Match Report: Loko vs The Royal Oak

Goals, Goals and More Goals

"You Can Only Beat The Team In Front Of You"

Before you read this match report, please understand that neither us, the opposition or the ref remembered how many goals were scored let alone the scoreline due to the amount of action crammed into the second half, so, if there are inconsistencies within this report this is my excuse!

The day started bad, with the message from the assistant skipper of " I'm in Bits " to let us know he would not be able to play today, this along with sustained injuries from , Luke, James T and Chris meant we started with a tight eleven with Chris doing his best to contain his injury whilst still playing.

We started the game brilliantly, with the ref commenting after twenty minutes that " we were a bloody good team! ". We passed fluently, looked ridiculously comfortable in Defence and Midfield and Wayne up front was up for this game today as he started to terrorise the Oak's defence.

A long ball forward from Matt over the top found Wayne, who was clearly offside, as the linesman gave the decision correctly but the ref ignored him and let play continue to see Wayne score his first goal for Loko with a lob over the keeper. 0-1

This was the first turning point for Loko as I think we all realised that this was not a particularly good team we faced and they were there for the taking. This bred complacency with the team as we started to take risks, try tricks and generally not show any respect to the opposition. Chris struggling with an injury was still beating his man out on the right and providing balls in but to no avail.

The only way we were gonna lose or draw this game was through mistakes and Laziness and this is what started to kick in. " Just clear the F****** Ball " became a common shout from everyone. A fair few balls were played forward to Wayne from Matt, Hayden, Dave and Lee and he ran at goal and was close on several occasions.

Half Time 0-1

As we walked from the pitch to the sideline Hayden and Matt discussed the possibility of this game ending in a draw and if so it being an absolute disaster. Matt echoed these thoughts at half time.We are so so much better than, not only this team, but better than we had played so far by a mile!

Danny P arrived for the second half and slotted straight up front as Wayne dropped to the right and Chris sat his injury out. Within three minutes a long ball from Hayden out right to Danny P saw him run through two defenders and deliver a pinpoint ball into the path of an outstretched Lee M who connected brilliantly to see the ball fire into the back of the net. 0-2

Dave F was becoming increasingly more influential in this game as he once again delivered another superb ball straight onto the head of an awaiting Danny P to head home his first goal of the game. 0-3

Danny P has his tail up and was running at defenders for fun! Dave, Lee and Wayne pushed further forward as they were backed up behind from Hayden, Matt and a solid back four. Whilst others complained of the sun in there eyes when going for a ball, Neil, who must have some form of built in sunglasses, Won Header after Header after Header consistently strong as his partnership was Scott is now becoming apparent for everyone to see.

Danny T and Lee Stocker at the back played like wingbacks today even though they were in a flat back four. Danny T with confidence was strolling forward with great feet as he went around two or three players at a time. Stocker, smelling a goal in the air, was forward on every possible occasion. Neil went forward for corners as well with a goal in mind, with one particular delivery from Dave heading his way, a cry out, that can only be described as  a " Chewbacca in pain " type noise, was heard from Neil as Danny P took charge and headed over with help from the crossbar. Was that his chance?

Danny P was on a mission as he once again, following a lobbed shot from far out on the right hitting the crossbar, received a ball from Danny T's long run from defence, and shot low to beat the keeper easily. 0-4

Lee M's turn this time as a ball in from Dave on the right found him in a similar position to his first goal and he finished confidently to get his brace. 0-5

Throughout all of this goal rout, the Oak had no chances at all of even approaching our penalty area at all let alone an attempt. We marshaled them well and held up every attack they attempted followed by the passing out or dribbling out of defence to restart another Loko attack. Wayne not wanting to miss out on the goals got on to the end of another run and cross from Danny P out on the right to complete his brace. 0-6

Dave F had been the supplier of balls to a few of the goals today and wanted to make sure he ended the day on the goal sheet as he shot low on the right at the near post to make it 7! 0-7

With three players being on two goals Danny P was not going to be content on staying level. He surged this time down the left passed two players and around the out coming keeper to slot home Lokos first Hatrick this Season! 0-8

Full Time

The Royal Oak 0 - 8 Lokomotiv Londres

Weekly Three Questions

Did we deserve to win today? Hell Yes!

Did We Put In Today? Second Half Turned It On Big Time

Man Of The Match?

Again, as in previous weeks it is hard to choose a man of the match. This week being that there are several contenders. Dave F supplied some great balls today creating goals and scored himself. Danny T was as strong as ever at right back and made some superb runs forward today. Wayne had his best game for Loko so far getting his first goals. Neil was brilliant in the air today winning everything thrown at him. As Gary will probably tell you, even though he wasn't there, Lee Mustoe was fantastic today playing an advanced position in midfield and scoring his first goals of this season, and two at that. I don't think I had a bad game myself ;) However..... It will take something really special for us not to give a man of the match award to someone who scores a hatrick, and he only played in the second half! so for that reason this weeks man of the Match goes to Danny P. Great hatrick and crossbar hit, along with turning supplier for goals, constant threat to the opposition.

Final Thoughts

It works both ways when you evaluate the opposition, and come to the conclusion they are poor. You can stand negative and not be impressed with a win as it would be expected, or you can look at the game and ask yourself what would be a scoreline to represent a good win as opposed to an expected win. I think 8-0 stands as a good win. Yes we played against players with a far lesser ability to all of us, but most importantly, we showed, that gap in ability. The first half we started well but then fell into the complacency trap and once we all accepted this and went back to basics, as opposed to trying to embarrass the opposition, we were brilliant in the second half.

Yes the 8 goals shows off the ability of our strikers, but often forgotten yet just as important as scoring loads of goals is defending well and keeping a clean sheet. From Tony, to the defence, and the three midfielders in the middle, this was achieved very well today, again made easier by a lesser opposition, but still achieved. Defending well builds a base to go forward and support, if you don't concede goals you don't lose games, simple as that. If we play like we did in the second half each week we will beat loads of teams regardless of their ability.

Remember: We Win together, We lose together, We drink together, We are Loko!


Quote Of The Week

" If Winning Isnt Everything, Why Do They Keep Score? "