Loco back to winning ways

The Loco this weekend got back to winning ways with a hard-fought 3-0 victory over DBJ Property. The game also marked another goal for Bomber (hands pictured).On the small pitch at West Moors (also pictured), which is generally considered a leveller, Loco took to the field with a slightly different formation. Rob, Stu and Mike were at the back, with Steve sweeping. In the middle of the park were Dave, Salva and Bomber, and Andy and Lee were out and out wingers, leaving Squeaky Clean up front.

Loco needed a win after a run of bad results (and form), however there was hardly any suggestion that this was going to change, as the match began scrappily. On the small pitch, with space at a premium, the ball was getting pinged about the pitch with little in form of possession from either side. As the half went on though, the away side were having the better of play - with a few wayward shots, including one which flicked off the top of the bar.

Loco managed to pull the game around though after 30 minutes, and Squeaky was instrumental up front, and it was his involvement that produced an early chance for Loco, as his through ball for Andy resulted in the striker to shooting wide from an acute angle - a good early opportunity which spurred T&D on.

Indeed it was Smiths involvement which led to Loco opening the scoring. The ball was played through from the right, and Andy held the ball up, and eventually it fell to Bomber, who daintily dinked the ball into the left corner of the net, past the stretching keeper. 1-0 to the Loco.

From this goal, the home side never looked back. Occasionally we beat ourselves up a bit, and always went for the more difficult option, or over-ran the ball when we should’ve passed it - but, on the whole we were clearly deserved leaders.

Other chances of note in the first half included an incisive through ball from Phillips (Steve), finding Bradshaw, who turned, and shot wide of the target. Elsewhere, Frank had a chance with a mazy run from defence ended with a powerful shot that squirmed wide of the upright. Also a Frank free-kick was spot on angle-wise, but a yard too high. Half-time: 1-0

The second half was a much improved performance by Loco, and probably one of our best halves on the small pitch in terms of chances created against a good team. Frank went off the field injured, therefore Lee was moved back to defence, Dave Davis slotted into left midfield, and Kendall came into the middle of the park.

Loco looked more comfortable on the ball, and were finding a lot of space (somehow), however the finishing was far from desirable, with Sean striking the bar once, wide on one occasion, and over on another.

With the score still at 1-0, Phillips (Paul) brought Pikey Jock on the pitch, and the change paid instant dividends as Mountifield gained possession of the ball, and distributed the ball up the pitch to Bradshaw, who cooly fired the ball low into the left corner of the net to make it 2-0 to T&D.

Ali also came on in the second half, and was extremely strong on the right hand side. It was his involvement again that played a part in Loco’s third goal towards the end of the encounter, as some pressure on the home defence made them give the ball away - and with Loco in possession, it was a mixture of passes between Bomber, Kenny and Ed that finally produced a shot on goal from Mintcake, which was saved, but he was on course to bang home the rebound to make it 3-0 to Loco.

Other chances of note in the half saw Dave Davis cut inside a rifle a shot just wide to the left of the left-upright. Another saw Mersh go on a mazy run and dink the ball just a little bit too high over the bar. Barker also was in the hunt for a goal too, and manage to hit the bar and crap up the rebound - but he was having a huge effect up the pitch, as his strength won Loco a lot of the territorial advantage.

Barker also played his part in Loco winning the numerical advantage of on-pitch players too, as there was a little bit of handbags between Salva and their Number 14. One of their players was obviously so riled by this that he kicked out at Salva, and was subsequently sent-off.

Apart from Bramley lashing out at air, the 3-0 result was 100% accurate of the proceedings at Fryers Fields, and it was a great all-round team effort - with every player putting in a lot of effort to secure a club victory. Perhaps we need these club meals and piss-ups more often…