Barnesalona League
Barnes FC 3 v Lokomotiv Londres FC 1
Monsoon-Ravaged Loko Fall Short
Thirteen keen Loko-men gathered at Barnes Elms on a Sunday that started bright and summer-like. But conditions soon turned nasty. A few minutes after kick-off the heavens opened, making play virtually impossible. Throw-ins never got anywhere. Passes spiralled up in the air. With the lashing rain and gale-force wind blowing against Lokomotiv, visibility was minimal and resistance was futile.
Lokomotiv were on the defensive throughout the first half in arguably the most hostile weather conditions in the club’s history. Despite Dale (pictured above) and PJ desperately trying to shore up the defence, Michael imposing his presence in midfield and Stefan and Peggy attempting to push Noah’s Ark out, Lokomotiv were fighting a losing battle against the elements.
Barnes’s physical onslaught was eroding the Lokomen’s defence and midway through the first half, a long range effort rebounded off Ismail's right hand and instead of punching it over the bar, it ended up in the path of an oncoming Barnes forward who slotted the ball into the open goal unchallenged.
Half-Time Barnes FC 1 v Loko 0
Manager Dale’s half time talk remained positive as he stressed the fact that Lokomotiv would now be able to capitalise on the wind in the second half. Little did he know. Sure enough, just before the referee motioned to resume play, the wind abated and the sun started peeping out from behind the clouds. This lucky break for Barnes FC certainly affected team morale as Lokomotiv never managed to get a grip, although the passing got slightly better as the game progressed.
Unfortunately, Barnes doubled their advantage midway through the second half. A cross that was not challenged too vigorously by the Lokomotiv defence on the left hand side of the goalmouth was headed by a Barnes forward into the path of one of his teammates who slammed the ball into the open goal. Then followed a third Barnes goal to put paid to the Railwaymen’s weak efforts.
Despite an end-of-match rally that resulted in latecomer Chris Zinga slotting the ball from a cross, Lokomotiv were well and truly beaten.
Final Score Barnes FC 3 v Loko 1
Assistant Manager Ivan Rahal's comments:
“This was definitely Lokomotiv’s worst game this year - complete with schoolboy’s errors and diabolical passing. The weather conditions didn’t help and many key regulars are still missing. However, our current makeshift team still need time to get to know each other but we need to be more vocal, encourage each other and become more aggressive – especially against our next opponent Celtic, who have turned their physical engagement into a major weapon.”
Team Line Up
1. Ismail
2. Vincent
3. Ivan
4. Dale
5. PJ
6. Michael
7. Peggy
8. Adrian
9. Stefan (c)
10. Fabrizio
11. Joe
12. Dean (Replaced Vincent 45th Minute)
13. Chris Z (Replaced Fabrizio 65th Minute)
Goal
Chris Z (1)
80th Minute - A ball in from the wing was slotted home by Chris who has now scored two in two games for Loko.
Man of the Match
Michael - He was the midfield dynamo on the day.
Match Report by Ivan Rahal.
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