Sunday 31 August 2014
Loko 2 vs JCH Eleven 4WOODY'S BAPTISM OF FIRE - PUFFING BUT ENCOURAGING
Today marked the start of a new era. With former manager Terry now focusing his efforts on his fresh, budding career as a semi pro, enthusiastic Matthew (Woody) - pictured above - was appointed as new team manager and this was his first game in charge.
With 16 players in the squad - including 3 triallists, Loko could afford to lend the opposition a couple of players - shame they were that good!
The early exchanges were very uneventful yet on 10 minutes, their nippy number 10 sped down the touchline and rifled a shot from just outside the box past new keeper Jack.
Loko 0 vs JCH Eleven 1
Shortly afterwards, Italian Cris, the Balotelli-lookalike cum triallist who was playing for the opposition slalomed past half our team and carved his way into our defence but thankfully the ensuing shot was too weak and Jack somehow managed to retrieve the ball off the goal-line.
Ten minutes after we conceded, Mark, who was having one his best games for Loko ever, crossed the ball into the packed forwards in front of their box but his effort rebounded off a defender but LUKE was lurking and his sweet volley from just inside the box found the back of the net to the left of the motionless goalie.
Loko 1 vs JCH Eleven 1
Loko were now coming into their own and developing a passing game that was pleasing to the eye albeit not effective when it came to beating opponents. Beni in midfield was having a very good game like he did on his debut last May and a couple of his shots went just over the bar.
On 34 minutes, JCH Eleven made us pay for our lack of clinical finish. Their fast number 11 zoomed past our out-of-practice defence on the right and slammed a long shot into the top far corner giving Jack no chance at all.
Loko 1 vs JCH Eleven 2
After that, Luke headed the ball from a James L cross, James T slalomed past a few of their defenders and passed to Beni who shot just over the bar on 39 mns. Yet, Loko were now running out of puff and were grateful for the ref to blow the half time whistle.
Half time: Loko 1 vs JCH Eleven 2
In the second half, Loko looked slightly sharper and were still passing the ball around without panicking, which was a major improvement compared to recent games.
Opportunity knocked on many occasions including 2 further slaloms by Beni and James T, an in-swinging corner by Dave F that saw Neil's typical surging header cannon over the cross bar, a cross by James T that Luke -with his back to the goal - intelligently chested down for James L to shoot but his excellent effort was saved comfortably by their keeper. 5 minutes later, Neil, who had a rusty start by his own high standards, got into gear and dribbled past 3 defenders and passed into the goalmouth but nothing came out of it.
Unfortunately, on 68 minutes, their speedy number 14 ran past Woody and slotted the ball into Jack's left corner for their third.
Loko never gave up though -James T gave his marker the slip and shot from inside the box. The shot was handled by one of their defenders and JAMES converted the ensuing penalty comfortably by placing his spotkick to the left of their keeper.
Loko 2 vs JCH Eleven 3
Unfortunately, this wasn't meant to be as we conceded a soft goal from a corner where one of their - unchallenged - midfielders headed the ball off the crossbar into the net.
Final result: Loko 2 vs JCH Eleven 4
Overall, everybody agrees that it was an encouraging result in terms of the way we played but we really need to get fit quick now the new season is only 2 weeks'a way. Gym memberships anyone?
Man of the Match: On account of his presence and threat in front of goal, it's got to be LUKE closely followed by Beni. Other good performances by Mark, James L and James T.
Line-up: Jack - Woody, Neil, Gary, Mark - Beni, Matt, Dave F - Danny, James T - Luke
sub: James L came on on 20 mns - followed by various substitutions.
Loko 0 vs JCH Eleven 1
Shortly afterwards, Italian Cris, the Balotelli-lookalike cum triallist who was playing for the opposition slalomed past half our team and carved his way into our defence but thankfully the ensuing shot was too weak and Jack somehow managed to retrieve the ball off the goal-line.
Ten minutes after we conceded, Mark, who was having one his best games for Loko ever, crossed the ball into the packed forwards in front of their box but his effort rebounded off a defender but LUKE was lurking and his sweet volley from just inside the box found the back of the net to the left of the motionless goalie.
Loko 1 vs JCH Eleven 1
Loko were now coming into their own and developing a passing game that was pleasing to the eye albeit not effective when it came to beating opponents. Beni in midfield was having a very good game like he did on his debut last May and a couple of his shots went just over the bar.
On 34 minutes, JCH Eleven made us pay for our lack of clinical finish. Their fast number 11 zoomed past our out-of-practice defence on the right and slammed a long shot into the top far corner giving Jack no chance at all.
Loko 1 vs JCH Eleven 2
After that, Luke headed the ball from a James L cross, James T slalomed past a few of their defenders and passed to Beni who shot just over the bar on 39 mns. Yet, Loko were now running out of puff and were grateful for the ref to blow the half time whistle.
Half time: Loko 1 vs JCH Eleven 2
In the second half, Loko looked slightly sharper and were still passing the ball around without panicking, which was a major improvement compared to recent games.
Opportunity knocked on many occasions including 2 further slaloms by Beni and James T, an in-swinging corner by Dave F that saw Neil's typical surging header cannon over the cross bar, a cross by James T that Luke -with his back to the goal - intelligently chested down for James L to shoot but his excellent effort was saved comfortably by their keeper. 5 minutes later, Neil, who had a rusty start by his own high standards, got into gear and dribbled past 3 defenders and passed into the goalmouth but nothing came out of it.
Unfortunately, on 68 minutes, their speedy number 14 ran past Woody and slotted the ball into Jack's left corner for their third.
Loko never gave up though -James T gave his marker the slip and shot from inside the box. The shot was handled by one of their defenders and JAMES converted the ensuing penalty comfortably by placing his spotkick to the left of their keeper.
Loko 2 vs JCH Eleven 3
Unfortunately, this wasn't meant to be as we conceded a soft goal from a corner where one of their - unchallenged - midfielders headed the ball off the crossbar into the net.
Final result: Loko 2 vs JCH Eleven 4
Overall, everybody agrees that it was an encouraging result in terms of the way we played but we really need to get fit quick now the new season is only 2 weeks'a way. Gym memberships anyone?
Man of the Match: On account of his presence and threat in front of goal, it's got to be LUKE closely followed by Beni. Other good performances by Mark, James L and James T.
Line-up: Jack - Woody, Neil, Gary, Mark - Beni, Matt, Dave F - Danny, James T - Luke
sub: James L came on on 20 mns - followed by various substitutions.
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