League - Sportsmans League, Division 2
Sunday 23 Sept
Loko 3 vs Real Northern B 2
LUCKY LOKO MAKE IT THREE IN A ROW
The sky was grey. The ref was late. The heavens opened. But Loko were up for it, especially once they had walked on the nice pitch surface at King’s House, our new home ground.
The problem was, so were Real Northern… They started dominating the midfield and, in true Loko fashion, we were very slow out of the starting blocks. We didn’t create much in the middle of the park and were hesitant in defence whilst, upfront, any attempts to threaten their goal was quickly snuffed out.
On 22 minutes, following a Loko corner that was easily repelled by their big defenders, Real Northern unleashed a devastating counter attack that saw the Loko defence being outnumbered and their right winger calmly slotting the ball into the empty net from 10 yards out.
Loko 0 vs Real Northern 1
This was followed 10 minutes later by another attack were the Loko defence found themselves out of position again. With their centre forward bearing down on Said as he was calmly trying to pass his way out of his own box, our usually dependable centre back got caught by their forward who nicked the ball off him inside the box and slammed it in mid air to the left of John and into the net.
Half time: Loko 0 vs Real Northern 2
Not the best first half Loko have played this season but the team clearly saw that there were chinks in the Real Northern armour.
Sure enough, Loko went for it all guns blazing in the second half but this meant leaving themselves open to yet another Real Northern counter attack.
On 56 minutes, a run down our left hand side saw our defence struggling to keep up with their attack but goalie John shot out of his goal and dived to his left to avert the attack. But, the luck of the Irish abandoned him as he let go of the ball. Their winger rounded him nicely, crossed the ball close to the byeline into the path of their number 7…
Loko’s hearts were in their mouths. It was obviously all over now as their winger simply had to slot the ball into the empty net. At 3-0, the game was up and the winning streak was all over.
What happened next was surreal to say the least. Their number 7 fluffed his lines from half a yard out in a way only a match-rigging cartel could have made up. Possibly the worst miss in the history of the Sportsman’s League and, thankfully, Manager Terry was on hand to clear the ball out of the way. This turned out to be the game’s turning point…
On 62 minutes, as their keeper was about to bounce the ball and launch another attack, KEVIN nicked the ball off him in mid air on the edge of the box and, as their defence remained statuesque, he took a shot as if in slow motion and the ball hit the inside of the upright into the net.
Loko 1 vs Real Northern 2
Five minutes later, Adil found himself clear on goal with only the advancing keeper to contend with but, inexplicably, he missed as he hit the goalie.
On 73 minutes, Kevin, again, got the ball on the edge of the box. Dave F pulled to the left and Kevin found him with a dinked chip. Our captain then controlled the ball on his chest and crossed with his left and found JAMES T in the middle of an open goal who coolly slotted it home from 6 yards out.
Loko 2 vs Real Northern 2
As the game was now settling and had all the signs of a draw, it was handbags on the pitch where Said touched the back of one of their forwards’ head and saw their man retaliate. Cue two red cards.
With only 5 minutes to go, Kevin took a corner from the right and ADIL stepped forward in the middle of a crowded box to head the ball into the empty net.
Loko 3 vs Real Northern 2.
The end of the game was a bit messy where one of their midfielders remonstrated with the Hungarian ref who flashed a red card, which their guy proceeded to grab off the ref and tear up in disgust. 3 red cards out of the ref’s pocket and 3 more points in the Loko bag.
Club secretary Ivan said: “That was close. We didn’t play well but we never gave up. Just like last week, the new Loko is showing amazing determination and team spirit. We’re now top of the league!”
Man of the Match: Four players stood out today: Lawrence grafted like mad in midfield, Tommy was splendid in defence, Terry was all over the pitch and saved us from defeat. Kevin worked very hard and had a hand in the 3 goals so the M.O.M award goes to him but the other 3 were strong contenders.
Line-up: John – Jake, Said, Tommy, Ivan (then Marcel, 46’) – Dave F, Lawrence, Kevin - Terry, Adil – James T
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