Loko lost their first pre-season game 3-1, going down to a well organised, workmanlike, opposition side. 

The game began with most of the regulars from last season starting the game with Loko playing hopeful through balls for James and Adil to run onto but good defending and a lack of killer final pass saw these efforts thwarted. 

The game was scrappy with a lack of fitness and both teams cancelling each other out not making for an exciting encounter.

On 25mins three subs were made, Jack, Dave F and Mark came off for new boy Dave N,  James and Danny. 

Loko were starting to gain the ascendancy with Phil pulling the strings in midfield and James looking dangerous on the wing but poor final passes and crosses into the box left Adil isolated up front. 

The opposition were looking dangerous on the counter and with the Loko defence playing a high line a ball was played through to the opposition striker who, bearing down on Terry and with the whole goal to aim at, controlled the ball like a pisshead staggering out of a club and tamely shot straight at Terry. 

The breakthrough came when a defensive error allowed a ball to bounce in the Loko area, and was finished off by an opposition midfielder high into the goal. Understandably being a pre-season friendly and with so many new players on show Loko struggled to get any sort of rhythm going and couldn’t gain an equaliser.

HT – LOKO 0 V 1 SHALFORD FC

The second half began with another raft of changes, Loko slightly improving but failing to create any clear cut chances, on 60 minutes, Jack tried to chest a high ball from a goal kick and pass to Matt W, the pass was to short and was intercepted and finished with aplomb by an opposition player, firing over Terry in goal with a looping 30 yard effort.

LOKO 0 V 2 SHALFORD FC

Loko rallied and Matt W put in a great low cross which was begging to be put in the net but sadly this was not to be.

On 70 mins, Loko grabbed a consolation goal. A ball was played forward, the opposition keeper flew out of his goal, fluffed his clearance straight to new boy JAMES L, who superbly chipped the back pedaling defenders from 25 yards out.

LOKO 1 V 2 SHALFORD FC

Loko couldn’t build on this momentum and many players lost their shape, defenders flying forward and midfielders not tracking back.

On 80 mins, opposition scored the fourth and final goal of the game, a striker finishing low past Terry.

Overall, a good work out but a lack of tactical awareness and numerous changes, expected for a pre-season game, was Loko’s downfall.

FT – LOKO 1 V 3 SHALFORD FC.

MOM – A few players did themselves proud today. Matt W had a stormer defending strongly and attacking when he had the chance. James was his usual tricky self. MOM goes to new boy PHIL who pulled the strings in midfield and slotted into defence when needed.

Lineup: Terry - Matt W, Said, Mark, Marcel - Matt, Jack, Dave F, Phil - Adil, James.