3 Goals A Win, & Inspired Subs...
" A Win Is A Win, As 3 Points is 3 Points "
We went into today's game a little blind in relation to the opposition. We had previously beaten this team very easily last season on two occasions but ended up losing to them later on in the season. Our current Injury list looks like this:
Gary - Knee
Luke - Knee
James T - Knee
Mason - Calf
Chris - Thigh
Wayne - Thigh
Matt - Broken Toe
Tony - Wrist
Along with a couple more players unavailable, we were surprised to get a team of 14 together.
We started how we would expect with loads of possession and dominance. This was not a great team we were playing against. Some lovely passing and one two movement from Matt, Barney and Lee coming forward led to the ball moving out wide to Mark R who crossed a ball in to the area for Hayden to head goal bound but was easily saved. Dave F was getting past there right back and providing crosses, but Hayden stood alone in the box with no forthcoming support.
We were dominant but something somewhere was just not right. It just wasn't happening. We didn't seemed committed enough, we were dominant but didnt have enough men forward when needed to make the dominance count.
Ashford are younger and fitter but didn't posses the strength and experience we had. This led them to create chances through counter attacking. This method proved successful just before the break when their fairly fast forward broke through towards goal. Not Even three saves in a row from Colin could stop the Striker from netting on his fourth attempt. 0-1
Half Time
The half time talk provided Frustration from the team. We knew we should be winning this game and were unfortunate to be a goal down, but we was! Lee M reminded us all not to be so hard on ourselves as we were by far the better team.
We started the second half the same way we did the first showing we were a better side. Still after ten minutes in we were still a goal down. A throw in to Loko gave us the ball. Gary, on the sidelines today due to injury, stepped in to call the substitution and re arrange the positions on the field. Barney Off, Hayden to Hold and Wayne Up Top. The throw in went into the box and straight back to Hayden who released Neil on the right who played a fantastic ball into the box that just glanced of the head of Wayne just wide of the keeper and into the net. 1-1
All Gary's changes influenced the game directly and brought us level. This was our chance to push on, however it was to be without our goal scorer Wayne, as following his goal he limped off with a persistent injury and was replaced by James C.
Lee Stocker playing on the left wing today was instructed to put right sided corners in. This is exactly what he did five minutes later with perfection and the awaiting Mark R headed home to give us the lead! 2-1
Defensively these days we do look strong! Yes we will always made the odd mistake but overall we look confident and are a constant threat going forward with Scott, Neil, Stocker, Mark and Danny pushing forward at every chance but still with a defensive mindset to recover. Today was no different as Danny continually talk the ball forward from winning it at the back, around players and on towards goal as did Stocker when he went left back as Mark made way for Tony. Neil put in several good crosses from the right as Scotts long throws and last ditch challenges gives us so much momentum to go forward.
Lee M, as per usual, carried the ball over long distances around players and into the oppositions box. The only way they can get the ball from him is to foul him and this is what they did twice on the same run within there box to give us a penalty!
Matt usually takes our penalties but as he was playing with a broken toe and the fact that Lee had completely made this penalty himself, Matt very honourably stood aside to let Lee take it. The curling shot to the keepers right was well saved and pushed out to deny us a two goal lead.
A few balls through to Big James up front and a few pop shots brought the game to a quite end to give us the win.
Full Time
Lokomotiv 2 - 1 Ashford Rangers
Weekly Three Questions:
Did We Deserve To Win Today? Yes
Did We Put It In Today? Mmmmm ish?
Man Of The Match?
A few good performances today, especially Defensively. Danny Tysoe, who done his Job Firmly and contributed to the team going forward, along with Scotty B giving confidence at the back, Mark Scoring and Stocker always ready to advance when able to. However this weeks Man Of The Match goes to and Old Loko Favourite Choice, Neil O'Brian. Not only solid at the back but put some mileage in today going onwards along with quite a few lovely crosses into the box, one which lead to the first goal! Well Played Neil.
Final Thoughts
As today's opening phrase says " a win is a win and three point is three points " We managed both and sometimes maybe need bringing down to earth with the fact we are Sunday League Footballers who play a game, and are only as good, as our results show, which this year is inconsistent to say the least.
Current Form is WLWLWL. On our day we will beat so many teams in our league and the league above but it just has to click and be right on the day with right formation and personnel within it. Today we done the job required and can take the positives of our defensive players at the moment which is something we have lacked in the past. Good turnout in the boozer afterwards as well!
By The Way..... How Hot Were those Wings?.... Woooah
Well Done Lads!!
We Win Together, We Lose Together, We Drink Together, We Eat Wings Together (Except Gary)We Are Loko.....
Quote Of The Week
" The Only Thing Consistent Is Inconsistency "
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