Squeaky hattrick aids Loco win

Locomotive T&D were in action at the weekend at Ferndown Sports Centre against league strugglers Collindale Athletic. Loco won 5-3.The manager-less outfit (us) were extremely slow in getting off the blocks, however the second half saw a much improved side leave the pitch as 5-3 winners.

Loco took the lead in the fixture on the cut up pitch, and if anything, it was a tad undeserved, as the home side were showing more enterprise and were running the midfield. However it was some good work down the left hand side by Sam and Salva which resulted in the ball being played into Ed. Bradshaw then calmly flicked it into the path of Kenny who’d made a good overlapping run. His shot was saved but the ball fell to Ed who managed to steer it in via a slight deflection.

It was level though moments later as Collindale had a corner which was flicked on. The ball then dropped to their left back towards the edge of the box, who volleyed it into the bottom corner past a stranded Mike - a very good strike, and well deserved too. Loco were playing very scrappily at this point, and were not managing to hold the ball up at all, and it was a midfield trio of theirs that were running the game. Indeed, it was their midfield that were instrumental as Collindale netted a second moments later, 2-1.

However, Loco hit back on the half hour. It difficult to orchestrate an attack on their goal due to the fact that Loco were not moving up as a unit, so to hit net at this stage was a tad fortunate, and the way in which it was scored was equally lucky. Again, it was good work down the left hand side which saw Scott hit a deep, swinging cross into the box. The defender headed it over his head, Ed tried to control it but it ran away from him; then the defender tried to clear the loose ball, but only succeeded in belting it onto Ed’s knee-cap, and from about 12 yards out it cannoned in off the post, past the keeper’s dive, and into the side netting. 2-2.

Due to the high-scoring nature of the game, many of the first half activities other than goals have been left out, however it must be said that Mike was very good in goal, and saved a number of telling shots from their strike force, however he could do nothing about their third goal.

In the first minutes of the second half, the ball was on their right-hand side, and was passed across the field to the Collindale left-back, who had already scored two goals. He then took it from about 30 yards out and jinked through some half-hearted challenges, before beating Mike at the near post from about 10 yards out. 3-2 to Collindale.

Loco took charge for the rest of the second half though after some changes were made. A flat 4-4-2 was put in place, and this meant that a confirmed 4 in midfield were able to combat their free runners, rather than the single midfielder of Darren who in the first-half, had been the Loco lynch-pin.

Loco equalised 15 minutes into the half, and it was the best goal of the day that saw it happen. Good pressure from Scott down the left-hand side forced a throw-in which Scott took himself. Ed flicked the ball on to Sam, who beat the defender for pace before cutting slightly inside and whipping a cross in, evading the goalkeeper and their centre-back. It flew past the onrushing Salva, but Jon had timed his run to perfection at the far-post, and arrived on cue to hammer the ball into the net; his second touch having been on the pitch for around 2-3 minutes.

Goal 4 for Loco came moments later. As Sam again found some space on the left to get ahead of his marker, and was able to cut the ball back to Salva, who held off a defender to lash the ball into the back of the net via a keepers palm.

Nearing the end of the game, a lovely ball from Steve down the right-hand side found Ed, who took it towards the corner of the penalty area. Faced by a defender, Ed nutmegged him, and with Andy in the middle, it was a Bradshaw cross-cum-shot towards the far post, which the keeper made a hash of and diverted it into the net, off the post. 5-3 to the Loco.

The final-score was probably deserved, although it was noted that the better team lost today?s fixture. High points of the game included: 1) Darren Mountfield: Had a storming game, especially in the first half - putting most other players in the shade with his energy and commitment. 2) The team woke up in second half and played some good flowing football on a bobbly pitch. 3) Loco?s defence generally coped well against relatively good attackers.

Loco move to King George

It was announced on Sunday that Loco are changing our home ground with immediate effect, therefore the muddy cess-pit at West Moors will be no more…The Division Five Sunday side are moving to King George Fields in Ferndown. This decision was an easy one to make after the problems which have occurred ever since the incident at the end of last season at the Fryers Field pitches, which saw thieves ransack changing rooms. Ever since this event, the club have been under pressure from the other clubs which play at the venue, and although Loco were exonerated from any wrong-doings, club management have decided to pull away from the venue.

The advantages of moving to the new venue are clear for all to see. The pitches are more accessible for traffic, and include ample parking too in safe surroundings. Similarly, the pitches are of premium quality, and much much better than many other pitches around Bournemouth and Poole. Also, the weekly price of the pitch fees is less, and similarly all netting and corner flags will be in place before games - meaning we just have to turn up and play.

Our new local will be the Pure Drop. The Tap and Railway, although they provided us with free food on all of ONE occasion, could not supply a regular lunch-time bowl of chips for Loco due to Sunday lunchtime demand being very high. It is hoped the Pure Drop will be able to supply us with something similar.

Ferndown has been a happy hunting ground for Loco, and it was a 1-1 draw with top-side Chianti at the end of the 2002/2003 season which saw a turning point for the club. Rob’s 40 yard goal that night was all-too deserved and the side went on to finish the season with form which was promotion worthy. It is hoped the smooth surface will allow Loco’s unique brand of “total football” to continue, and for it to be the home of further success.

Christchurch Royally Hammered

Loco took on the league leaders Christchurch Royals on the muddy pitch at Fryers Fields this weekend after a solid start to the 2005 season……therefore the team arrived apprehensive but also confident that we could get a result at the side we stunned 2-0 away earlier in the season.

The home side started with the same formation as in previous weeks, with the 4-5-1 formation being utilised. Ed and Lee were wide supporting the lone striker, which this time, was Sean ? replacing Tug who was out ill.

The initial periods of play were very scrappy, with possession pretty even between the two sides. The small pitch made things very difficult to play on with the lack of width evident, however, being used to couple of games on the smaller area, it was always the home side that were going to take control of the game. Indeed, it was after 25 minutes when Loco went 1-0 up as a concise through ball found Ed Bradshaw approaching the right-side of the penalty area, and as the keeper came out to meet him, he placed to ball to the keepers right low into the bottom corner of the net ? well executed finish.

Five minutes later Loco made it two, and again it originated from the right-flank, where an inch-perfect cross from Mike Brannan found the back of the net, much to the delight of all and sundry ? a well placed cross-come-shot, which Mike will undoubtedly tell you was the latter.

During the first half, the Loco defence remained strong with Phillips and Bramley leading by example, and Rob and Mike were also being physical with the free-scoring striker Dale Simpson, allowing him to get hardly any chances to pose a threat on goal. When he did though, Martyn was on hand to produce some stunning saves.

Just before half-time Loco made it 3-0 as a long throw from the left from Stu Bramley was touched by their keeper over his head into the back of the net via a lucky touch by Bomber at the far post, who happened to be in the right place at the right time.

On 44 minutes the game should’ve been wrapped up as a stinging shot from Loco could only be palmed into the path of Skinny, who side footed wide from a close angle ? possibly the easiest chance he?ll ever have. Steve also went close earlier as a corner floated in by Skinny found his head, however he only managed to place it over the bar.

The second half was going to be much harder for Loco, facing the sun, pitch cutting up moreso, and with Christchurch being generally a younger side. However, T&D managed to still contain them, broke several times for shots on goal, and generally kept the ball better than Royals? one man show up front.

Ed was being under-used throughout the half, however it was his involvement along with Ali which created a fourth goal for Loco. Some great movement on the wing between the two aforementioned players and Kenny, ended up in Bradshaw side-footing a low shot into the back of the net from an acute angle.

Towards the end of the half, Christchurch began to get a grip of the game, however they were being thwarted by strong Loco defence who went back to basics, clearing it out at every opportunity. Martyn was inspired at the back too, as every chance they had produced some stunning saves, including a few double-saves which would have been justified for inclusion on any goalkeeper training-video!

In the later stages of the game, the classic AFCB corner routine was taken at an opportune moment, and similarly in true Cherries style, it was bollocksed up, as Sean Barker played the ball to the edge of the penalty area along the floor, however Dave Davis scuffed and dummied the shot, slowing it right down so that Rob?s eventual run was totally out of synch with the ball.

The subsequent counter attack saw Royals 7(seven) on one with the Loco defence, and they shot at goal about 6 or 7 times, failing every time, however they were finally put out of their misery when a shot on the turn was fired home into the back of the net.

Loco weathered the storm of the last 5 minutes, and after the ref blew the final whistle, the side reflected that it was a great win which has been part of the best period of the season. Final score: 4-1.

Loco stain Vienna Windows

Loco on Sunday came back from 3-0 down to secure a valuable point against high-flying Vienna Windows at Fryers Fields with a great team effort.It was always going to be hard to judge what this game was to be like if you were relying on the league table for help, as we had played 9 games, and Vienna had only played five, losing only one. We always knew it’d be a tough task though, however our performance in the first half was simply not up to scratch.

The away side went 3-0 up in a short space of time, with their lanky striker causing a lot of problems with his pace and control. The Number Nine was by far Vienna’s Man-of-the-Match, and a couple of well taken goals from him, and another from their combative midfielder made it 3-0 after 30 minutes.

Loco were all over the place and not getting hold of the ball enough, and we were playing too bunched up -with three in the middle of the park we really should have been getting the players wide.

Towards the end of the first half Loco showed their mettle though, and we gained a penalty after Ed was pulled in the box and floored. Rob stepped up to take the kick however he blasted it wide of the target, but all was not lost, as moments later, Lee swung in a corner for the home side, and it met the head of Bramley who powered the ball goal-wards. Although the ball was stopped on the line though, Bomber was on hand to place the rebound into the roof of the net to make it 3-1.

Some half-time words of wisdom were required by Paul Phillips, and indeed they game, as the blues came out looking the better side, more focused, and had more possession. Again, captained by Sam, the team moved to a 4-4-2 formation eventually, where Andy pushed on up front with Tug and with Sean coming in on the left.

On 58 minutes we had a golden chance when Tug was set free, but his shot from 12 yards caned against the bar and back out into play, it wasn’t ever going to be an easy opportunity after being under so much pressure form the defenders; however it was one that we needed.

But fear not, 3 minutes later, the striker scored the hardest chance of the game with a powerful strike from distance which completely eluded the keeper and nestled into the top of the net.

At 3-2, Loco were focused, and it didn?t take long before it was 3. Davis found Smith who played the ball out to Ed to had space to gather his thoughts, pour a cuppa, and slot the ball sweetly with his left foot into the bottom left hand corner of the goal - a very calm but wonderful strike.

At 3-3, the momentum was Loco’s, until a lengthy 4 minute disruption occurred after a touch-line fracas, with the away side complaining about an off-side decision which the referee awarded.

After this incident though the game was even and probably correctly ended up a draw. Kenny had a chance on the 6 yard area, and their lanky striker made Martin stretch and palm the ball along the goal-line…

Good result in all, however just need to tighten up in various areas. A good point gained though against a team who were far from run-of-the-mill.

Loco start 2005 with a bang

Loco started 2005 in winning ways with a good 5-3 win away to Shoulder of Mutton. Loco always had the upper-hand over their opponents in a good-tempered game which saw a deserved victory.It was a Salva-less side that began in good shape as we wore the wonderful Yellow and Green shirts. Mike was in goal, across the back we had Stu, Rob, Steve and Ali, in midfield was a central three of Bomber, Kenny and Sam (captaining with the abscene of Salva). Lee and Ed were wide, and Tug was the solitary striker up front.

The early stages of the match took a while for us to get going, and indeed, it was the home side who took the early lead as the usually solid Loco defence were caught napping temporarily.

However this pushed Loco to be much better, and we dominated the middle of the park, and utilised both wings equally. It was some good work in midfield which saw a great ball being played through to Ed Bradshaw, who struck the ball towards the corner, but the goalie made a good save, only pushing the ball into the path of Kendall, who hit it high into the net.

Loco upped their tally to two moments later, as another through ball was aimed towards Tug, and with Bradshaw running behind him, the burly striker back-heeled a nice ball to the feet of the young-gun, who did the business by slotting home proficiently.

Loco however sloppily conceded a second momnents after going into the lead, and at 2-2, the scoreline was very undeserved, so the away side pushed forward to get another before half time. Indeed, it came on 40 minutes as some good work from Rob and Lee culminated in a deep cross towards Tug, who took the ball down well, and put it back into the box towards Bradshaw. Ed then confidently pulled it down and scored from close range.

After half-time Loco went 4-1 up as a beautifully weighted through ball from Rob found Sam on the by-line who dinked the ball over the onrushing keeper onto the head of Tug on the 6-yard box, who managed to weight a lovely lobbed header over all and sundry into the top of the net.

A good performance by the Loco lads just got better on 68 mintues as a sweeping move ended with a long, looping cross from Rob, which completely evaded the defence, and Tug was first to respond and beat the keeper to the ball with his head. He rose like a salmon - best goal of the day.

The home team managed to pull another back before the end, but it didn’t take the shine of what was potentionally Loco’s best performance of the season. Well done all.