Senior Amateur Division
Sun 30 November 2014
Clapham Rovers 3 vs Loko 2
LOKO RESTORE PRIDE AND CONFIDENCE DESPITE LATE GOAL
Following crushing defeats in the last three outings, it was time for Loko to restore pride and confidence against a team Matt referred to as “at our level”.
Sadly, Loko got off to yet another poor start. With only 2 minutes gone, Rovers took Loko apart with one of their first attacks.
A through ball launched from the middle of the park carved the Loko defence open and, with Dan R trying to pass the ball back to John but not being able to connect properly, the Rovers pounced and their number 8 arrowed the opening goal in John’s bottom right corner from 10 yards out.
With similar starts in previous weeks and a thrashing in the offing, Loko might as well have packed up and gone back to the changing rooms. But, surprisingly, this early setback seemed to wake Loko up from their slumber.
This was only a promise as Rovers hit Loko on the counter with yet another through ball that didn’t get cleared by our defence and saw John collect the ball from the onion bag on 17 minutes.
But, today, one man in particular was on fire. Normally assigned to mark his forward, Tom was given a roving role in midfield and making his speed and energy count.
Sure enough, with 26 minutes on the clock, the hitherto water tight Rovers defence impeccably commandeered by their tall, non-nonsense Scottish centre half got caught out by a long James T ball over their defence. TOM was now in full flow on the right wing as he danced past one then two defenders and ran diagonally across their box and kept his cool as he slotted the ball with aplomb low to the left of their keeper.
A beautifully taken goal any centre forward would have been proud of.
And it didn’t stop there… With 37 minutes gone, it was Matt F’s turn to find TOM on the right wing again. This time, the team doctor took his chance straight away. He dribbled past their centre half and with the goalie speeding towards him from his box he instantly fired a shot from the edge of the box that hit the back of the net.
For a few moments, Tom looked like he was out for the count as he lay on the floor after hitting his head but he was soon back on his feet as several of his teammates gathered around him to congratulate him.
Loko could have even scored a third on 42 minutes as yet another shot by Tom found the back of a Rovers player and Dave F volleying the rebound from a tight angle.
Half time Clapham Rovers 2 vs Loko 2
The second half was in the same vein, with Loko feeling more and more confident and playing well whilst Rovers kept counterattacking.
An example of Loko’s determination was the situation that took place in Loko’s box shortly after Ismail had come on for Danny who got a leg injury.
Rovers launched an attack on the right wing and took a shot that was deflected by John who, yet again, was on top form and time after time, as the ball bounced off a Loko back, a Loko head or a Loko leg, it was like pinball in the box as at least 10 shots were saved, deflected or headed away by the admirable Loko unit. Truly heroic Loko rearguard action!
On 69 minutes John made yet another point blank save from what looked like the decisive goal.
Fortune wasn’t on Loko’s side though as Rovers scored a winner with 13 minutes to go.
Loko were still going forward and threatening Rovers but despite our late rally, Loko ended up empty handed despite their superb goalscoring exploits and composed display but, ultimately, Loko failed because of two sloppy goals.
Man of the Match: TOM undoubtedly surprised quite a few today with his assured goals, which, combined with his excellent all round play earns him the award this week.
Line-up: John – Dan R (then Ivan, 80’), Neil, Gary, Mark – Danny (then Ismail, 50'), Tom, Matt, Hayden - Dave F, James T
No comments:
Post a Comment