Match Report: Epsom and Ewell Old Boys vs Loko

Pre-season friendly
Sun 13 Sept 2015
Epsom and Ewell Old Boys 4 vs Loko 2

DEFENSIVE ERRORS COST DOMINANT LOKO DEAR

James T - shown here in his previous beardless life - scored our first goal today

Today's game in Thames Ditton against the team that finished third in our new league division last season was meant as a test of how we measure up.

Judging by the first few minutes against a very quiet opponent in Athletico Madrid colours, Loko were in charge and EEOB, who were much taller than us, were struggling to keep up with our more diminutive, technical midfield, whose performance was on a different planet compared to last week's diabolical game.

Lee, Dave F, Matt, Miguel, Ash and James in particular were causing their defence all sorts of problems although there was no end product.

Against the run of play, though, EEOB scored on 22 minutes when Tony grabbed the ball following a cross but mysteriously let go of it as it ended up in the back of the net.

EEOV 1 vs Loko 0

To make matters worse, on 34 minutes, Ivan on the left miskicked a clearance by the halfway line that rebounded off their left winger who sent a long ball down the left wing for their fast forward who slotted home from 15 yards out.

EEOV 2 vs Loko 0

The last 11 minutes of the first half were a bit sloppy on our side including a heart-in-the mouth moment when Tony decided to go on a dribbling run from his area past two of their players all the way up to the middle of the park but, thankfully, his mad foray a la Grobbelaar didn't have catastrophic consequences - suffice to say that assistant manager Gary on the touchline was not amused....

Half time  EEOV 2 vs Loko 0

On 57 minutes, a cross from the right saw unmarked JAMES (pictured above) in the box control the ball and switch from left to right and fire a low shot past the keeper into the far corner.

EEOV 2 vs Loko 1

Loko were now dominant and playing some lovely, intricate passes but, again, EEOB caught us out when they scored with a header at the far post.

EEOV 3 vs Loko 1

Loko pulled one back following clever passing in the middle of the park between Miguel, Dave F and Ash culminating in LEE scoring from a tight angle inside the box.

EEOV 3 vs Loko 2

As Loko looked like they were in with a chance of equalising, we got caught out again when their big number 6 powered a corner kick into the back of our net.

Final score: EEOV 4 vs Loko 2

Despite this defeat, there were many more positives than negatives and, on today's evidence, we can hold our own in this league.

Most of the players ended up in the pub and it was very pleasing to see that we now have over 11 registered and fully paid members -  a very encouraging sign of how committed the squad are before our season starts in earnest at our new Chessington home vs Ashford Rangers on Sunday 20 Sept.

M.O.M: Lee (quelle surprise!) who, yet again, excelled in midfield and crowned his performance with a very opportunistic goal.

Line-up: Tony - Little Matt, Mark, Ivan - Miguel, Matt, Dave F, Ash, Hayden, Lee - James
Sub: Danny (on on 20 mns) then various substitutions.