Sun 28 September 2014
Parthenope FC 2 vs Loko 2
After last week’s traumatic demolition in the league, Loko’s minds were firmly focused on today’s task.
Yet, the early stages of the game looked ominous. Loko were too static and lacked awareness against a very fluent and technically sound Parthenope team.
The defence were doing their job although too many gaps seemed to appear on the wings where their forwards were overlapping and putting pressure on Tom and Dan. Thankfully, Neil was on top of his game, giving the defence plenty of assurance despite a dodgy ankle.
Upfront, James T and Adil were feeding on crumbs on the rare occasions where their excellent central defenders were not dominating aerial challenges or not snuffing out James T and Adil’s attacks. Adil in particular was finding it difficult on his return after a long absence in Spain and was not finding the spaces he normally thrives on.
On 21 minutes, an attack from our left saw their winger cross for one of their forwards who took a hard shot from 5 yards out but his point blank effort was thwarted by John who made one of his trademark, sensational – almost miraculous - saves.
Going forward, Loko managed to secure a few corners but our finishing was not up to scratch.
On 29 minutes, James was fouled on the edge of the box and the ensuing Dave F freekick hit the crossbar.
On 34 minutes, James gave his marker the slip and crossed for Adil who controlled the ball in mid-air but scuffed his shot.
Parthenope were a constant menace and, on a very warm day, the stoppages caused by the ball ending up in the bushes behind our goal or their central defender getting hit in the teeth and bleeding profusely provided a very welcome respite.
Half time Parthenope 0 vs Loko 0
The first few minutes of the second half were in the same vein as the first half. The only difference was that this is when Parthenope made their superiority count…
On 61 minutes, a long hopeful punt bounced on the left hand side of our defence and Gary, who up until then had had a solid game, failed to clear the ball in time. Their number 11 was now off and heading towards the byeline with Gary and Marcel in tow. He then crossed the ball, Tom attempted to clear it but their number 9 was faster and scored at the far post.
Parthenope 1 vs Loko 0
John made another astonishing save a few minutes later, giving Loko more confidence with such a pair of safe hands in goal.
Yet, on 74 minutes, their Italian number 14 outpaced Marcel on the right of our defence, slalomed past two of our defenders and arrowed his shot in the roof of the net, leaving John no chance at all.
With our players now seemingly resigned to a second defeat in successive weeks, all hope seemed lost. But, like the Phoenix, Loko rose from its ashes…
On 79 minutes, a James T corner was headed across the goal by James L at the far post in the direction of MATT who scored a vital goal from 6 yards out.
With only 2 minutes on the clock, a James T through ball carved the Parthenope defence open with Adil through on goal. With only their average goalie to beat, Adil was about to become an instant hero but, agonisingly, one of their central defenders deflected the shot at the last nanosecond.
Now, the non-playing Loko man on the touchline (and the author of this match report) happens to be the son of a psychic. Typically, the Loko man had a vision in the early stages of the game that Loko were going to hit Parthenope on the break and come away with a decent result.
And so they did…
With only a few seconds on the clock, Adil found himself clear on the left edge of their box and the prodigal son of Catalunya scored a late late equaliser at the far post from a very tight angle. Cue Loko celebrations and Parthenope dismay…
All in all, this was a fantastic, typical, late Loko rally. But this should not detract from the fact that, now that Loko have scaled the heady heights of the Senior Amateur Division, unlike previous seasons, our opponents are all going to be very fit, alert, skilful and well trained. Sadly, there is clearly no appetite in the team for a weekly dose of training so we’ll be living very dangerously until the end of the season… Better be prepared for the rollercoaster….
Man of the Match: Is there a better keeper in the league? Very unlikely. M.O.M goes to John for the second week running.
Line-up: John, Tom, Neil, Gary, Dan (then Marcel, 55') - Benni, Matt, Danny, Dave F (then James L, 55') - Adil, James
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