Match Report: Loko v Groovers

Sunday 12th April 2009
Friendly

Lokomotiv Londres FC 4 v Groovers 6

Goals galore in friendly 9-a-side!

As Hendrix FC have now folded, Loko did not have a game this weekend but thanks to Ivan we managed to get a last minute friendly against Groovers with everyone who attended getting their first ever free game for the Railwaymen as the pitch had already been paid for by the cancellation of another game.

Once again Loko had three new players in the team, which now takes the number of players pulling on the shirt in 22 games this season to a mind-boggling 55!!! Is it any wonder that we have struggled to win two games back to back this season and if we ever want to achieve anything in this league then people need to look at their commitment to the team.

Andrea went in goal, a back four of new boys Howard and Kevin with old boys Dale and Ivan. A midfield three of James, Pete and Philippe and Samuel in his second appearance up front.

The game was played on the small pitch in front of the changing rooms at Barn Elms and it was fast and furious and Groovers took the lead with a belter over Andrea from 35 yards. Loko should hve equalised instantly when Pete ran don the left, fed inside to Philippe who slipped the ball out to James who was clean though on the keeper but lent back and smacked the ball well over the bar. Samuel pulled a muscle shortly after and could hardly run and they then scored their second when the ball was fed through and slipped underneath Andrea.

Vincent arrived and replaced Samuel and both teams had chances but failed to score, Howard had a shot from the edge of the area and James and Pete both decided to pass when a shot would have been better. Groovers twice got in behind Vincent who had come on at right back and Andrea saved both times.

Half-Time Loko 0 v Groovers 2

The second half started and Loko just didn't look that bothered about winning, knowing this was a friendly and there was little desire and commitment to take the game to Groovers, who were down to 8 men with one of their players leaving at half-time.

The third goal for groovers came after around 65 minutes when the striker attacked Vincent, rounded him and fed the ball into the bottom corner. Although immediately Loko got back into the game when Pete fed Philippe who ran through on goal and slipped it under the keeper, despite claims of offside from Groovers players, although their manager Said played and reffed the game at the same time!

Five minutes later it was 4-1 when three players failed to put in a challenge on the edge of the box and he jinxed into a shooting position and hit the bottom corner. Dale went in goal and Andrea came out for his first game since his cruciate knee ligament injury, saved a one on one straight away but miskicked a clearance and was lobbed from the half way line for 5-1, a bit embarrassing.

Loko then staged a comeback of sorts when Philippe was again fed in, this time by James and he rounded the keeper to score, seconds later and he completed his hat-trick when the ball was played to the back post and tapped in for 5-3.

Groovers killed the game off when their player was played through on goal from the half way line and rounded Dale to score. The scoring was completed when Pete crossed to James at the back of the penalty area near the semi circle where he hit a first time half volley which lobbed the keeper.

Then typically Loko threw away chances to come back and equalise, James got on the end of Pete's cross from six yards but somehow managed to hit his shot wide and twice we had two players one on one with the keeper but managed to miscontrol the ball and allow Groovers to clear.

It was a shame that all the players didn't take this game seriously as it would have been good momentum going into our remaining two matches. It didn't help having their manager refereeing as some decisions against us were a little debatable and the free kick count against us was ridiculous, as they stopped playing and got a free kick over the littleist of contact.

Final Score Loko 4 v Groovers 6

Manager Dale Mellor's comments:
"It was a weird game, only 9-a-side on a small pitch and too many players didn't take it serious enough. It was a good chance to put one over them but we failed to perform. Having a further three new players didn't help but good finishing from Philippe and a handy hat-trick.

Two games to go and we can relax for the summer."

Team
1. Andrea
2 Kevin
3. Ivan
4. Dale
5. Howard
6. Pete (c)
7. Philippe
8. James
9. Samuel
10. Vincent (Replaced Samuel 15th Minute)

Goals
Philippe (3)
65th Minute - Slipped in by Pete and slotted under the keeper.
75th Minute - Slipped in by James, rounded the keeper to score.
80th Minute - Ball played to the back post and tapped in.
James (1)
85th Minute - Pete crossed and James hit a half volley from the back edge of the penalty area and lobbed the keeper.

Man of the Match
Pete (pictured above) - Non-stop energy in the centre of the park.

Match Report by Dale Mellor.