Timewasting Loco secure point

Locomotive gained a point at home on Sunday at King George against mid-table AFC Bransgore Reserves, with the help of an excellently struck Andy Savage penalty.Loco started with a 4-4-2 formation, with Sean in goal. Across the back was Luke,
Simon, Andy Savage and Stu. In midfield was Andy Smith, Dave, Dan and Keith; with
Chris and Sam up front. Unfortunately, it was one of those thread-bare games again,
therefore we had no substitutes at all!

Bransgore are a mid-table side, therefore this fixture was always going to
be a difficult one, however the home side managed to take the lead after we
were awarded a penalty in the fifth minute after a Bransgore player handled
the ball. Andy Savage stepped up and confidently scored the spot kick, sending
the keeper the wrong way.

After this good start, Loco held firm at the back, with the back line managing
to continually keep the oppositions’ nippy strike-force at bay. Indeed, we could
have been two goals to the good on fifteen minutes, when Sam had a shot on the
turn which was well saved, and then again, Dave was unlucky with the rebound.

In the middle of the park, Keith was inspirational, and ran the game at times,
with some firm challenges and incisive through balls. Elsewhere on the pitch,
Stu, who had just come back from injury, managed to get the better of their
left sided midfielder on a number of occasions. Similarly, Luke coped with the
pressure at left back admirably.

The away side did have a few good chances littered through-out the half, however
somehow did not hit the back of the net. They hit the bar, had a number of close
opportunities, and got the ball into the box on a number of occasions; however
Sean was up to the job – producing a number of saves and some really strong
catches. Dave Hutchings too, had a direct effect, clearing the ball of the line
in what was a certain goal.

Half-time: Ferndown Locomotive 1 – 0 AFC Bransgore Reserves

The second half saw us hold firm for more than thirty minutes. The away side
had the bulk of possession and the most chances, however somehow still didn’t
manage to equalise.

Loco really had hardly any opportunities to hit the back of the net. Even though
we had a few corners, we just didn’t get the break we needed. So it was
almost predictable when Bransgore managed to score. A good move on the right
flank resulted in a square ball being played across the Loco defence, and it
found their striker at the far post, who took a touch and then hit the ball
low into the back of the net.

It could have been worse for the team in red and black five minutes later,
when Sean Barker produced a dodgy clearance, managing to find their striker,
who, burdened with a one-on-one with Salvatori, had his subsequent his shot
saved and parried away by Loco’s number one.

Loco, who were continually accused of time-wasting over set pieces (well, it’s
better than doing foul-throws every two minutes!), saw the game out –
and the final whistle blew, ensuring that it was four points from two Loco games.
A good result considering we had a threadbare squad. Onwards and upwards.

Full-time: Ferndown Locomotive 1 – 1 AFC Bransgore Reserves

Belvedere…. Inn charge

Ferndown Locomotive went out of the Dorset Cup on Sunday against a strong and unbeaten Belvedere Inn side, in what (apart from the football) was an enjoyable day!A seventy-two strong squad turned up for this fixture, which was pelasing to see after some recent turnouts of minus twelve. The match, although not entirely important in terms of our progress in the competition, was more vital to get the whole team together for once.

With various injuries plaguing our season, and with stag dos, road trips, and other events occuring at the wrong time - the consistency just hasn’t been there. This match needed to be the massive rocket up the arse that would propel us into some quality league form.

Loco started the game playing 4-4-2. We were completely unchanged after the 4-2 win over Fernside, therefore it was hoped that the good form could continue, and early on, it looked as if this could be the recipe for success. Although we were under the cosh were a lot of the early stages, we remained resilident, and even was close to notching an opener - with Andt Savage going close with his left peg after rounding the keeper.

Elsewhere in the half, we kept things tight, and Belvedere couldn’t hit the target - mainly down to some historical acobatics from Barker in the Loco net (there, you’ve got your mention)>

Half-time: Belverdere Inn 0 - 0 Ferndown Loocmotive

After an interesting half time interval, Loco aimed to start as we left off - however we didn’t manage to produce a shot on goal for long periods - due to a mixture of tiredness and the home side being so very well drilled.

Indeed it wasn’t too long before they managed to score, with a close range effort opening the goal spree for the Weymouth side.

Three more were notched during the second 45 minutes, with Ali Carmichael going closest for the away team with a run and right footed effort over the bar.

So, although it was a disappointing result, it was great to see the whole team back together - and nearly everyone came to the pub afterwards too. Many thanks to the Belvedere Inn lads for being such good hosts, and thanks also for the post-match sandwiches!

Not only did the Belvedere have a good day, many of their players’ favourite team, the Terras - also managed to mke the day pretty special for them - as they secured a 2-2 draw against Coca-Cola league side Bury.

Final Score: Belvedere Inn 4 - 0 Ferndown Locomotive

The Loco Curry Night obituary

Loco had a good turn out for a curry on Thursday night at Bournemouth Tandori, and a big thank you must go to Will Craig for making the event so enjoyable.Will ‘Stanley’ Craig has always been a key part of the Loco side, and with the Ferndown club already being a geographically diverse club - after having had ‘Welsh Tit’ Langford playing for us - he fitted in perfectly.

Similarly, Locomotive have always been a team that can crack a good joke, and on Thursday night at Bournemouth Tandori, Will chose the perfect time to display the reason why he’s such a great ambassador for this football club.

After a number of mediocre football trivia questions, the topic turned to the female nature - and Will managed to stop everyone in their tracks, with a story that put us all to shame.

Although, for some of us, the ‘put on a record’ part of the conversation was funny enough - the rest of the story was just astounding. However, despite this tale of misfortune, half the Loco table thought that Will’s story was even BETTER than what it was, due to some dodgy wax in Ali Carmichael’s ears.

You see, for a good half hour, 50% of the Loco table were on a different playing field to the other - as half of us thought ‘b*llocks’ and the other half thought ‘arms’. I won’t go too deeply into it.

Due to legal reasons, we cannot put the full story on the web-site, however, it was great to hear the quote of the night, where Will said: “Right, I’m going home to my normal armed girlfriend that doesn’t have testicles”!

I’ll let you work out the rest of the story…

Meanwhile, in other news, it was once again superb to see the Loco youth team turn out for the night, with Mellor once again being the star attraction. Having already been out on Wednesday night, the young drinker had already puked his way through some left-over tequila before joining us at O’Neills.

However not being content with having sicked his guts out only moments previous, he managed to down a pint in record time with competition from Kyle and Dan at his side. An honourable achievement. Here is the evidence..

Cash converts as Loco get four

Loco got their league campaign underway on Sunday at Whitecliff
Rec as the away side came away with a convincing 4-2 win over Fernside Sports.

On a bitter Sunday morning on the quay, Loco had a whopping squad of 14 players
for this fixture. Sean started in goal; with Lefty (pictured), Steve, Simon, and Stanley (we haven’t
forgotten that one Will) in defence. Dan Smith played in front
of the defence, with a midfield four in front of him of Andy Smith, Sam, Ali,
and Cash (returning from injury). Andy Savage was the solitary man up front, and this left a strong
bench of Stu, Luke and Chris.

Loco started reasonably well on the bobbly pitch, and took a good twenty minutes
to get into the game. It was a tad physical at times, with some strong challenges
all over the pitch, however we used the first periods of the game to get a grip
of conditions, and slowly but surely we forged a number of chances on goal –
with the two Andy’s being instrumental in both of them.

Indeed, on 15 minutes was one of the best chances as a good move on the right
which started from some silky Steve Phillips footwork, ended up with Smith putting
the ball in to Savage, however his header was put over the bar.

Sam also had a couple of wayward shots, Ali fired over, and Simon Candy too
put in a number of good deep crosses – however the Fernside defence consistently
managed to clear them away.

However on 25 minutes Loco took the lead, when an incisive corner from Sam
on the left side of the pitch, took a deflection off a Fernside defender and
went into the back of the net – a superbly intentional piece of football
if ever there was one (cough cough).

So, with the early fortune, Loco were a goal to the good, and should have made
it two moments later with some good attacking play which let us get right into
the heart of their defence – however we just couldn’t convert, and
ironically, from the subsequent counter attack, the home side nearly equalized
– with a superb run from their captain, and a shot across goal from a
tight angle that was only inches away from being in the net.

So with a rather lucky escape, Loco did the Loco thing – we conceded
a penalty. It was a tad dubious, however, nevertheless, the Fernside captain
stepped up and planted it past Sean into the net to equalize for the home side
and make it 1-1.

With 5 minutes to go in the half, Loco tried to up their game, and up their
game they did – and it was some good work from Cash in midfield that lead
to the ball being played into Andy Savage up front, who was brought to ground
right on the edge of the box after some suspect defending. Cash then stepped
up to take the resulting free-kick, and managed to curl the ball over the wall
into the net past the flailing keeper to make it 2-1.

Half-time: Ferndown Locomotive 2 – 1 Fernside Sports

The second half saw Andy Savage and Sam switch up. Elsewhere the formation
stayed the same, with Dan still playing some wondrous football in front of the
defence. Loco didn’t take long to increase their goal tally, with Cash
playing a through ball onto Sam, who ran through on goal with only the keeper
to beat, and he waited an eternity before planting it to the right of the keeper
into the corner of the net.

Loco could have scored a hatful more in the next 20 minutes of the game, with
Sam lashing a left footed strike wide, Andy Smith getting in on the act, Luke
Mellor (who came on to excellent effect) putting a right footed curling effort
over the bar – the list of missed opportunities goes on.

In the meantime though Sean didn’t have much to do, and it was a testament
to the hard working midfielders of Ali and Cash, who gave Will and Simon a relatively
easy job. When they were required though, they did a tremendous job –
as did Lefty, who did a sterling job at West back.

Chris Brown and Stu took to the field later on into the game, and as good as
it was to see the latter playing after his recent injury – it was Chris
who took the immediate plaudits, as he made it 4-1 on 75 minutes. Once again,
a long ball was played through to Sam, who couldn’t quite beat the keeper,
however he managed to get hold of the ball and square it to the on-running Chris,
who took it in his stride to power home a fierce left footed strike into the
net.

So 4-1 it was, and Loco being Loco, conceded a second late on – however
we managed to hold on quite comfortably to etch our first league win of the
season. It was a good performance from a rejuvenated side, and one which we
can build on ahead of next weekends’ cup game in Weymouth.

Final Score: Ferndown Locomotive 4 – 2 Fernside Sports

New Star put four past Loco

Locomotive scraped together a team on Sunday in what was hopefully our last injury-hit game this season at King George. We went down 4-0 to New Star Reserves…Loco began with Sean in goal; Will, Simon, Lee and Luke across the back. In midfield we had Andy, Ali, Kyle, and Dave; with Sam and Andy Savage up front.

Loco actually started the game very well and played some positive football. When you consider how relatively good our first half performance was, it is very difficult in hindsight to see how we not only lost the half, but lost the game.

Loco had good chances early on, and the first came when a good ball was played into the left onto the chest of Sam, who ran away from goal but fired in a low shot into the far left corner of the net - however it was judged that he was off-side, therefore it was disallowed.

Sam had a chance again moments later when Andy Smith played a great ball to the far post, and Sam managed to get the ball under and fire in a left footed shot, however it hit the base of the post and came back into play - and unlucky effort.

Andy Savage too had a couple of good chances on goal, and the team combined were producing a number of chances. The best chance of which came on 30 minutes when the ball started in midfield, was switched to the right, and then some good inter-changes resulted in a square ball being played into Andy Smith, whose near post dink just couldn’t elude the keeper.

New Star were not really doing well territory wise throughout the half, but their first main attack was one which killed us - they got a corner, and then the subsequent kick was whipped in, and headed in at the far post - when really it should have been cleared.

Half-time: Ferndown Locomotive 0 - 1 New Star Reserves

The second half wasn’t much better for Loco - a couple of wayward efforts in on goal were sandwiched by three counter attacking goals from the away side.

The first of which occurred on 46 minutes when the ball should have been cleared, but their striker flung out a left boot and managed to strike the ball into the left side of the net past a stretching Barker.

Two more goals throughout the half killed it off for Loco, and we had simply run out of steam come the end of the game.

Some plus points include the dedication shown by all players on the pitch to be there. Similarly, players like Stu coming back into action is a massive bonus for us. Simon came back from injury to put in a commanding performance, and also Will, playing in defence, was again tremendous - proving his worth for the full ninety minutes.

Every other player deserves a good mention - however an exceptional thank you must go to Mike, who reffed the game, despite being crocked - another player to show his true dedication to Loco. Thanks Mike, it was well reffed!

Looking forward to next weeks game already - we will have an improved squad, and the season starts here! It will be a new and improved Loco that begins November, so we can finally say we’ve put this bad run to bed, and the good results will begin now!

Full-time: Ferndown Locomotive 0 - 4 New Star Reserves

Injured or carrying a knock

One thing Loco isn’t lacking this season is injuries. Luckily, albeit a bit late, the Back2Football injury clinic at Hamworthy Football club is offering a great deal…Back2Football Injury Clinic
County Ground, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, BH15 0HJ.

Affordable injury intervention exclusively for local footballers.

£15 per half hour session offering:

Examination & Assessment
Injury Diagnosis
Tailored Rehabilitation Strategies
Future Injury Prevention Advice

To make an appointment call Scott Langston, BSc, MSST, on 07723 372778