Sun 6 Oct 2013
AFC Maverick 6 vs Loko 2
LOKO CRASH OUT OF THE CUP FOLLOWING TWO BLATANT OFFSIDES
On Saturday morning, what with a strong squad for the forthcoming second leg of our cup game, things looked good. But then, things started looking not so rosy. Terry’s gran passed away, then Adil was doubtful with flu and on the morning of the game James pulled out due to flu, too. Plus, for the second week in succession and, arguably, much to the delight of his local cab company, John missed his lift and rushed to the ground by cab and got to the pitch with 3 minutes to spare.
The pitch itself looked in good nick despite the torrential rain that hit London on Sunday morning. Captain’s Matt words were to keep it tight and Loko surely did. In fact, Loko did even better…
Following a Matthew throw-in, Gomes tried to flick the ball over his defender whose hand connected to the ball on 12 minutes. Penalty. Morris looked hungry enough to take it but it was decided that the best man to put it in the back of the net was ADIL (pictured above), who certainly did with aplomb as he wrongfooted their keeper by shooting to the centre of the goal and into the net.
As was the case last week, Maverick went for it but this time in a more measured fashion and the bombardment started. Our midfield were not defensive enough and big gaps started appearing in the middle of the park and to the left of our defence in particular with, more than often, 2 players doubling up on Marcel.
Maverick’s domination paid off as they scored their first goal on 24 minutes when, as Maverick took a quick throw-in, the ball flew over Neil’s head into the path of their number 8 who chipped the ball over John’s head from the edge of the box.
The second one came 7 minutes later, this time originating from the left as their winger tapped a cross into our net from 2 yards out.
The third one came from a corner from the right on 39 minutes when their right winger outjumped Gomes at the far post and blasted his header into our top left corner.
Half-time: AFC Maverick 3 vs Loko 1
Despite the deficit, Loko felt that they were still in with a shot as the second half kicked off. Redemption came in the 56th minute when Gomes despatched a sweet freekick from 25 yards out on the right on the head of ADIL whose header cannoned into the empty net.
From then on, Lady Luck deserted Loko. Gomes had to come off because of a shoulder injury. Then two of their goals in the ensuing 20 minutes were blatant offsides. When challenged by the team and John in particular, who would have made a raging bull look like a timid mouse by comparison, the usually competent ref claimed that he didn’t want to call the 2 goals offside because our linesman Alejandro raised his flag only after Loko’s protestations, a rather spurious claim given that their forwards were at least a yard offside.
As Maverick scored a 6th, only pride was at stake, so much so that Adil now preferred to paly a defensive role as he said that he didn't want us to “concede 10”.
All in all a dejected performance: we’re out of the cup but at least we gave them a fright and are not likely to meet stronger opposition this season.
M.O.M: Despite his flu symptoms, ADIL put in a great performance and scored a brace. Special mention to Gomes.
Line-up: John - Morris, Neil, Ivan, Marcel – Mark, Matt - Gomes, Mo, Matthew - Adil
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