Sportsman's League (Div 2)
Sunday 21 April
Double-header
Lonsdale FC 6 vs Loko 2
Loko 0 vs Lonsdale FC 1
Lonsdale FC 6 vs Loko 2
Loko 0 vs Lonsdale FC 1
MATCH 1: LACK OF HUNGER AND BITE PROVE LOKO'S DOWNFALL
As it transpired just before the game, further evidence of Lonsdale’s great motivation was the fact that their players didn’t even succumb to the temptation of a night out on the Friday or Saturday preceding the game.
The early stages of the match were somehow subdued though with both teams neutralising each other. But, on 11 mns, a Lonsdale freekick from the left connected with the head of one of their tall midfielders and the ball looped over John’s head and into the back of the net.
Lonsdale FC 1 vs Loko 0
Within 5 minutes, Loko were back in contention though when one of their defenders misplaced a backpass, which resulted in a corner kick for us. Dave F took it and his pinpoint cross found LUKE in the middle of the box who casually slammed his shot to the right of their keeper.
Lonsdale FC 1 vs Loko 1
Within a few minutes, Lonsdale were back in the driving seat with yet another header from a corner kick.
Lonsdale FC 2 vs Loko 1
A long range effort by Luke a few minutes later looked like it might find the back of their net and put us ahead but it flew a yard over the crossbar.
But, annoyingly, Lonsdale edged ahead of us again. On this occasion, Ismail ended up having to mark a player much bigger than him - namely their gigantic number 4 - who had plenty of airspace to crucify John with another header from inside the box.
Half time: Lonsdale FC 3 vs Loko 2
A catalogue of errors in the second half saw Lonsdale score a further 3 goals. The first one saw their strong number 11 shake off the attention of two of our defenders and score easily from the edge of the box. The second one saw a long ball outfox our defence again and let Lonsdale score a morale-sapping fifth goal.
It all looked like the mother of all defeats when the ref blew his whistle for a penalty in the 51st minute but, thankfully, John saved the kick with his right foot. From the counter-attack, it looked like a James-Adil combination could, yet again, save our blushes but their defence nipped the attack on the edge of their box.
We were clutching at straws though and, sure enough, Lonsdale put us out of our misery with their 6th goal.
Final score: Lonsdale 6 vs Loko 2
M.O.M (as voted by Terry): MARCEL who fought hard and never gave up.
Line-up: John – Lawrence (then Andre 45’), Neil, Tommy, Marcel – Luke, Ismail (then Jake 40’), Dave F (then Kevin, 40’), Dave K – James, Adil
A few invigorating words were exchanged at half time and, for a few minutes, Loko looked like they were in with a shout.
However, Lonsdale looked twice as motivated as Loko who looked strangely subdued and half asleep. Much of the action took place in our own half but the defence were repelling their attacks. More often that not, though, our efforts were of a last ditch nature rather than controlled but we were holding our ground. This until midway through the first half when Lonsdale scored at the far post following a cross from the left.
Loko 0 vs Lonsdale FC 1
As Lonsdale were gaining strength and visualising the league title, Loko didn’t seem to be able to raise their game. Sure, on a few occasions, the likes of Dave K, Terry, Neil and Ivan managed to retrieve the ball from the vigorous men in red and black. There was also the odd scuffle – although not on the scale witnessed between the two teams in recent history.
M.O.M (as voted by Terry): John (pictured) – great attitude and agile limbs. Special mention to Ivan.
The scene was set for the mother of all 6-point doubleheaders with 2 teams set on laying their claim to the league title.
As it transpired just before the game, further evidence of Lonsdale’s great motivation was the fact that their players didn’t even succumb to the temptation of a night out on the Friday or Saturday preceding the game.
Within 7 minutes, though, Adil waltzed past their number 3 in their box, cut back in and scored to the near post.
Lonsdale FC 2 vs Loko 2
MATCH 2: PRIDE RESTORED - BUT ALL IN VAIN
However, Lonsdale looked twice as motivated as Loko who looked strangely subdued and half asleep. Much of the action took place in our own half but the defence were repelling their attacks. More often that not, though, our efforts were of a last ditch nature rather than controlled but we were holding our ground. This until midway through the first half when Lonsdale scored at the far post following a cross from the left.
Overall, though, Loko looked lethargic and resigned to the fact that this wasn’t going to be their day. Cue massive Lonsdale cheers and a few long Loko faces as the ref blew the final whistle…
Line-up: John - Lawrence, Terry, Ivan, Neil - Luke , Kevin, Dave F, Dave K - Adil, James
Various substitutions
Club Secretary Ivan commented: “I suspect nobody could have predicted that we’d capitulate so easily today. Was it the warm weather? Our inability to cope with physical teams? Who knows. Thankfully, we still have the cup final to look forward to on 5 May…”
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