Match Report: Pacific Sporting Jubilee v Loko

Sunday 2nd October 2011
Sportsmans League Division 4

Pacific Sporting Jubilee 0 v Lokomotiv Londres FC 6

Loko Storm Over The Pacific

The build-up to today’s game was eventful to say the least – one of our star players Terry turned up on crutches after suffering a hairline fracture on his foot the day before. The mobile-less ref was nowhere to be found and had to be replaced at the last minute with the game consequently kicking off thirty minutes late.

But much better things lay round the corner for Loko who started on the front foot and had a good go at breaching Pacific’s spineless defence.

On three minutes, a long ball from the midfield over their defence saw IMANTS chest the ball down on the edge of the box and strike the ball past their goalkeeper into the net.

Loko were developing their attacking game in the opponents’ half with only the occasional Pacific counter-attack. Roger, Dave K and Imants were on fire, our midfield were aggressive and pushing forward too whereas Dave J was making a great comeback after his injury.

Pacific were all at sea, however, their counter-attacks left us exposed on a few occasions where their attempts on goal failed because of their wastefulness and Junior’s authoritative presence in our box.

On thirty minutes, a long cross from the right saw their goalkeeper fail to catch the ball in the air on the right hand side of his goal. ROGER, who’d been lurking in the box found himself one-on-one with their goalie, collected the ball to his feet, rounded the keeper and slotted it into the empty net.

With five minutes to half-time, Loko scored another goal which was disallowed because the referee called a foul on the edge of the box instead of playing the advantage rule.

Half-Time Pacific Sporting Jubilee 0 v Loko 2

During the break, Roger made it clear to the team that their performance still left a lot to be desired but with only one available substitute the only change was Morris coming on for Stefano.

Although Pacific were becoming more menacing, Loko were dominating in all areas of the pitch and outflanking the rather submissive Pacific defence at every opportunity.

Imants was immense in midfield, controlling the ball and laying it on for Dave and Roger who were outmuscling their defenders at every opportunity whereas Ed was twisting and turning non-stop and running their left back ragged.

Roger should have scored when an Ed centre was headed wide from six yards out and then Dave K twisted and turned in the box but his shot from right in front of goal was blocked by a defender and went out for a corner.

On the hour mark, Ed played the ball into Roger in the box who turned his man and laid it across from the left into DALE who placed the ball past the keeper into the bottom corner.

Imants went on another slalom past several defenders and hit the woodwork from twenty yards out. Chris was even venturing forward into the box and fancying his chances against their hesitant keeper.

This was followed by the fourth goal on the seventy minute mark when ROGER ran his man down the left side of the box and slotted past the keeper.

Moments later and Loko had a fifth, when ROGER ran through after a good ball by Dave K and he rounded the keeper to bag his hat-trick.

Loko were now on fire and with just ten minutes remaining our temporary gaffer had his fourth and the teams sixth when the ball found Imants on the left side of the box, he turned two men inside out and crossed to the back post for ROGER to side foot home.

It was plain to see that Roger was visibly over the moon for rediscovering his free-scoring touch after a few pre-season attempts to play a more defensive role.

Final Score Pacific Sporting Jubilee 0 v Loko 6

Club Secretary Ivan Rahal's comments:
"A terrific performance all around today, Loko were strong in defence, aggressive and creative in midfield and clinical in attack. Our opponents are likely to struggle this season but full credit to the team for working very hard from the word go on a truly awful pitch. This is a record win for Loko - our biggest score since April 2007!"

Team Line Up
1. Junior
2. Dave J
3. Stefano
4. Chris
5. Steve (c)
6. Dale
7. Eudimar
8. Ismail
9. Dave K
10. Roger
11. Imants
12. Morris (Replaced Stefano 45th Minute)
13. Ivan

Goals
Imants (1)
3rd Minute - Imants latched onto a ball over the top, brought the ball down and slotted past the keeper into the bottom corner.
Roger (4)
30th Minute - Roger jumped with the keeper but the keeper dropped the ball and he slipped it into the empty net.
70th Minute - Roger picked up the ball just outside the box, ran his man down the left and slotted past the keeper.
75th Minute - Dave K put a ball over the top for Roger to round the keeper and score.
80th Minute - Imants skinned two players and crossed to the back post for Roger to sidefoot home from a couple of yards out.
Dale (1)
60th Minute - Ed played the ball into Roger who turned his man and knocked a ball across the six yard line for Dale to take a touch and slam home in front of goal.

Man of the Match
Imants - Everybody played well today. Special mention to Dave J, Ed, Dave K and in particular Roger for his opportunistic four goals. Man of the Match however goes to Imants who was magnificent up front, a true old school number ten with great vision and flair.

Full Match Report by Ivan Rahal edited by Dale Mellor.