plus Ivan) who made the trip to Wormwood Scrubs on a cold blustery September morning, or expressing disappointment at the last minute withdrawals that forced us into borrowing players from the opposition.

The match was started with ten-a-side that would enable a decent run out and the benefits of some match fitness. It also allowed the side to get re-acquainted with one another and find that flowing Loko football that everyone knows that we are capable of on our day.

The game started, with Loko playing a 4-3-2 formation, the start was fast and furious we no real threats posed by either team in the first ten minutes. It was down the wings that both teams were finding space due to the missing player from each team and the narrow three in midfield that Loko were using. Peggy (pictured) on a couple of occasions beat his man down the wing and played balls across the area that unfortunately no one could connect with. James received the ball down the left hand side and laid it off to Pete who hit a first time shot a yard over the crossbar.

Deportivo had a lot of luck down the left hand side of the penalty area, forcing Paul onto the back foot, it was from one foray down the left that they won a corner, and with Pete off the field changing his boots, they made the man count. The ball was swung over and a goalmouth scramble ensued, with three attempts to clear being blocked the ball fell kindly two yards out for them to scramble the ball over the line.

Their manager, also the centre back, was forced off with an injury so we gave them a player back and this meant we had to play the last 70 minutes a man down, ten against nine. Roger was giving their backline a torrid time and twice ran through one-on-one only to be denied be some greart goalkeeping rushing out and blocking at his feet.

The second Deportivo goal arrived after a sustained spell of pressure, they made the extra man tell and with Loko only playing three at the back, they had men over nearly every attack. Their left winger beat Paul down the left and drilled a ball low to the near post where the extra man on his own sidefooted home from five yards. They then hit the post when a seemingly easy ball for Ismail to collect on the edge of the box, was toe poked by the striker and cleared at the second attempt, it was a lack of sharpness that caused the hesitency by the keeper.

Roger almost instantly equalised when Dale cut out a home side attack and delivered a 70 yard ball over the defence for Roger to latch onto, unfortunately his final touch proved a bit heavy and the keeper rushed out to block with his arm at full stretch in the air.

Dale changed the formation to 4-3-1 and shored up the defence and this appeared to contain them, while at the same time Roger and Peggy were plugging away and the link up play between the entire team was superb with some attacks starting from Ismail in goal and being played through the opposition on to the wing and numerous balls into the box that we could not find an end product for...! On one final occasion Roger again got free on the angle, hit his shot past the keeper, which appeared to be heading for goal until it hit a divet and changed direction going out for a goal kick.

Half Time Deportivo De Brentford 2 v Loko 0

The second half started well for Loko and the team could not be accused of not creating chances, Roger continually had the beating of his marker on the turn, but just couldn't quite get his shots past the keeper who was having a fantastic match for the home side.

Deportivo had a big strong centre forward who held the ball up well with his bulk, and he played his wingers in well when he had chance. In the second half the full backs for Loko Paul and Rui (from the opposition) played really really well and cut out any threat from the wings.

Roger was fouled 35 yards out when trying to latch on to a through ball by James. Dale took the resultant free-kick and hit it well, only for the goalkeeper to tip it away for a corner at full stretch when it looked to be heading into the top corner.

Their third goal came from a through ball from their forward spotting the run of the central midfielder and laying it in behind the defence for him to toe poke home past Ismail, the midfielder was about two metres offside when the ball was eventually played but you cannot fault the referee (Ivan) who could not see the offside from his position.

The fourth came immediately after and was a cracker, the ball was played through the team to their bulky striker 40 yards out who turned Steve and lobbed Ismail from 40 yards. This game was appearing to go the same way as the week before, but this time Loko responded brilliantly. They continued to attack Deportivo and Roger and James were creating space in and around the area, Peggy was attacking the fullback supported well by Paul, and Pete was playing some nice neat passes in midfield when he got chance. Rui also played well and was advancing down the left from fullback when he got chance.

Loko's goal arrived in the 80th Minute when Peggy and Paul worked the ball into the box for James, who intelligently looked up and played the ball to the back post for Roger (pictured) to sidefoot home. The second followed two minutes later and Rui advanced down the left knocking the ball inside to Pete who flicked the ball to Roger in the area, he beat his man on the turn and hit a left foot shot into the keepers near post, showing everyone how it could be done.

The pressure didn't stop there, in the last eight minutes James hit the crossbar from eight yards out and hit a magnificent volley from ten yards that just cleared the crossbar. Their keeper made a couple of other blocks from some softer shots and their left back cleared a corner off the line.

The whistle blew signalling defeat but for a team a man down for around 70 minutes to create more chances than the home team was superb, hopefully with some match fitness those chances will start to hit the back of the net.

Groovers next week for an afternoon kick off and the chance to start our league campaign positively.

Full Time Deportivo De Brentford 4 v Loko 2

Manager Dale Mellor's comments:
"It was a solid performance with just eight players and two ringers from the opposition. I'd like to stress early on that please only confirm you will be playing if that is the case. The last minute withdrawals do not allow us time to get further players into the squad in time for kick off.

On a positive note, the side started slowly and took a while to get out of the blocks, but once we adjusted to the pace of the game and got re-acquainted with our team mates, we looked a quality team who are able to pass the ball around beautifully. The number of chances we created should ensure that once the season is in full swing and the sharpness has returned we can start to hit the back of the net on a more consistent basis than previous seasons.

It was a good work-out and should help us start the season well next weekend."

Team Line Up
1. Ismail
2. Paul
3. Ed (Swapped Teams 20th Minute)
4. Dale
5. Steve
6. Peggy
7. Rui
8. Pete
9. James
10. Roger (c)

Goals
Roger (2)
80th Minute - Good build up play to James in the area and a delicate ball across the box for Roger to sidefoot home.
82nd Minute - Roger spun his man in the area and hit a low drive inside the keepers near post.

Man of the Match
Peggy - He produced a good performance, a constant threat down the right and some lovely balls into the box.
Honourable mention to Roger for his two goals and finding the space for his chances and to all the other players who on another day could have taken the award for an all round good display by everyone with the man deficit.

Match Report provided by Dale Mellor.

Player Focus: Ivan Rahal

Name:
Ivan Rahal (Assistant Manager)

Nicknames:
El Presidente, The Bald Eagle, Ashley Cole With No Hair

Preferred Position:
Central Defender

Usual Position:
Left Back



Previous Clubs:
Broomfield



Biggest Achievement In Football:
Playing in a local third division final in Portland, Oregon, USA, live on satellite TV - but that was when I had hair on my head, back in 1987....



Most Memorable Loko Moment:
Playing on those lush pitches at the Tournoi in Vichy

Match Report: Brockley FC v Loko

Sunday 31st August 2008
Friendly

Brockley FC 8 v Lokomotiv Londres FC 1

Makeshift Loko Get Rolled Over

A few frantic phone calls to get a full team out, a long drive down to South-East London and the "seasonal" thunderstorms" in the run-up to the first friendly of the season against new opposition. The scene was all set for the season's curtain raiser.

During his pre-match talk, skipper Roger (pictured) pointed out that Lokomotiv's makeshift team (with 6 regular players missing) would be playing against well-organised opposition that had been training regularly since late June.....

Despite Brockley FC's onslaught from the word go, Loko were on the ball, defending deep from the trenches with newcomer Michael assured in the middle of defence and Ollie outstanding in goal. A team of generally younger, fitter players, Brockley FC were lacking the killer touch. Missing open chances to capitalise on their speed and fitness advantage, they generally lost their heads when it mattered the most.

In the first half Lokomotiv hardly ever crossed the half-way line but were coping reasonably well under pressure. Until the 32nd minute when a long ball flew over Lokomotiv's defence sent Brockley's FC centre forward clear in front of goal whereupon he crucified irreproachable Ollie from 10 yards out. Despite this setback, Lokomotiv kept in the game and occasionally threatened the Brockley goal with Stefan and Roger having a few shots on goal.

Half Time Brockley FC 1 v Loko 0

Lokomotiv started the second half with renewed vigour. With the railwaymen passing the ball with more composure, you got the sense that the Barneslona League team were beginning to believe in themselves. From Brazilian midfielder Solo’s through ball to Sam out on the left, the half-time substitute ran down the box and cleverly lobbed the advancing goalkeeper.

Then came the golden opportunity, a penalty awarded to Lokomotiv but unfortunately Stefan missed his chance to put the Loko-men ahead as he hit the post from the spot. This was the game’s turning point and, sadly for Lokomotiv, the beginning of a resounding thrashing.

The railwaymen’s nemesis was Brockley’s half-time substitute, a nippy left winger who ran rings round the Loko defence and kept crossing the ball across our goalmouth. This resulted in a catastrophic end to the game for the railwaymen’s defence, which eventually collapsed and (look away now) ….conceded 7 goals within the last 30 minutes.

Roll on the next game against Deportivo with, hopefully, Lokomotiv’s strongest team back in contention!

Final Score Brockley FC 8 v Loko 1

Team Line Up
1. Ollie
2. Paul
3. Ismail
4. Michael
5. Ivan
6. Andrea F
7. Adrian
8. Andrea C
9. Roger (c)
10. Stefan
11. Erik
12. Sam (Replaced Andrea C 45th Minute)
13. Solo (Replaced Ivan 25th Minute)

Goal
Sam (1)
50th Minute - He ran with the ball down the left wing, advanced into the area and lobbed the goalkeeper.

Man of the Match
Ollie

Match Report provided by Ivan Rahal.