Sun 16 March 2014
Lonsdale FC 2 vs Loko 3
FANTASTIC COMEBACK EARNS LOKO A FULLY DESERVED VICTORY
Match Report by Jack Wooding
Liverpool's historic victory in Istanbul, England's 5-1 win over Germany, Michael Owen's 1998 solo goal against Argentina. People always remember these days. For the 14 lions of Loko, Sunday 16th March 2014 was a day that will live long in the memory.
A sunny March morning in Chiswick was the setting, the pitch of rivals Lonsdale FC the battle ground.
In the words of captain Matt, ''let the games begin''.
FIRST HALF
The game began with both teams eager to impose there game on the opponents, Loko's central midfield of Terry and Matt trying to spray balls out wide to wingers James or Dave F, with Adil lurking up front. On numerous occasions through balls were played to Adil and James, but the linesman of obvious Lonsdale bias kept flagging for offside.
Loko carried on playing our game and weren't being dragged into slanging matches with the Lonsdale players, who were clearly trying to influence the referee with comments every time a Loko player challenged for the ball.
On 20 mins James found himself in the area, fired at goal, but with the keeper beaten, somehow a Lonsdale defender managed to clear the ball away to safety.
Lonsdale were slowly building attacks consistently down the Loko left hand side. Marcel was being caught out of position numerous times with Mark and Gary being dragged out of position to cover but luckily for us we had John and the central defence to thank for keeping the score down.
Unfortunately, the warning signs of an eventual Lonsdale goal came. On 35 mins Lonsdale managed to work a ball into the box, with Neil and Mark both occupied with attacking players, Lonsdale's right back had a free header which even though John was close to, went under his body and into the back of the net.
Loko players' heads went down and on 40 mins Lonsdale got their second goal. Their centre midfielder slalomed past two players, went round Marcel and slammed a shot to the right of John into the back of the net.
Half time came and captain Matt said to everyone that we weren't out of the game. To step up the intensity, and try to win the second half. A rousing half-time team talk that lifted every player. One change was made, Maurice coming on for Marcel. What happened next will stay in the memories of every Loko player for a long time.
Loko began the second half snapping at the heels, challenging for every ball, and closing down Lonsdale players when they were in possession. The comeback began on 50 minutes.
A hopeful ball was played forward which TERRY chased down, the Lonsdale defender should really have cleared the ball to safety but instead hesitated on the ball. Terry disposessed him and charged into the box, with a lack of support he took the shot on, cutting in from near the corner flag to bend a ball high into the keeper's right hand corner. This goal seemed to lift the Loko players whilst Lonsdale, and in particular there big moaning number '69' complained to the ref. Sensing blood Loko continued to attack and only a lack of finishing or killer through ball kept Lonsdale in front. On the rare occasion Lonsdale built an attack Loko had players such as Gary, Terry, Ismail, Mark, and Matt determined not to allow Lonsdale an undeserved third goal.
On 70 mins Loko made two changes, Ivan coming on for Mark and Jack W coming on for Dave F. On 75 mins a Loko corner was cleared to the edge of the box. Jack W headed back in, the ball fell somehow into the path of Neil, who back to goal, superbly chested the ball before finishing into the corner of the net. GAME ON.
On 79 minutes a rare Lonsdale break resulted in Mark bringing down there attacker, clear penalty. Lonsdale decided to allow there keeper to take the penalty. John was in no mood to be beaten and made a wonderful save to keep the ball out which raised the spirits of Loko players even more. Everyone was encouraging each other and Matt kept talking tactics throughout the remainder of the half. Every player knew his job.
After 84 mins Loko broke, the ball was played through to JAMES, who ran from just inside the Lonsdale half, held off the defender, and finished under the keeper. Cue wild Loko celebrations. Could we beat our nearest rivals for the first time since September 2011?
The last ten minutes Loko stood firm, Gary was marshalling the defence superbly, John pulled off an absolute wonder save. Jack W, Matt and Terry were closing Lonsdale players down as soon as they had the ball and Ivan headed every ball launched into our box away to safety. Lonsdale were complaining and appealing for everything as we knew they would but the referee made the right calls, with Loko players remaining calm and everyone doing their job. The whistle went with every Loko player congratulating each other, everyone had put a shift in. Loko's first win against Lonsdale since September 2011 - 4 defeats and one draw during that time.
MOTM - John, wonderful saves and a commanding presence throughout. Everyone played well and if we can keep up this form we will be in with a chance of promotion.
TEAM - GK: JOHN, DF: ISMAIL, MARK (IVAN 70'), NEIL, MARCEL (MORRIS 45'), MF: DAVE F( JACK W 70'), TERRY, MATT, GARY, JAMES, FW: ADIL
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