(Gladys Perry Challenge Cup, First Round, Second Leg)
Sun 12 October 2014
Loko 3 vs Parthenope 1
The omens were bad – despite instructions to turn up one hour before kick off for this all important game, half of the team strolled in with less than 30 minutes to go. Plus, the kit turned up only 5 minutes before kick-off .
As the game got underway though, Loko looked less uncomfortable than they did in the first leg. Parthenope were playing well but were not as incisive as 2 weeks ago. But, with our defence playing too deep, gaping holes were apparent all over the pitch.
Also adding to the danger was Parthenope’s number 8 who was pulling the strings in midfield and creating danger down the wings. Loko were not pressing and, instead, were playing with fire, losing the ball and leaving the defence exposed where Adam got caught out on a couple of occasions, Mark was having a hard time of it on his wing and Gary’s groin was playing up and impeding his movements.
On 12 minutes, their number 11 threaded a ball down our left wing and connected with their winger who slammed the ball in the back of our net from just outside the box.
Loko 0 vs Parthenope 1
Commendably, Loko never lost their heads and started to play very well despite the constant threst from their number 8 and their raids down the wings.
As the game began to settle, Matt crossed the ball to JAMES T out on their right wing. With a couple of defenders facing him, our winger glimpsed an opportunity to capitalise on their limited goalie and his shot from a sharp angle near the byeline sailed into the roof of the net from 15 yards out.
Loko 1 vs Parthenope 1
Things got even better on 31 minutes when yet another assist from Matt found ADIL on the edge of the box, facing the goalie squarely and his composed control and resulting shot lefdt their goalkeeper no chance as it slotted neatly to the left of their keeper and into the net.
Half-time: Loko 2 vs Parthenope 1
Five minutes after the start of the second half, Gary’s groin gave up the ghost and ex manager Terry made his entrance onto the pitch.
Loko now looked more balanced with Adam and Terry presenting a very solid and nimble challenge for Parthenope who now looked somewhat short of ideas.
Terry even went on mazy run from inside his own half and into their box and cross to James T but their keeper was now beginning to surpass himself by saving the resulting shot.
Loko were now becoming more audacious and putting Parthenope under pressure but weren’t able to add to the score.
Thankfully, the game was firmly in our hands and it was clear that only a Loko mistake would allow Parthenope to equalise.
Jack W and Marcel came on with just over 10 minutes to go and their determination to keep a clean second half sheet was exemplary as they got stuck in like the rest of the team and defending tooth and nail as Parthenope were fighting for their lives.
ADIL (pictured below) buried any hope of any Parthenope revival though as he scored his second of the game on 82 minutes.
Overall, Loko performed brilliantly and fully deserved their result.
M.O.M: JAMES T who is arguably having his best start of the season for Loko ever.
Line-up: John – Neil, Gary (then Terry, 50’), Adam, Mark (then Marcel, 80’) – Beni, Woody (then Jack W, 78’), Danny, Matt – James T, Adil.
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