6 Goals, Trick Shots, A Hatrick & A Final!
" The Final Beckons.... "
Following last weeks performance, preparations for this Cup Semi started early on this week. A change of Pitch was required along with an emphasis on being ready for this game, having a proper warm up and team talk. The starting 11 was always gonna be a hard call as we had 15 players available for the game all of a good standard!
Captains are leaders, and this week, they were gonna be needed. This is exactly what happened. Matt set the tone early in the week with reminders of how important this game was gonna be and continued this talk to the pitch before the game. He emphasized the importance of togetherness and team work. The ability to encourage and not criticize, " if we go a goal down, lets get back in it not on each others back " Play to our strengths! Both Matt & Gary continued this leadership onto the field with captains performances in midfield!
We started really well. Pressing, passing defending and attacking. Headers constantly won in the air by Gary, Neil, Scott, Danny, Hayden, Matt, Lee, Rob and even Dave. We were hyped for this game and it showed straight away. Ash was a constant hassle for Gander, chasing down every ball to put pressure on the opposition. They panicked and tried there best to clear there lines but we kept coming at them. Lee weaving his way through to the edge of the box unleashed a shot that was goal bound but well saved. Rob ( Who by the way caught a 6am Train from Bognor to attend the Game ) was once again a constant thorn in the oppositions side. Holding Up Balls, Flicking on Headers, getting at them constantly, he was on it all game. A ball out wide, from Rob, to Hayden saw him get a shot parried away by the keeper for a corner.
We pushed Up, we chased back, we pushed up, we chased back. Ganders young number 5 had some tricks in his locker but his youth was no match for Neil who took him off the ball every time. Scott at Left back was, as Usual, solid as ever. His throw-ins caused Gander grief along with some curling left foot free kicks and crosses into the danger areas.
The pressure eventually paid of after 20 mins as Ash hassled the fumbling keeper and the deflected clearance was straight into his path to open the scoring into the open goal. 1-0
Danny again as Per Usual, was solid at right back. He won headers and tackles and carried the ball forward pass the halfway line to release Ash again as he went one on one with the keeper, with a cheeky slot to his right hand side straight passed him. 2-0
Ash sustained an injury and James T took the field to add extra pace to our already upbeat team. He continued where Ash left off hustling and pressuring for the ball. This unfortunately led to him re injuring his knee so he made way for Ash to come back on again.
Gary stood tall today winning every single header in the midfield region and breaking up play with superbly timed tackles. His presence in front of the back three is comforting. Loko have always come in for criticism for there choice of formation, 3-5-2 but tactically it works if everyone does there job. Whilst Dave and Hayden en-devour to get back to defend and create a back five Gary gives us the extra cushion in that holding role to create a false 6 across the back at times. Its taken a while but we are playing the way this formation was designed and the results are showing. A free kick from Dave late on in the first half was perfectly hit on to, a brave, Robs head as the ball skimmed just wide of the post.
Half Time
Lots of praise was expressed at the half time team talk from both players, subs and spectators. Matt did remind us though that the job was only half done. We have been further ahead in the past and finished up not winning. A Quick change of Ash For Mason pushed Dave upfront alongside Rob.
The first few minutes of the second half started a little Ropey with Gander realizing they had to take there chance if they wanted to be in a final this year. A free kick was chipped over Colin onto the crossbar and luckily for us away from the goal. No mistake this was a turning point in the game. We all pushed each other on reminding ourselves of our jobs our positions and the commitment needed.
A long ball forward from Lee saw Hayden just reach the ball first, around the half way line and carry forward around the defender and then a well hit shot from a way outside the area looked goal bound and brilliant until the Gander keeper pushed the ball over with a great save! ( Fat Lump! ) This led to a Loko corner and another and another and even another as we were back on the front foot. Mason was full of pace and energy running with the ball with Dave holding the ball up well alongside Rob whos break down the far right looked like coming to nothing until somehow he managed to cross to Dave who took the ball well to the touchline and pass back to an oncoming Hayden whos shot was deflected for yet another corner.
Everytime we got the ball we looked dangerous, The self named " Putney Pirlo " out wide on the right hit a lovely ball across into the box where Dave produced a wonder volley / Lucky / trick shot whatever you wanna call it, it looked brilliant as he flicked a back heel that had the keeper going the wrong way and saw the ball in the back of the net. Screams of " That was Sick " from a 8 year old watching fan gave approval to an all round good goal. 3-0
Hayden off for Mark. The absolute Twat of the number 12 Gander player caused some unrest as Mason and a protective Danny sought to tussle with him as he wound everyone one up.this led to a little unrest but was soon sorted out although a free kick soon after led to the ball falling to a Gander players feet who pushed the ball home. 3-1
Dave Off for a returning Ash who almost immediately broke from a through ball from rob to slot the ball once again into the oppositions net. Hatrick 4-1
Constant runs and breakaways from Mason, Matt, Rob and Ash looked like we were clear from any fightback they may of had. gary had a shot on target deflected away, then Rob causing all sorts of problems again was brought down in the box, Penalty. Matt stepped up to maintain his 100% record from the spot this season. 5-1
A late corner nearly capped of a great day from Neil who on any other day may of scored three or so times, as the ball came in he just missed a touch and the ball flew through to the other side.
Full Time
Lokomotiv 5 - 1 Gander Fc ( Ash, Ash, Dave, Ash, Matt )
Weekly Three Questions:
Did we deserve to win today? Unquestionably Yes!!
Did we put it in today? Unquestionably Yes!!
Bonus Question: Are we in The Final? Hell Yeah!
Man Of the Match?
Honestly would like to put the whole team in this section as we all done our Jobs today. If it was based on pure leadership the Matt would be here. Its also really hard not to give man of the match to a guy who scores a Hatrick, well done ASH? However to still get this award with all that in mind gives non watchers of this match an idea of how good GARY actually was today. He Showed us how the holding role should be played alongside giving a leaders performance, take a bow Muzzy!
Final Thoughts
Being one of, actually the, eldest in the team I think i can say without sounding condescending, that I was so proud of the way you lot performed, everything that was asked of you, you gave. Well Done. Easier to some you up in three or four words.
Tony - Clean Sheet ( Says It All )
Colin - Dominant In The Area
Neil - So Much Effort, Energy and Heading
Scott - So Strong, Skilled and Heading
Danny - Not Afraid Of Anything
Mark - Solid, Great Talking
Matt - Leader, Enough Said
Gary - Man Of The Match Says It all
Dave - Great Balls In & Skill for the goal
Mason - Tackling, Energy & Speed
Lee - Skill, Consistency, Dribbling & Battling and a little angry :)
Rob - Constant Menace with great strength and Skill
Ash - Hatrick , need nothing else?
James - Unlucky Injury and Fiery :)
Bring On That Final Whoever We Get, if we play together like that We will win No Doubt At All.
Quote Of The Week
" Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much "
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