TX win despite Stu wonder-goal

Locomotive entertained TX United on Sunday at King George, in a fixture which was looked upon as being very important for both Ferndown sides, with local pride at stake.

The home side had a very solid team available for this fixture, despite the loss of losing Ali to Mothers Day. Therefore, we started with Sean in goal, with a defensive four consisting of Mike, Stu, Andy Savage, and Lefty. Across the midfield was Keith, Andy Smith, Bomber, and Sam. This left Paul Cashmore and Rob “The Bradshaw” Mawdsley up front. Kenny “Kenzi” Mersh and Chris were on the bench.

The first twenty minutes saw Loco playing some of the best football we’ve seen for a long time. Really simple stuff at times, but we were creating numerous openings, with Kenny being involved in most of them. The whole side were stubbing out any threats from TX, and we made them look extremely ordinary at times.

Therefore it was extremely justified when Loco took the lead, and the goal itself came from a surprise source – as it was Mr Bramley the scored it. Not known for his antics up front, Stu got the ball to his feet in the oppositions half, and proceeded to run forward, taking a swipe at the ball, which cannoned into one of the TX defenders. Bramley however, not intent with his first effort, then managed to latch on to the ball and placed a sweet right footed lob towards the top left corner of the goal, which eventually went in off the post – a cracking goal from 20 yards, and a great start for Loco.

Stu, has been wanting to celebrate any Loco goals he scores by reflecting the birth of his and Helen’s baby Freddie, with the classic cradle rock. Sure enough though, with the excitement of hitting the back of the net, the Loco stalwart gave a manly roar, before proceeding to forget to do it… honestly.

At 1-0, Loco really should have scored more – indeed, we should have had another two goals in the following ten minutes. One attack saw some great work from Rob, who squared the ball to Keith, who just couldn’t get his shot properly on goal, which allowed the keeper to save the ball on the line.

Some good football was being played across the park for the home team, and most of the threats posed by the TX side were being quashed by some resilient defending, and some solid midfield work by Bomber and Andy. On the widths, Keith was getting a lot of joy on the ball, whereas Sam was marking their nippy little number 6 – never again…!

On thirty minutes, the away team equalised to make it 1-1, after an attack down the right saw their midfielder cut in, and pout a nice through-ball onto their striker, who just touched the ball the other side of Sean as he approached him, and it rolled slowly but surely into the net to make it level.

Then, five minutes later, it was 2-1 to TX, as a penalty was awarded, after Westy was judged to have brought down a TX forward. The TX keeper was the man to take the kick, and he scored on his second attempt, after the first spot kick saw a player encroach into the box. Sean went close with the save, however it squirmed under his body and into the net.

Soon after two, became three, and Loco looked to be falling from grace in a style that has been synonymous with this season. However, in amongst the goals, there were some sparks of light from Loco, with some decent football, a bit more aggression, and nice touches, so even though we were two goals down, the second half was eagerly anticipated.

Half-time: Ferndwn Locomotive 1 – 3 TX United

In the second half, Loco played some better football as the game progressed. TX did manage to score two goals, and we were even down to ten men in some periods of the game, however, there were will some positives to come out of the fixture.

Andy Smith, who had a couple of decent efforts in the first half, was allowed a bit more space in the middle of the park, and he was spreading the ball out well – and indeed one of his contributions nearly created an opening for Loco, when he played it wide, and Sam fired a ball across onto his feet, but he couldn’t quite latch on to it.

Elsewhere, we were looking strong at the back, despite having ten men – and we even posed a few threats on goal – but it was TX who took the spoils for the second 45.

Chris was introduced late on into the game in order to put some silk into midfield, and although he got many touches of the ball, he didn’t quite manage to produce the spark required for a Loco fightback.

At full-time Loco walked off the pitch, perhaps disconsolate after a score-line which flattered the away side to say the least – however with heads held up high, because, with the nucleus of the side3 we have at the moment – things again will be looking positive for next season. Team spirit is improving, more nights out are planned, and this is conveyed (in parts) on the pitch – where there is often some great stuff going on.

Final Score: Ferndown Locomotive 1 – 5 TX United

Penalty kick gives Mazars 3pts

Loco were at home on Sunday against Mazars. Although the visiting team got the better of Loco in the reverse fixture, the Ferndown side were looking to correct that today…

It was great to Sean returning to the team today, making his 110th performance
for the side. As discussed earlier on this season, Sam decided to give up the
captain’s armband in favour of Sean taking it on – and it was very
pleasing to see the Loco stalwart back as skipper of the team that helped to
start. The banter in the changing room before the game was back to its best,
with Salva larking around as usual – and as ever, the long haired Italian
was named as goalie. Elsewhere, in defence we had Stu, Andy Savage, Mike and
Luke. In midfield we had Keith on the right, the two Smiths Dan and Andy in
the middle of the park, with Sam out on the left. This left a strike force of
Ali and Lee. On the bench Loco had Chris, Westy and Bomber.

The pitch at King George was in excellent nick after the previous boggy excuse
of a ground during the Lectus game, so it was one was saw some really good football
being played. The first 45 minutes went relatively well. Loco did some good
things on the pitch, and Andy Smith was inspirational in his new centre midfield
position. Elsewhere, Keith was a motor, and did really well on the right wing.

We really managed to keep the away side out of the game, and they really only
managed to manufacture one chance on goal, which came half way through the first
period, however Sean was on hand to produce another of his wonder-saves –
a tremendous achievement considering the ball was seemingly destined to hit
the back of the net as soon as it left the boot of the Mazars striker.

Loco indeed managed to forge a number of shots on goal, the first of which
came when Keith powered down the right wing and fired in a great ball, which
was met by Sam’s left boot at the far post, however his shot found the
side netting.

Then moments later, Ali was quick to react when he managed to carve out an
opportunity on goal, which only narrowly bounced wide of the target –
a very unlucky chance, but one which gave a lot of confidence to the side as
they walked off the pitch.

Half-time: Ferndown Locomotive 0 – 0 Mazars

The second half was very much a 50/50 affair, however Mazars started to step
it up a bit, with their centre-midfielder being excellent, and winning nearly
every ball in the air against the Loco midfield.

Our defence stayed solid throughout, with Savage, Stu, Luke and Mike being
excellent examples, and in midfield, we managed to keep the Mazars threats to
a minimum. We all tried to feed the ball as much as we could to Ali and lee,
however the strikers were not getting the service they deserved after all their
battling up the top of the park.

Therefore it was unfortunate when Loco conceded a penalty. Mazars had a counter-attack,
and the ball eventually fell to their striker who was running on goal, and after
a bit of defensive confusion, Sean took on the responsibility of winning the
ball back of the striker, how as he attempted to do so, he grabbed the leg of
the quick forward and he went down, leaving Ian Stone little choice in awarding
the spot kick to the away side.

At this point it is worth mentioning that the Mazars striker who went down
was badly injured, and he got carried off the pitch. We’ve had emailed
from Graham from Mazars, who has told us that after this incident, he is likely
to be out for up to 6 weeks, as his ankle took a right old knock when he fell
– so hopefully he’ll make a quick recovery.

So, eventually it came down to the spot kick, and it was the Mazars midfielder
that took it, and he dispatched it superbly, giving Sean no chance, firing it
to the left of the Loco Number 1 – a really good penalty.

In the remainder of the game, Paul brought on Chris, Westy, and the Bomber.
It was hoped that these three would be able to put a park into the remaining
minutes, and it seemed to pay off, as loco retained a lot of the possession,
and managed to forge a few shots on goal, with Ali going very close from the
right side, and Andy Smith getting in amongst the action. Keith too, was instrumental,
and Andy Savage got forward at every opportunity.

Unfortunately for Loco, it just wasn’t to be, and we ended up losing
the game – however there was a lot out there that was very positive. As
it’s been said a million times before, this season is one of transition
for Loco. Obviously, there are teams out there who can get in 20 new players
and win a league in a heartbeat, but that isn’t what Loco is about. Commitment
is essential. We’ve got a number of long-standing players now within this
side, and added to that, with the new crop of lads that have come in this season,
we’ve got more dedicated players who look like the want to be part of
the club next season. It’s been frustrating during this particular club
transition (possibly more than any other!), but it is one that might well yield
success next season.

Final Score: Ferndown Locomotive 0 – 1 Mazars.