Sportsmans League Division 3
Lokomotiv Londres FC 2 v Kew Antigua 'C' 5
Loko Run Out of Steam & Collapse
Loko had fourteen men turn up including a new keeper and were quietly optimistic that they could put in a decent performance and get a result against third place Kew Antigua 'C'.
However, like most games we didn’t start too well with players giving the ball away too easily and panicking which let the opposition dominate the midfield area early on. It is fair to say that, during the first twenty five minutes, our goal led a charmed life with a few efforts just wide or hitting the post and a few saves from our new keeper James.
As the first half went on, Loko rode their luck and then started to place a few passes together and get a rhythm going with some good build-up play which resulted in some dangerous attacks. Loko could see a goal coming and it did with about ten minutes until half-time.
There was some good link-up play between Stefano and Joe and the ball was passed to Marc who took on a couple of defenders on the edge of the box and had a shot that took a slight deflection and beat the opposition keeper for a 1-0 Loko lead.
For the rest of the half Loko soaked up the pressure and went in with the lead.
Half-Time Loko 1 v Kew Antigua 'C' 0
Loko could sense that Kew did not like being down to the second bottom team and would come out strong so we carried on attacking and within five minutes we were two nil up.
There was some good link-up play in the midfield between Joe and Marc who then passed the ball to Dave (pictured above). Our forward weaved in and out left and right into the box, dribbling past two players, beating the central defender for pace and scuffed a shot goalwards. The opposition keeper had already started to dive the other way resulting in Dave's effort crossing the line and a 2-0 lead.
As soon as we had scored the second goal we relaxed too much and Kew passed the ball through our team too easily. There was a shot, which wasn’t cleared properly and it was left for their player to tap it in at the near post behind the defenders.
This goal seemed to shock Loko and we started to panic on the ball again rather than get the ball down and play football. Kew capitalised on this and they sensed an equaliser, however Loko continued to soak up the constant pressure and had a couple of attacks themselves until the last ten minutes.
On one of them, Joe sped along the touchline past his marker and crossed the ball to oncoming Roland who found himself clear on goal on the edge of the box but he scuffed his shot.
There was ten minutes left and with a combination of substitutes and losing our shape with players not knowing where they were playing or their role, we conceded a further four goals and lost 5-2.
This late collapse can only be put down to some poor defending and as new players came on, the shape changed, there was not enough communication and the Kew players were not getting picked up.
This was giving them far too much time and space on the ball and allowed them to score soft goals. It was a brave effort but yet again we were in a winning position late on in the game and threw it away to lose.
Final Score Loko 2 v Kew Antigua 'C' 5
Club Secretary Ivan Rahal's comments:
“I took myself off mid-way through the second half and watched the game from the side of the pitch where my feelings went from a mixture of excitement and anxiety to total despair. In the gaffer’s absence I recognise that I should have given the two midfield substitutes clearer instructions as to their midfield positions and roles.
However, we cannot take away the fact that Kew Antigua have a decent side and were probably better than us on the day. All things considered, though, conceding 4 goals in the last 10 minutes undoubtedly shows that our overall fitness is not up to scratch. If the squad players are up for it and prepared to commit, we should seriously consider training midweek.
We now have a well deserved two week break and three more games in May plus the European Tournament at Bisham Abbey to look forward to so let’s forget about today and hope for good performances once our regular players are back …"
Team Line Up
1. James F
2. Stefano
3. Ivan
4. Chris
5. Steve (c)
6. Eudimar [Y]
7. Marc
8. Joe
9. Michael
10. Dave
11. Diego
12. Greg (Replaced Michael 45th Minute)
13. Tim (Replaced Ivan 65th Minute)
14. Roland (Replaced Greg 65th Minute)
Goals
Marc (1)
35th Minute - There was some good link-up play between Stefano and Joe and the ball was passed to Marc who took on a couple of defenders on the edge of the box and had a shot that took a slight deflection and beat the opposition keeper.
Dave (1)
50th Minute - Our forward weaved in and out left and right, dribbling past two players, beating the central defender for pace and scuffed a shot goalwards. The opposition keeper had already started to dive the other way resulting in Dave's effort to cross the line.
Man of the Match
Joe - He worked tirelessly for the team and contributed some lovely passes. Plus, Joe is already setting the example with his very positive attitude. Well done!
Special mentions to James who came in at the eleventh hour and had a cracking game in goal and Marc who worked hard for the team.
Match Report by Chris Clarke edited by Ivan Rahal.
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