Friendly
Lokomotiv Londres FC 0 v Putney Ferrets 1
Shocking Penalty Gifts Ferrets Win
Loko had to play with two new players and two injured players in their squad this morning and it showed as the usual connections within the team were missing in a scrappy display.
It was a decent start early on and we pinned them back, Roger and Stefan got in behind on a couple of occasions but didn't have the pace to get away and get a shot in on target. The build up play was good and we kept the ball moving, Dave played Roger into the edge of the box and he drilled a shot into the keepers near post but he parried the ball away.
Shortly after some good play down the right saw a ball into the back post, Stefan hit a volley straight at the keeper then shortly afterwards drove in from the left and shot wide.
Ferrets came back into the game and had some possession in our half but Dale didn't have a save to make in the first half. Loko seemed to lose their way a little and started panicking on the ball and we struggled to retain it leading up to half-time.
Half-Time Loko 0 v Putney Ferrets 0
The team talk was that for the majority of the half we had been on top but we had to retain possession much better and ensure the midfield kept their shape. Unfortunately we didn't listen to instructions and we were following the ball everywhere and not holding shape.
Ferrets came at us and had a couple of chances when a ball went across the face of goal and out for a goal kick, then the striker got through and Dale parried a shot away which was cleared by the defenders at the second attempt.
This game was going to be settled by one goal and the referee gave an appalling penalty when a clean challenge on the byline was penalised after the striker fell over almost crying and screaming like a little girl who had fallen off her bike. It was the only way they were going to score and the penalty was a good one that settled in the top corner.
Loko went three up top with Steve pushing forward, and shortly after Stefan got through and lobbed the keeper but could only head the dropping ball wide with just a defender on the line to beat. Then an Adrian corner was cleared off the line three times in a goalmouth scramble and twice the ball was only a yard from going in.
Putney nearly wrapped it up when their striker got in on the angle turned and fired in a shot that Dale came out, closed down and blocked. Stefan at the other end had one last chance to even up the scores but curled over from just outside the box.
Final Score Loko 0 v Putney Ferrets 1
Manager Dale Mellor's comments:
"It was a scrappy game and we struggled to get the ball down and moving. The new players did well and both myself and Stefan did ok while carrying injuries. It was only a friendly and the referee gave them the game with a shocking penalty decision, we clearly won the ball but the girlie screams won them the decision. One league game to go, onto next week."
Monday Update
"We've had a bunch of sad individuals from Ferrets come on this website insulting our team Monday afternoon clearly showing their age, so I've had to disable comments.
They seem really proud that they have beaten a team also missing several key players, with one player playing with a torn hamstring, another playing after over a year out with back problems, and a fifteen year old in our team helping us out.
They could only beat us 1-0 with a penalty that blatently wasn't one and other than that I had two saves to make, what a caining that was then. What a mighty team we played yesterday with such footballing skill and tactical knowledge."
Team Line Up
1. Dale
2. Stefano
3. Ivan
4. Ismail
5. Steve (c)
6. Morris
7. Paul
8. Dave
9. Stefan
10. Roger
11. Adrian
12. Omar (Various Substitutions - Rolling)
13. Ishmayl (Various Substitutions - Rolling)
Man of the Match
Steve (pictured above) - Organised really well at the back and kept winning the challenges all over the backline.
Match Report by Dale Mellor.
