Sun 6 April 2014
Real Northern 2 vs Loko 1
Match Report by Jack Wooding
Loko arrived at the Westminster Playing Fields on Sunday morning full of confidence. 14 players in the squad, a pitch with a beautiful playing surface, and knowing that a win would put us right back in the race for promotion.
Loko started the game well with Terry and Ismail harassing Real Northern players as soon as they had the ball, Gary sweeping up any danger at the back, Morris flying into tackles, and Matt F and James linking up well further up the pitch. Real Northern's full backs and in particular their goalkeeper looked there for the taking, with James, Matt F and Matt W closing them down at every opportunity and forcing them into mistakes.
On 25 minutes, one of these mistakes were to prove costly. Matt F chased down a through ball which should have been the keeper’s all day long. Instead of picking the ball up he decided to kick the ball out of his area but his kick was too weak and JAMES hit a precise shot which arrowed under the bar from 25 yards out which the covering Real Northern defenders couldn't keep out. One of Loko's goals of the season.
The half ended with Loko on the front foot, looking dangerous on the break whilst Real Northerns wingers and strikers were wasteful when any opportunities to attack fell their way. When they managed to breach the Loko lines, Gary and Ivan were solid as a rock with their defending.
HALF TIME REAL NORTHERN 0 vs LOKO 1
The second half began with a change, Jack W coming on in place of Hassan, to play in a front three with Matt F and James. Loko continued to attack and James surely would have scored from a Jack W through ball if the covering defender hadn't made an excellent interception. James continued to have the full back in his pocket and only good defensive cover from their Real Northern centre backs thwarted him from causing any more damage.
On 70 minutes one of Real Northern's defenders hit a powerful shot which was arrowing into the top right hand corner. John had other ideas though and our flying Irishman dived to his left to keep out a certain Real Northern equaliser.
The tide was slowly turning with Real Northern upping the tempo against a slightly tired Loko. Players were streaming into the box and Gary's last ditch defending was keeping Loko's clean sheet intact. Unfortunately, Loko could not hold out and on 80 minutes Real Northern scored a deserved equaliser. A shot was fired off through a crowd of players and past John.
REAL NORTHERN 1 VS LOKO 1
Loko heads didn't drop though and a ball from Terry found James in the box, his cross/shot was deflected and bounced to Matt W whose powerful shot hit the inside of the post and away. Unlucky. Loko continued to try to attack but so did Real Northern and the game was end to end with chances for both sides with John imperial in goal as always.
Loko were now being forced to defend by a rampant Real Northern who scored a late winner deep into stoppage time. A ball was played forward to their striker who fired a shot low to the left of John who had no chance.
REAL NORTHERN 2 VS LOKO 1
Loko hurried their kick off and managed to get a free kick which was whipped into the box by Matt F, a scramble for the ball ensued, but Real Northern managed to clear which was the signal for the referee to blow for full time. We are now out of the promotion race but have two games remaining against bottom of the table opposition so hopefully we can end the season in a respectable league position.
FULL TIME: LOKO 1 REAL NORTHERN 2
M.O.M: GARY who was sensational in central defence. Special mentions to John, Morris, Terry and James.
TEAM - GK: JOHN - DF: MATT W, GARY, IVAN, MARK (MARCEL 70') - DM: TERRY, ISMAIL - MF: MATT F, HASSAN (JACK W '45), MATT W, - FW: JAMES
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