New Star Eaton in Kyle show

New Star were torn to pieces on Sunday as Loco notched seven, and Jyle getting five - in an enjoyable performance at Slades Farm on Sunday.If ever Loco needed to finish the season on a high, we did it on Sunday, as we trounced New Star reserves 7-1 at Slades Farm, with goals from Kyle (5), Keith, and Stu.

It was a hot day, the pitch as hard as Andy Smith’s snowman nose on his designer pants, and Loco took to the field with a very established side, and one that was willing to put in a good performance; both for ourselves, but also for Paul, who has been managing us for numerous seasons now – as he has decided to step up to become chairman, making way for new managerial blood.

So, the story of the first half is that we won it 5-0. Kyle was a monster up front, and generally across the whole pitch the team were playing a good game.

Excellent execution of passes, intelligent running, and often some great killer balls that ensured we would up the goal tally with yet another goal!

Although I’d love to mention each goal one by one, it would be impossible, but I certainly do remember Stu’s goal – not for the expert finish, but moreso for the fact that this time he remembered to do his cradle-rock celebration, only after being reminded by all ten of his team-mates during his celebration.

Keith also got on the score-sheet, notching the ball into the net at the far post, and strolling away with the most nonchalant goal celebration you’ve ever seen.

So that leaves three first half goals for Kyle – all of which were fairly similar – powerful runs, good strength, and then concise finishes into the net, only one of which took a deflection.

Half-time: Ferndown Locomotive 5 – 0 New Star Reserves

The second half saw us slow down a bit really. The heat was getting to us, we changed down a few gears, and saw off the game quite professionally.

Although we wanted to ideally keep a clean sheet, we did concede one goal later on in the game, which was a big shame – however, this came after we had scored another two up their end, so it proved to be a very futile consolation goal for New Star.

The two goals that we did score were all Kyle’s own work, a run a shot from a tight angle, and then a subsequent net bulge – what more can you say when he’s playing like that. Mr Eaton played only a few games for us this season, and ended up top scorer anyway – a class act, and thanks Kyle for coming along on the weekends when you’ve been able to – your goals have proved more than useful!

We did have a few other chances in the half, with Ali and Sam moved up front to what could be created, but by the full time whistle, both sets of players were just burning out – and thankful more than anything that the season had come to an end!

The Loco end of season meal is soon, and I’m sure the side will want to thank Paul in their own way when the time comes to it – two promotions in four season is not a bad record at all – so thanks Paul for all your hard work, and similarly thanks to Tara who has been so bloody lenient throughout the years, for allowing Paul to do plan team-talks at 3am in the morning, put up nets at 6am, and also for being so very patient while Paul was off out managing Scott’s side aswell every Sunday afternoon!

We’ll have a further write up in the forthcoming weeks, however for now, a good team performance, and hopefully a proud way for Paul to sign off….. for the time being.

Final Score: Ferndown Locomotive 7 – 1 New Star Reserves

Super Smith volley not enough

Loco entertained Longs Farm on Thursday night, in an intriguing battle at King George – where Ferndown aimed to overturn the previous 5-0 mauling that was suffered against them.Loco had a team which consisted of Sean in goal; in defence was Mike, Dan, Andy Savage (yes, he returned!), and Luke. In midfield was Andy, Sam, Keith and Ali. This left Bomber and Kyle up front for the home side. Chris was on the bench – but oh boy did he make an impression…

Loco played some really good football on our home pitch at times, against a very polished Longs side. With a strong midfield, we were chasing balls down and really putting our weight into a lot of the challenges. Our defence was strong, and Salva was on hand to produced wonder save after wonder save when required.
Luke, who had been doing a stirling job at left back, came off injured early on into the game – well that’s what he told the bird that was watching him anyway. The ACTUAL reason was that Paul turned up late, he thought it was the second half, so decided to pull Luke off in order to give Chris his usual five minute run out – only instead of having 5 minutes he had 65 minutes…

The first half was generally bitty, with not a great deal going on. The home side managed to produce a number of chances, with Kyle being hot on the heels of the Longs defender at all times, but despite the pace and strength we showed up front, our goal tally didn’t show anything for it.

There was a great deal of pretty football going on though, with Chris combining well with the midfield at times, and firing in a couple of good crosses – and similarly Keith was too manufacturing a number of passes, which could have resulted in goals for the home side, but it wasn’t to be.

So the first half came and went, Luke had a shower, and along came the second half…

Half-time: Ferndown Locomotive 0 – 0 Longs Farm

After half-time, Loco went 1-0 down - which was unfortunate considering our play deserved a reversal of that score-line, however it was a swift move and sharp shot that put the away side in front, much to the depair of our fan on the touchline.

Some may have said that Paul’s decision to bring Luke off was a mistake, but, in hindsight, it proved to be a sublime move, as it was Chris who notched Loco’s first goal of the night - and the equaliser, as some great work from the right side from Kyle, enabled the ball to be squared right across, and Chris was on hand at the far post to guide the ball into the net – a challenging finish if ever there was one.

As the game progressed, Loco continued to play some good football, and this resulted in another goal for the home side, with Mr Smith getting it. The ball was pinging around the box for an eternity, before it landed on the left foot of our talismanic midfielder on the edge of the box, and he took one touch tro guide it over onto his right, and then he produced a volley of the highest order, which nestled nicely in the left side of the net past the diving keeper. 2-1 to Loco. (Is that alright Andy?)

However, like a dodgy cook on Masterchef, the finished product was slightly spoiled when Longs Farm grabbed a late offside winner on 85 minutes – a goal which should never had stood, but one nonetheless that gave Loco just the one point instead of all three.

So, another point in the bag – relegation certainly not an option, and one more league game to go in this seasons very turbulent campaign!

Final Score: Ferndown Locomotive 2- 2 Longs Farm

Loco make it a Longs night

Locomotive played Longs Farm on Sunday at Ferndown in a game that could have proved crucial in the relegation run-in.With the departure of defender Andy Savage, Loco put together a side which had a good deal of experience on the field, however despite the number of decent players we had – we weren’t strong enough to compete with a very young and reasonable talented Longs Farm side.

In the first half, after holding firm for a great deal of time, loco eventually conceded a soft goal so that it was 1-0 to the opposition. Rather than galvanise though, like Loco often do, the goal only seemed to shake our confidence, as we then moments later gave away another goal, as their striker ran through and clipped it home from close range, making it 2-0.

Unfortunately, our team just really couldn’t manage to hold the ball up and play football at all. It was one of those days were touches were poor, effort was low, and the general belief wasn’t there. As much as the Ali up-front, and Keith in midfield, tried to encourage the whole team to step up a gear – nothing was coming off, and it was epitomised when Longs got a third just before half-time.

Half-time: Longs Farm 3 – 0 Ferndown Locomotive

The second half was much of a muchness really. Although Loco stepped it up towards the end of the game, it really wasn’t enough, especially as the home side notched another two goals on 55 and 62 minutes respectively.

Ali produced a good effort on goal when a sturdy drive down the right side of the pitch gave him an opportunity to fire the ball in, however it ran wide of the post.

Later, Sam was moved up-front from his previous left-midfield position, but with little time on the clock remaining, there was little he or Loco could do to salvage any pride from this already lost fixture!

As the final whistle blew, eleven very dejected Locoboys walked off the pitch, in one of those awful games where nothing turns out right, despite some small flickers of hope every now and then. The side however, got together for a drink afterwards and certainly managed to laugh off the defeat, as was instructed by manager Paul – and with a few games remaining in the league campaign, all eyes were centred wholly on making sure we finished the season with some points in the bag.

Final Score: Longs Farm 5 – 0 Ferndown Locomotive