Ron Halfacre Challenge Cup (Semi-Final)
Sunday 3 March
Wessex Rangers 0 vs Loko (Loko win 5-3 on penalties)
LOKO BREAK 23-YEAR VOODOO AND REACH FIRST DOMESTIC CUP FINAL IN HISTORY
Needless to say, everybody was up for it today against our bogey team who've beaten us twice in the league this season.
Loko started slowly and the game was very cagey with too many balls going astray. Chances were also few and far between. A James T cross on 12 minutes saw Terry ideally positioned 2 yards out but his header was easily parried by their keeper. On 21 minutes a half overhead volley by Jake who was pushing forward non-stop missed the target by a few inches. Wessex were not creating much but were preventing our forwards from developing their game.
The second part of the first half looked more promising though. James T in particular was finding a lot of space down the left wing. The middle of the park was very crowded but Luke and Terry were showcasing their skills whereas, at the back, Neil and Tommy were solid as a rock.
Little by little, Loko were getting the game by the scrape of the neck and dominating the midfield and proving the most dangerous. It looked like Loko were going to break the deadlock when, on 41 minutes, Adil shook off his defender on the edge of the box and hit a low shot, which their keeper spilt but nobody followed up.
Half time: Wessex Rangers 0 vs Loko 0
The second half started very much in the same way it ended with Loko getting the better of Wessex in the middle of the park and our opponents having to make do with the odd counterattack.
However, we didn’t create too many clear chances. Lawrence came on on 55 minutes and Kevin made his entrance on 65 minutes and both seemed to inject more vigour into the midfield.
But, as has been the case on so many occasions this season, Wessex hit us on the break. Their number 9 found space down the right wing and entered our box and found himself one-on-one against John. It looked like it was all over as their forward arrowed a shot in the direction of our top right corner but John made a match-saving save with his forearm.
With only 10 minutes on the clock, James T dawdled past two defenders on the edge of their box and made a sharp turn into their box and cut the ball in for Adil who went past one defender and looked like he was about to score the match winner but his shot was too weak and bobbled along past the post.
On the evidence of the game, it didn’t look like anybody was going to score today and the ref blew his whistle after 90 minutes as Loko were readying themselves for a tense further 30 minutes’ extra time.
Terry reshuffled the team with Luke coming off and Ivan coming on whilst Tommy was assigned a more attacking midfield role.
The first half was a stalemate with both teams neutralising each other. The second half saw a Wessex revival and their midfield and attack seemed to be creating more danger but, again, John was imperial in goal and snuffing out any danger coming his way as the ref blew his whistle to signal the end of a goalless tie.
As the dreaded penalties reared their ugly head, the five Loko penalty takers were named as Adil, James, Dave, Terry and Kevin.
Our first 4 penalties were scored confidently and Terry’s was touched by the keeper but still ended in the back of the net. Then the Wessex number 9 strode forward to take their 4th penalty but skied it!
The pressure was now on Kevin as he had the opportunity to put the game out of Wessex’s reach, which he did in style. Cue pandemonium with Loko jumping on top of Kevin to celebrate their place in the final.
Final score: Wessex Rangers 0 vs Loko 0 (Loko win 5-3 on penalties)
Loko Club Secretary Ivan said: “The club was founded in 1990 and had never reached a domestic cup final until today – well done everybody and bring on Parklife B in the final on Sunday 21 April!”
Man of the match: Special mentions to Jake, Terry, Luke and Tommy but man of the match goes to John who put in a fabulous performance today.
Team line-up: John – Jake, Neil, Tommy, Marcel (then Lawrence, 55 mins) – Luke (then Ivan, 90 mns), Terry, Ismail (then Kevin 65 mns), Dave F – Adil, James T.
No comments:
Post a Comment