Match report - FC Lonsdale - Loko

Sunday 29th January 2012

Friendly

FC Lonsdale 2 v Lokomotiv Londres FC 2 

A tale of the awol ref and 2 misses

No doubt, the 12 Loko-men who turned up promptly at Riverside Lands on a crisp January morning had no idea they were in for a genuine rollercoaster of a match.

With the referee not turning up, Loko were made to kick their heels for an extra 30 minutes. At that point, both teams agreed to referee in turns.

Loko started with a conservative 4-4-3 with new keeper James R standing in for regular goalie Junior. The game was flowing from box to box but Loko were certainly attacking in a more threatening fashion with Terry, James P and Imants often slicing the sluggish Lonsdale defence open. 

In midfield, Gavyn was making his presence felt and got away with quite a few very dangerous tackles that incensed Lonsdale no end.

However, on 28 minutes, Marcel (pictured above) tripped their forward in our box.  Penalty. Their midfielder placed his shot low to the ground but James R pulled off a prodigious save by diving to his left and deflecting the kick into corner. Cue celebrations, hugs and a massive confidence boost for our new goalie.

On 31 minutes, Marcel headed the ball from the halfway line into the path of Imants, who passed to Terry. With JAMES running through the defence, Terry laid the ball on to him on the right hand side of the box for our speedy forward to shoot low to the bottom left of the keeper and into the net in spectacular style.

FC Lonsdale 0, Lokomotiv 1

Four minutes later, with Loko pushing Lonsdale close to their goal line, JAMES’s nimble feet did the talking again when he turned his defender like a flash and despatched the ball with venom to the bottom right of their goal and into the net.

FC Lonsdale 0, Lokomotiv 2

It all looked very promising and Loko were now flying with Imants, Terry and James shooting on sight. Things looked even rosier when Loko were awarded a clear cut penalty just a few minutes later. This was Loko’s chance to give themselves an irretrievable advantage. Imants tried to place the ball to the left of their keeper but their diminutive number 1 saved the penalty with panache.  Loko keeper 1, Lonsdale keeper 1… 

With 5 minutes to half time, their referee blew for a foul on the left hand side of our box when Ivan clattered into their forward. The resulting freekick flew over the wall and was heading for our top left corner; James caught the ball but it slipped from his grasp and ended up in the back of our net.

FC Lonsdale 1, Lokomotiv 2

The second half started with new guy Matthew taking over as ref – and what an introduction it was! Although keen to direct play in an even-handed way, Matthew found himself on the receiving end of constant rebukes by the Lonsdale players. Our new ref was finding it increasingly difficult to restore peace, especially when Gavyn’s foul on one of their players – a clear red card for all to see – went unpunished.

Ivan took over from Matthew and tried to calm things down but pressure was mounting by the minute.  

On 69 minutes, Matthew took out their defender on the left hand side of our box and Ivan had no alternative but to award Lonsdale a penalty. Their midfielder placed it to the left of James who got his hand on it but the ball trickled over the goal line.  

FC Lonsdale 2, Lokomotiv 2

From then on, it became a real battle with aggressive play on both sides and countless fouls. This mayhem was only occasionally interspersed with a few spectacular overhead kicks courtesy of Terry, incursions by James and Imants and good defending by Steve and Stefano in particular.

With 10 minutes on the clock, Imants found himself in a dangerous position on the right hand side of their box but their defender fouled him and Ivan awarded Loko a penalty. This decision triggered deafening protestations from Lonsdale who claimed that Imants had handballed it. 

Amidst the recriminations and shouting, their keeper simply walked off the pitch and so did half their team. As both clubs had agreed that the result would count and sensing that Loko were keen to finish the job, Ivan reluctantly overturned his own decision and awarded Lonsdale a goal kick. But it was all in vain. Lonsdale had decided that they'd had enough. They insisted that the result wouldn’t stand and that it should be counted as a friendly. Over to the league for their decision to call a rematch or award Loko the win, with the former the more likely outcome.

Final score:  FC Lonsdale 2, Lokomotiv 2

Club Secretary Ivan Rahal said: “Some of our play today was very aggressive and some of our tackles probably deserved a few yellow cards or even a red card in one particular incident. Playing a physical game is fine, but as we found out in our previous game, a red card will always be a threat. This can cost us not only vital points but fines too. It also gives me additional admin work, which frankly I can ill afford, so it's now time to cut it out. Having said that, Lonsdale were no saints either and proved very bad (potential) losers. If there is a rematch, it's likely to take place in February or March so let’s get the result we certainly deserved today.” 

Man of the Match: JAMES P– fast and lethal – brilliant performance all around. Special mention  to James R in goal, Steve, Stefano, Imants and Terry.

Line-up:

James R

Stefano

Steve

Chris

Ivan (then Matthew 60 minutes)

Gavyn

Morris

Marcel

Terry

James P

Imants

Renato's wonder goal

Check out Renato's solo effort against Kensington Athletic back on 4th December 2011

Match report - Loko - Pacific Sporting Jubilee

Sunday 22nd January 2012

Sportsman's League, Division 4

Lokomotiv Londres FC 2 v Pacific Sporting Jubilee 4

Dire Loko lose niggly encounter

After a good performance the week before, Lokomotiv were looking forward to a good win against a team that we beat soundly back in November and who are currently propping up Division 4.

Looking around the pitch though, it was obvious that our opponents had beefed up their defence and recruited new attacking players since last year’s demolition.

Loko were very poor right from the start. Our 5-3-2 formation was not really working as Jubilee were flooding the midfield, our passes from the back didn’t get anywhere and our attacks were few and far between. Jubilee were becoming more and more menacing, especially on their right wing and it was all hands on deck trying to avert the nimble-footed Jubilee forwards.

Luckily, a freak goal broke the deadlock. On 21 minutes, TERRY, who has been covering in goal for the past two games, accomplished what he enjoys the most – scoring goals. This was a long-shot, namely a free kick from just outside his box, 80 yards out. No doubt, the strong wind helped but his shot flew over the Jubilee defence, bounced in the box and crashed to the right of their motionless goalkeeper.

Lokomotiv 1 Pacific Sporting Jubilee 0

This beauty was, unfortunately, followed by an unnecessary incident. As Loko were under the cosh, Chris urged Morris to stop giving silly free kicks away and told him in no uncertain terms that he’d take him off at half time if he continued doing so. Our fiery tempered Irishman saw red, responded that he might as well take him off now and just walked off the pitch to everybody’s surprise and new boy James’s likely delight at a Loko start earlier than originally scheduled.

A few timid Loko attacks saw us threaten their defence with in particular a Dave K header that flew just over the bar from a corner by Dave F but the two teams were now neutralising each other.

Half time: Lokomotiv 1 Pacific Sporting Jubilee 0

The second half saw Loko take to the field with a reshuffled backline and a more adventurous 4-4-2. Again, Loko were not being the most fluent to the evident frustration of Imants who was kicking his heels whilst waiting for a decent pass on the halfway line. For a short while and despite the very strong wind, Loko did manage to develop a few convincing attacks but did not manage to capitalise on Jubilee’s weak goalie.

However, it looked like it was going to be Loko’s lucky day after all. On 53 minutes, Imants and James exchanged a short and sweet one-two on the halfway line followed by Imants's deep pass that carved open the Jubilee defence. JAMES outpaced and rounded the sluggish defence, scarpered down the right wing and drilled his shot low to the right of the keeper from the edge of the box and into the net.

Lokomotiv 2 Pacific Sporting Jubilee 0

The feeling across the park was that Loko didn’t really deserve to be in the lead because Jubilee’s play belied their low league position. Shortly after the goal, Chris (pictured) was involved in argy bargy with their Caribbean forward in scenes that belonged more in a wrestling match or rugby field than on a football pitch. Chris complained to the ref and so did their forward and they both got yellow-carded. The ref was arguably spending too much time talking his decisions through as opposed to trying to keep the situation under control and ensuring the game could go on. Following yet another foul, though, he did warn Chris that this was going to be his final warning. Ivan did also try to restrain Chris but things never really calmed down.

Shortly after that, Jubilee reduced the deficit from a free-kick from the right side of our defence that saw the Jubilee manager score an unlikely goal from 2 yards out.

To Loko’s utter astonishment, this was followed by an ominous, well taken equaliser. Then, Jubilee scored twice in quick succession. With less than 10 minutes to go in this unfolding nightmare, Loko found themselves down to 10 and in total disarray when Chris fouled their centre forward on the left side of our defence and the ref followed up on his threat and, as expected, red carded our manager.

Final score:  Lokomotiv 2 Pacific Sporting Jubilee 4

Club Secretary Ivan Rahal said: “A very poor performance all around. Away from the technical side though, I feel that we were the architects of our own downfall. With the score flattering us, we got a bit too cocky and didn’t give Jubilee the respect they deserved. We lost our concentration trying to bully them and being drawn into silly arguments instead of focusing on our game and containing them. Let’s focus on winning games with our heads and our feet, not our fists.”

Man of the Match: Special mention to new boy James, who fitted well into the team, showed great speed and levels of fitness and crowned it all with a well taken, opportunistic goal. M.O.M though goes to TERRY, who scored the goal of the season so far, was vocal and supportive in goal and was never at fault on Jubilee’s goals.

Line-up:
Terry
Morris (then James, 29 mins)
Steve
Marcel
Chris
Steve
Dave J
Dave F
Alejandro
Dave K (then Serik, 59 mns)
Imants  

Sportsmans Div 4 Results

Sunday 15th January

Northcote Falcons 0 v Parklife 'B' 3
Lokomotiv Londres FC 2 v South West Wolves 2
Pacific Sporting Jubilee 2 v Kensington Athletic 2

The table has now been updated

Match preview: Loko vs Pacific Sporting Jubilee

Competition: Sportsmans League Division 4
Opponents: Pacific Sporting Jubilee (A)
Date: 22nd January 2012
Kick Off Time: 10.30am
Meeting Time: 9.45am
Location: ILEA, Raynes Park Playing Fields, Raynes Park
Directions: Get the train from either London Waterloo (20 Min), Vauxhall (15 Min) or Clapham Junction (10 Min) direct to Raynes Park. Walk out of the station and head south down Grand Drive, about 15 Min walk to the playing fields on your left, just past the mini roundabout and road called Southway. See the map.
Subs: £6 (£3 subs/substituted)
See Map:


View Larger Map
Squad: Terry, Marcel, Steve, Chris, Ivan, Morris, Serik, Dave J, Dave F, Alejandro, Imants, James P, James

Match report - Loko - South West Wolves

Sunday 15th January 2012

Sportsman's League, Division 4

Lokomotiv Londres FC 2 v South West Wolves 2

Solid Loko secure deserved point

With two players having to pull out at the 11th hour due to family illness, Loko took the field with a bare 11 on a crisp, sunny Sunday morning.

The absent gaffer’s orders were to defend deep in the first half to avoid a repetition of the last game of 2011 when South West Wolves beat us soundly. Captain Steve’s formation was therefore a cautious 5-3-2. Within a few minutes of kick-off, it was obvious that this was the right tactic for Loko were composed and soaking up South West Wolves’s pressure.

However, on 19 minutes a loose ball from the right somehow made its way into the centre of our defence and, with Steve tracking back, the ball spun into the air with our captain disorientated and stand-in keeper Terry exposed as their centre forward gave Steve the slip and crucified Terry from two yards out. This could have been a sign that the floodgates were about to open but Loko dusted themselves down and applied themselves even more.

On 31 minutes, Imants (pictured) shook off his marker on the right hand side of their box but his shot missed the goal by a few inches. On 36 minutes, Dave F drilled a shot from 20 yards out and it all but looked like a sure equaliser, yet it hit the upright and Greg failed to convert the rebound from two yards out.

Half time: South West Wolves 1 – Loko 0

As the second half got underway, Loko were on fire. The ball was being passed around crisply, the defensive formation was being as solid as ever whilst Loko’s midfield were launching numerous attacks and South West Wolves were on the back foot.

On 47 minutes, Dave F passed from the right hand side of midfield to Greg on the right hand side who lost his marker and cleverly back-heeled to ALEJANDRO who wriggled past a defender into the right hand side of their box and drilled the ball into the bottom right hand side of their goal with aplomb from a closed angle. Cue Alejandro’s ecstatic facial expression and smiles all around. South West Wolves 1 – Loko 1.

Smiles were wiped off our faces within a few minutes though as a cross from the left saw South West Wolves score but their goal was disallowed for pushing Morris in the back. A second disallowed goal followed within minutes when a long ball on the left hand side of our defence saw their winger slip past Marcel, Serik and Ivan and score from an impossible angle but the quiet yet decisive referee called it offside.

On 67 minutes though, an attack on the right hand side of our defence saw their left winger dribble past two Loko defenders and shoot from the byeline. The ball came off Serik and went through Terry’s legs and trickled into our goal. South West Wolves 2 – Loko 1.

Thankfully, this setback didn’t seem to affect Loko’s momentum. Marcel was playing out of his skin on the left side of defence, Steve was sweeping up left, right and centre, Greg was showing some deft touches up front and Imants was spraying balls around at will.

Loko’s efforts were rewarded on 72 minutes. Following a cross from the right, a scramble ensued in their box. Steve spun around from five yards in an attempt to shoot on goal but one of their central defenders took his leg. Penalty. Now Loko haven’t scored from the penalty spot since 2010 so this one had to be thought through. Dave F was up for it and so was Terry. However, Imants wasn't in the mood for negotiation: he grabbed the ball, placed it firmly on the penalty spot and despatched it confidentially to the left of their keeper. South West Wolves 2 – Loko 2.

A last gilt-edged chance to win the game went begging when Imants’s low cross from the right met Greg’s left foot but his shot went just over the bar.

Final score: South West Wolves 2 – Loko 2

Club Secretary Ivan Rahal said: “A good start to 2012 despite us missing a few key players. Steve got his formation spot on, the defence was solid, the midfield was inventive and the attack incisive.” 

Man of the Match: “Everybody played well today. Special mention to Greg who, despite missing most of the season, showed great ambition today, whilst Marcel was dynamic and tackled hard in defence. But the M.O.M award goes to IMANTS for his exceptional distribution and composure.

Line-up:

Terry

Morris

Steve

Serik

Ivan

Marcel

Dave J

Dave F

Alejandro

Greg

Imants

Match preview: Loko vs South West Wolves

Competition: Sportsmans League Division 4
Opponents: South West Wolves (A)
Date: 15th January 2012
Kick Off Time: 10.30am
Meeting Time: 9.45am
Location: Riverside Lands, Chiswick, W4 2SH
Directions:
By train - Barnes Bridge crossing is by the London platform, once at end of Barnes Bridge, go down the steps and turn left and follow the path by the tracks until you come to a tunnel on your left, go under and follow the road back to the river until you arrive at Chiswick Boat House.
By car - From the A316, head towards Duke's Meadows ... When you get to the (Esporta) Riverside Health and Racquets Sports Club (might have been rebranded as Virgin Active now), turn left under the bridge, follow the road round, past the Chiswick Rugby Club pitch and then you will see a small car park a bit hidden away from the road. Park there and go up the stairs to the changing rooms.
Subs: £6 (£3 Subs/Substituted)
See Map:


View Larger Map

Squad: Junior, Steve, Ivan, Dave J, Morris, Gavyn, Marcel, Alejandro, Dave F, Terry, Imants, Greg, Serik