Match Report: Loko v FC Lonsdale

Sunday 18th September 2011
Sportsmans League Division 4

Lokomotiv Londres FC 4 v FC Lonsdale 2

Rampaging Loko Start Season Well!

The first game of the new season saw us up against familiar opposition in FC Lonsdale who we had beat in our three previous meetings.

It was a good squad for the first weekend and we lined up in our now customary 4-3-3 formation with Junior in goal, a back four from right to left of Ismail, Dale, Chris and captain Stefano, Tel was defensive midfield with Mark and Ed sat just in front and a front three of Imants, Dave K and Roger.

Loko started relatively slowly and Lonsdale were pressing early on but they were kept wide and were restricted to long range efforts with defenders throwing themselves in front of those time and again.

Ten minutes in and Loko took the lead with our first sustained period of pressure, Tel won the ball in midfield and laid it back to Dale on the half way line, he slipped the ball into Imants who fed ROGER in the box, and a first time turn and shot went across the line, hit the far post and bounced in.

The Railwaymen were now controlling matters and were playing some lovely football in our opponants half but were just lacking that last killer pass, with us getting caught in possession trying to take on too many when it really mattered.

A momentary lapse almost saw Lonsdale equalise when a ball was crossed to the back post and their player won the header but a full stretch save by Junior kept it level and Chris did well to muscle his way goalside and clear the ball.

Loko continued to pass the ball really well and the second came around the half an hour mark, the midfield kept the ball and fed DAVE K behind the defence and he ran one on one and slipped it past the keeper into the bottom corner.

Loko and Lonsdale exchanged long range efforts with both keepers making good saves but the defence of Loko was solid with Chris marking and Dale sweeping and it was a very positive first period.

Half-Time Loko 2 v FC Lonsdale 0

There were no changes at half-time and Roger told everyone that this was not yet won and we needed to keep the shape, discipline and commitment for the next forty five minutes.

Once again Lonsdale started the brighter and came at Loko from the whistle but the defence and midfield were standing up to the pressure well and Junior was loud and organised in goal, commanding his area and claiming anything that came within his zone.

On the one occasion when Junior was beat by their pacy winger's curled shot to the back post, Dale was on the line to head away and maintain our two goal lead.

That was key as a Mark throughball on fifty minutes saw Roger come back from an offside position and Imants make a late run from an onside position and run through, the keeper made a good save but DAVE K followed up and slotted into the empty net.

Five minutes later and Loko were in dreamland when Terry brought down a Lonsdale clearance and beautifully played in IMANTS on the edge of the box and he hit a first time drive full of power over the keeper into the roof of the net.

Morris came on for Ismail and shortly after Dave F came on for Imants.  As Loko tired Lonsdale started to press and Terry made a great last ditch slide to deflect the ball over the bar as the goal was exposed.

The pressure finally told when the little winger got behind the fullback and was down the left hand side of the pitch with Dale trying to come across, Junior decided to come out but did not get there first and the winger slotted into the empty net.

Shortly after and the team were again exposed but this time down Lonsdale's right when a ball was played through, Dale again tried to come across and slide but couldn't get the block before the shot was drilled in and it went under Junior into the net for two quick fire goals.

Loko stopped panicking and got their foot on the ball and spent the last ten minutes killing time at the right end of the pitch with a number of throw-ins and corners.

A Chris header was cleared off the line with the keeper beat and Mark somehow couldn't get a clean connection from four yards out and the ball went agonisingly past the post.

Final Score Loko 4 v FC Lonsdale 2

Club Secretary Ivan Rahal's comments:
"Great performance all around. Watching from the sidelines, midway through the second half, our play was reminiscent of our Sportsman's heyday, two years ago when we passed the ball around with great skill and composure. Our first winning start in three seasons was well deserved!"

Team Line Up
1. Junior
2. Ismail
3. Stefano (c)
4. Dale
5. Chris
6. Terry
7. Mark
8. Eudimar
9. Imants
10. Roger
11. Dave K
12. Morris (Replaced Ismail 55th Minute)
13. Dave F (Replaced Imants 60th Minute)
14. Ivan

Goals
Roger (1)
10th Minute - Turned in the box and unleased his fury in off the post.
Dave K (2)
30th Minute - One on one and slipped past the keeper.
50th Minute - Imants ran through and had a shot saved and Dave followed up with a tap in.
Imants (1)
55th Minute - He was played through by Tel and he hit a thunderbolt past the keeper.

Man of the Match
Terry - On account of his selflessness playing whilst carrying an injury that kept him awake the night before plus his relentless tackling, excellent distribution and flair. Well done!

Everybody played well today. Special mentions to Junior, Dale, Ed, Mark, Roger, Dave and Imants.

Match Report by Dale Mellor.