Captains Corner: April 2009

Your Captain Stefan Butler:

"What an end to the season that was!!! Is it the sunshine? Or maybe just a more settled squad for the manager to choose from? but either way, a terrific set of results and perfomances to match - so a big pat on the back to everyone!! WELL DONE BOYS!!! and when I say about the performances there were some great, very hard fought clean sheets in there that we really had to dig deep for, so lets not forget the defenders as well as attackers, as we are a team who play for each other after all.

Very pleasing to see some younger faces i.e. Joe and Tom in the team on a more regular basis giving us a bit more balance in terms of energy and pace, lets hope they along with the other new faces are still here at the beginning of the 2009-10 season.

Finally, for those going to Florence its essential now that this end of season form is the beginning of something bigger that we are about to achieve overseas. We have no reason to change our game and for a good number of us who have been on tour before, we know what to expect from the others teams and what we have to do to bring back the silverware.

See you for some friendly's or training sessions soon.

Be lucky!!!
Stef"

Final Barnesalona League Table 2008/09

		PL	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
1.	Sporting Lisbarnes	18	15	2	1	60	23	+37	47
2.	Celtic	18	15	0	3	70	27	+43	45
3.	West Ken Kings	18	10	3	5	47	26	+21	33
4.	Groovers	18	9	2	7	47	56	-9	29
5.	Lokomotiv Londres FC	18	9	1	8	29	36	-7	28
6.	London Bloods	18	7	4	7	44	42	+2	25
7.	Real Madras FC	18	6	2	10	42	45	-3	20
8.	Barnes FC	18	6	2	10	35	43	-8	20
9.	Uncle Bob's FC	18	3	3	12	19	42	-23	12
10.	Hendrix FC	18	0	1	17	15	68	-53	1

Match Report: Loko v Groovers

Sunday 26th April 2009
Barnesalona League

Lokomotiv Londres FC 3 v Groovers 0

Quality finish to the season...!

A fantastic performance from the lads saw us finish the season with five wins out of five in the league. A full team turned out and the gaffer was able to name nine of the same players that ended the week before, with Andrea again in goal, the same steady back four of PJ, Dale, Steve and Ivan. James on the right wing with Joe on the left and three centre midfielders in Tom, Stefan and Pete. Samuel led the line once again with Chris Clarke and Ismail on the bench.

Groovers lent one of our players, Chris Z, who had turned up without telling anyone he was coming and he played the whole game for them and this meant they started with ten men until their eleventh man arrived around the half an hour mark, but how we made them pay in the meantime.....

Loko got off to a fantastic start and heeded the managers words to close them down from the first whistle, continually winning the ball and playing the ball around fantastically well. The first goal arrived after ten minutes of pressure when a ball was played into the area and Stefan half hit the ball and the floor from just inside the left hand side of the penalty area and the ball settled in the bottom right hand corner of the net.

The railwaymen continued in the same vein with Dale, Steve, Ivan (pictured above) and PJ giving them very little opportunity to spend time in our area, and playing the balls into Tom, Stefan and Pete in midfield. From one such attack the ball was played through their defence who had played a ridiculously high line for sunday league football, and Samuel curved his run to stay onside and ran from the right touchline one on one and slipped it past the Groovers keeper for number two.

It had been a great start which got even better in the 25th Minute when sustained Loko pressure saw the ball ping backwards and forwards in the penalty area and the ball fell to Samuel on the right edge of the penalty area, where he stepped over the ball, wrongfooted the defender who lunged out and took his legs away. The referee had no option but to award the penalty and PJ stepped up for his sixth goal of the season, not a bad return for a defender.

Groovers were soon upto eleven men and started to press a lot more but other than a couple of long range efforts that went wide or over, Andrea did not have a save to make in the first half, he commanded his area well and gave his defence confidence.

Loko should have had a fourth goal before half-time when Stefan got his shot away that beat the keeper and trickled over the line, but the referee said the ball was cleared before it had crossed the line, when it should have been an even more handsome lead for the Londres.

Half-Time Loko 3 v Groovers 0

The half-time team talk was to keep playing exactly as we had, and try and get the ball wide a little more as it didn't need to go down the middle every time. Chris C came on for Ivan, and Ismail came on for Joe in straight swaps.

Groovers came at us early in the second half and we stood up well to the onslaught, with Steve and Dale keeping the centre forwards quiet the majority of the game, they pushed men on a lot more and this gave Loko the perfect opportunity to counter-attack.

Chris Z nearly got them a goal back when he got in behind the defence only for Steve to track back and put him off just as he shot from eight yards and Andrea saved well with his feet, then out of nowhere and for reasons that still baffle everyone who was there, the referee gave them a penalty for an apparant push by either Chris or Pete, but neither player raised their hands. Their player stepped up but Andrea guessed right and again pulled off a fantastic save with his feet to keep the clean sheet in tact.

Loko then hit them on the counter-attack with a stunning move nearly getting the fourth, when Dale curled a ball up the left wing, Samuel held it up superbly and hit a cross field ball to James on the right wing who played it inside to Stefan on the edge of the box who played a brilliantly timed ball in behind the centre back and full back for PJ to hit a first time shot that cannoned out off the inside of the post.

Again a delicate cheap over the top by Tom put Samuel away from the half way line but this time the ball bobbled just as he went to shot and the ball went well over the bar when he was one on one with the keeper.

James swapped with Andrea for the last fifteen minutes and Andrea came on and showed his silky skills on a couple of occasions especially when he skinned two players down by our own corner flag, winning the free kick.

The entire team was superb throughout with Samuel playing alone up front with ease, Pete chasing all around the pitch and Tom and Stefan working their socks off, the entire defence were once again solid, as they have been throughout the season and Chris C played well in the second half at left back. It's a shame we can't get more regulars to the Tournoi as we would be even more of a threat than we are at present!

Final Score Loko 3 v Groovers 0

Manager Dale Mellor's comments:
"Absolutely top notch performance, if we had had this team regularly throughout the season we would have been pushing for the championship. We throughly outplayed the team in fourth who had won the cup by beating the reigning league champions.

Well done for ending the season with a magnificent five wins ut of five, as I have no doubt we would have beaten Hendrix in both games on current form.

Let's look forward to the Tournoi and a few beers in the heat of Italy!"

Team Line Up
1. Andrea
2. PJ
3. Ivan
4. Dale
5. Steve
6. Tom [Y]
7. James
8. Pete
9. Stefan (c) [Y]
10. Samuel
11. Joe [Y]
12. Chris C (Replaced Ivan 45th Minute)
13. Ismail (Replaced Joe 45th Minute)

Goals
Stefan (1)
10th Minute - A scuffed shot that hit the bottom corner from fifteen yards out.
Samuel (1)
15th Minute - He broke the off-side trap and ran through to slip it past the keeper.
PJ (1 Pen)
25th Minute - Samuel was tripped and PJ hit the ball low to the keepers left.

Man of the Match
Samuel - It was a very good performance from Samuel, he played up front by himself brilliantly and held the ball up which allowed other players to come into play. He used the ball intelligently and showed good composure for his goal. Shame about the bobble when he ran through in the second half as he deserved to get another.

Match Report by Dale Mellor.

Match Report: West Ken Kings v Loko

Sunday 19th April 2009
Barnesalona League

West Ken Kings 0 v Lokomotiv Londres FC 1

Tiger Tom Steals the Points

Somewhat surprisingly Dale turned up this Sunday and had seen every player at least once before, which was somewhat of a novelty this season. Kings turned up with only ten players and managed to find our blue kit that they lost last season then proceeded to wear it again, let's see if we get it back washed next week.

Andrea kindly went in goal again this week with a back four of Joe, Dale, Steve and PJ. Michael played the holding midfielder role, James and Stefan on the wings with Tom and Peggy further forward in centre midfield with Peggy given licence to roam anyway up front. Samuel started up front with Ivan on the bench.

Loko started the game well and were talking and looking to pass the ball around and find our men to feet, the link up play was superb and we set up camp in the Kings half. Some tricky play on the left hand side of the Kings box by the byline saw Samuel shimmy past his man but lose control when attacking the six yard box, shortly afterwards Stefan (pictured above) had two long range efforts which forced the keeper into action and then Michael skewed a shot wide from the edge of the area, it was good to see us shooting.

Kings were making occasional counters into the Loko half and had three or four consecutive corners which were well defended with Dale winning all the headers and Steve sweeping up behind. Michael and Tom were sitting well in the centre winning the ball and Loko were giving them no time on the ball all over the park.

Loko could have been ahead with ten minutes of the half remaining when the ball made it's way out to PJ who smashed one against the crossbar from 30 yards. Kings pressed for the last couple of minutes of the half and had a long range effort pushed round the post by Andrea and a couple of long range efforts that went wide.

Half-Time West Ken Kings 0 v Loko 0

The talk at half time was about using that extra man a little better, get the ball wide and swing some crosses in, and to also stop panicking when we get the ball in space in their half and look for that final pass with more movement from the front players.

The game turned into more of a midfield battle in the second half with us trying to get the ball wide but taking that split second too long and getting closed down at the last minute before being able to spread the play wide.

Joe twice made great runs down the left hand side and got balls into the box but we were unable to get on the end of things, and Samuel and Stefan were doing great jobs in holding up the ball and playing the easy balls. From one such Stefan pass Peggy found himself clear on the right hand side of the penalty area but hit his shot over the bar, followed almost immediately by Stefan chasing a ball over the top of the defence from Tom and hit the ball first time against the keeper who had come off his line and made a great block.

Shortly after Samuel who was carrying a knock from the previous week was replaced by Ivan with twenty minutes to go and Ivan slotted in at left back, Joe pushed onto the left wing and Stefan went up top. Andrea commanded his area well when he had to but didn't have a save to make in the second half.

The goal eventually came in the 75th Minute when the ball was played through midfield and Tom ran clear from the half way line, showed good strength in holding off the challenge of the covering defender and lobbed the keeper from the edge of the area.

Loko saw out the remainder of the match quite comfortably and with the forfeited wins against Hendrix FC we have now gained four wins on the trot and 12 points out of 12.

Final Score West Ken Kings 0 v Loko 1

Manager Dale Mellor's comments:
"A decent peformance by every player, we seemed up for the game more than in recent weeks, closing them down quickly, communicating with each other and everyone wanting the ball.

It was a very professional performance as we were only up against ten men, but we created a lot of chances and finally stuck one away when Tom scored a peach. It would be good if we could start taking our chances and making these games more comfortable for ourselves.

One game of the season remaining and it would be nice to get a result this season against Groovers and end the season on a five league match winning run."

Team Line Up
1. Andrea
2. PJ
3. Joe
4. Dale
5. Steve
6. Michael
7. James
8. Tom
9. Peggy
10. Samuel
11. Stefan (c)
12. Ivan (Replaced Samuel 70th Minute)

Goal
Tom (1)
75th Minute - Ran clear, held off the defender and lobbed the keeper from the edge of the box.

Man of the Match
Tom - Played well going forward and when defending and scored a cracking goal. However, it was close this week and it could have gone to a number of good performances.

Match Report by Dale Mellor.

Player of the Season 2008/09

It is getting to that time of the season and this year will be a little different to previous seasons relating to voting for player of the season. Previously this was voted for at the tournoi by those who attended, but this will now be awarded after the last game of the season against Groovers.

To be eligible to cast your vote you must have played in at least five games (including substitute appearances) by the last day of the season including friendlies which you can see by clicking on the 2008/09 squad list and you can vote for any of the 55 players on the squad list.

Please take into account games played and commitment to the team , consistency, goals scored and quality of performance including all round team play and in-game support for teammates, and the deadline for your vote is Friday 24th April 2009 at 6pm.

Please email lokomotivlondresfc@hotmail.co.uk with your choice and put Player of the Season 2008/09 as your title.

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.

Match Report: Loko v Uncle Bob's FC

Sunday 5th April 2009
Barnesalona League

Lokomotiv Londres FC 1 v Uncle Bob's FC 0

Lokomotiv back to winning ways...

After the disappointment of the previous week’s match cancellation, due to Hendrix’s folding, and the last minute loss to Celtic, the Loko-men were keen to get a win under their belts.

On a hard pitch but in very pleasant weather conditions, Lokomotiv started the game well. Although they didn’t perform to the best of their ability, the Railwaymen kept it together, with the added benefit of being under very little threat from Uncle Bob. The passing was very scrappy and the determination was not always there.

However, Andrea, who played in goal because of his knee injury, didn’t have to make any significant saves but commanded his area and the defence in a very efficient way. All in all, nothing much happened in the first half despite a few half-hearted Lokomotiv inroads into the Uncle Bob penalty box.

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

The second half stated much brighter with Lokomotiv dominating the midfield and penetrating the sluggish Uncle Bob defence. Tom was weaving in and out of the midfield, Peggy was darting down the wing, past defenders as if they didn’t exist, Peter was dominating the Uncle Bob attackers in his usual vigorous way.

Uncle Bob were running out of energy and not creating much whilst Lokomotiv were creating a lot. On three occasions, newcomer Samuel ran onto balls despatched from midfield but unfortunately missed his chances. Stefan took a free kick from the left hand side and pinged the ball a la Beckham but their goalkeeper was pulling off some good saves and showing good positioning sense.

Was this going to be yet another frustrating Lokomotiv draw? Not so! With only 5 minutes to go, Peggy dashed down the right hand side of the pitch past a bamboozled Uncle Bob defender and cut the ball back into the path of Joe who, just like he had been saying all morning, despatched the ball hard just above the goalkeeper and into the net.

Victory at last!

Final Score Loko 1 v Uncle Bob's FC 0

Assistant Manager Ivan Rahal's comments:
“We’re all delighted with the win…Great effort from the whole team, in particular assured Andrea in goal, hard working Peter in defence, mesmerizing Tom in midfield and speedy Peggy up front…”

Goal
Joe (1)
85th Minute - Peggy ran down the right and pulled the ball back for Joe to place the ball over the keeper for the winner.

Team
1. Andrea
2. Joe
3. Ivan
4. PJ
5. Pete
6. Michael
7. Peggy
8. Tom
9. Chris Z
10. James
11. Stefan (c)
12. Gareth (Replaced Stefan 55th Minute)
13. Samuel (Replaced Chris Z 45th Minute)

Man of the Match
Peggy (pictured above) - Fantastic performance and created the winner.

Match Report by Ivan Rahal.