Match Report: Loko vs Parklife B

Ron Halfacre Challenge Cup (Final)

Sunday 5 May

Loko 1 vs Parklife B 2

LOKO'S CHANCE OF GLORY MELTS IN THE MAY SUNSHINE

Big occasion. Big pitch. Big crowd - especially on the part of Parklife whose fans turned up with banners and balloons in the black and yellow colours of the club, all of which created a carnival atmosphere on a bright, sunny day.

Tension was palpable right from the start but we had Parklife on the backfoot and spent most of the first 20 minutes in their half whilst the black and yellow outfit were making do with a few counterattacks.

Dave K, Adil and James in particular were dribbling past defenders all across the pitch yet no clear scoring chances came our way.

On 26 minutes, a corner from our right saw their number 19 control the ball on the edge of the box, shoot and score an unlikely goal in our top right corner. Cue loud Parklife cheers on the pitch and in the stand.

Loko 0 vs Parklife B 1

However, these celebrations were short lived. From a Dave F corner from the right, Adil outjumped his marker and headed the ball in the direction of their goal and the ball’s trajectory got deflected off a defender and ended up in the back of the net.

Loko 1 vs Parklife B 1

The game was becoming very tight and Parklife were now ruling the midfield and making their physical presence felt.

On 35 minutes, their nippy winger dashed down the left hand side. Ivan caught up with him and stood his ground but the Parklifer delivered an inch perfect cross across our box. Despite Neil keeping a close eye, their other forward met the cross perfectly and scored by slamming the ball to the left of John.

Loko 1 vs Parklife B 12    

Loko’s defence were now repelling attack after attack until one of their forwards got fouled by Luke just inside the box. Penalty. As their skipper placed the ball on the penalty spot, the Loko players were praying John would pull a fantastic save and keep us in the game. Thankfully, that wasn’t needed as their captain skied the ball over the crossbar.

Half time:  Loko 1 vs Parklife B 2

As the second half got underway and despite the sensation that the game was up for grabs, Loko looked rather subdued.

Luke, who was now playing a midfield role was majestic and wriggling his way in and out of challenges and spraying the ball at will whilst Lawrence, who’d come on for Ismail, was being his energetic and creative self.

Contrary to the first half, we created many chances, in particular a cross from the left that fell to  Kevin 3 yards out but his volleyed strike went wide. Then an even clearer chance saw Lawrence attempt to kick the ball into the goal from a cross from the right but the ball bobbled past the upright. There were a couple more chances for Adil who shook off his marker on two occasions but his strikes went wide.

As the clock was ticking though, Loko looked like they were resigned to their fate. To make matters worse, Dave K, who had been soldiering on on one leg despite an injury eventually had to come off and was replaced by Andre.

This was followed by serious knocks sustained by Dave F and James whilst the heat, tension and big pitch were beginning to play havoc on players on both sides as they were falling like flies through cramp - see Marcel pictured above.

With 1 minute to go, our last chance fell to Adil who took a freekick from 25 yards out but his attempt flew over the bar thus signalling the end of a very frustrating final.

As the ref blew the final whistle, the teams lined up to receive their respective cups with the background of Parklife fans chanting the Parklife tune.

Next to them, the Loko players looked understandably dejected.

Club Secretary Ivan said: “We started well but our resolve seemed to melt in the heat whilst Parklife looked fitter and fresher than us.

We also saw a few unfamilar faces on their side, which begs the question as to whether they got some of their first team players to strengthen their squad. Ultimately, they were up for it whereas we seemed to give up the fight too soon”.

Man of the match: Composure, creativity and great skills in the middle of the park: M.O.M goes to LUKE.

Line-up: John – Neil, Tommy, Luke, Ivan (then Kevin, 46’) – Ismail (then Lawrence 46’), Dave F, Dave K (then Andre, 72’) – Marcel, James - Adil            

Next game: London Titans on 12 May....