Match Report: Loko vs Lonsdale

Sportsman's League, Division 1

Sun 22 Sept 2013

Loko 0 vs Lonsdale FC 2 

WELCOME TO THE REALITY OF DIVISION 1!

After Loko’s easy pre-season friendly win against Moormead, Ivan had warned the new guys on the team that the opposition in Division 1 was going to be much tougher. Well you can’t get tougher (or let’s say more physical) than an encounter with Lonsdale, our fierce rivals.

The early stages were a bit of a daze. None of the two teams were able to play the beautiful game and in the words of Neil, this had to be one of the most disjointed games we’ve ever played.

Despite having - potentially- great firepower in the shape of Adil, who was making his return after a 4-month absence, James and new kid on the block Mo, Loko were not creating much.  At the other end of the pitch, Lonsdale’s attacks were being repressed by Loko’s central defence who benefited from Neil’s return and assurance whilst Marcel and Morris (pictured above) on the wings were making the most of their speed and aggression whilst Ivan was sticking to his centre forward like a bad rash, whilst John was his composed  self.

On 12 minutes a James cross close to the byeline saw Adil close to scoring but the ball was cleared on the goalline.

On 17 minutes, Matt, who was pulling the strings from the midfield, sent a ball over the Lonsdale defence for Mo who found himself through the middle of the Lonsdale defence and inside the box but his shot went wide. This was followed by a carbon copy chance 4 minutes later and Mo’s shot missed the target again.

On 39 minutes, their forward -who had started from an offside position - rounded Morris who clipped his ankle. Penalty. John’s efforts to psyche their centre forward out paid off as the number 9 skied his effort to Loko's great relief .

Half time: Loko 0 vs Lonsdale 0

The second half was much the same, with both teams denying each other and a succession of corners where their big number 69 was making his bruising presence felt  but Loko, especially Terry, Morris and John were also having a go at their players.

Slowly but surely, the game turned into the usual niggly, slanging match we have come to get used to when sparring against Lonsdale. Sadly, the ref was not exactly in control  and things were deteriorating rapidly – and so were Loko’s chances of an upset.

The rot set in on 57 minutes when Lonsdale took a throw-in very quickly on our right hand side and their winger outflanked Morris and oncoming Neil and slammed a shot from the edge of the box past John into the empty net from a  dead angle.

Lonsdale dashed Loko’s hopes further when, on 68 minutes, a long punt from the half way line lobbed the retreating Loko defence and saw their centre forward one on one vs John who he chipped. Terry made a last ditch attempt to retrieve the goal-bound shot but to no avail.

The end of the game was a bit of a blur with Loko trying their best but still not creating much despite Terry’s vigorous attacks from the back and Matt[s attempts to organise the midsfield and spray balls to our forwards.

Final score: Loko 0 vs Lonsdale FC 2

M.O.M: The award this week goes to MATT who, despite wearing a numberless shirt, was imperial in midfield.

Line-up: John – Morris, Neil, Ivan, Marcel (then Jack W, 60’) – Terry, Matt, Matthew (then Morris, 55’) –Mo (then Jack S 35’) – James, Adil