Barker brace kicks off season

Ferndown Locomotive went top of the league on Sunday in an away opening victory against Poole Labour Club, with goals from Sean Barker (2) and Keith Jackson.Locomotive arrived at Branksome Rec at half nine, and thirty-five minutes later we finally took to the pitch for our warm-up routine. The team the started included Kris in goal; Jimmy, Matt and Luke in defence. Then in midfield we had Chris, Ali, Keith, and Sam. This left Sean and Kyle up front, with Matt Webb being the roaming scallywag across the park.

The away side started in confident fashion in this Division Four fixture, with the team in red and black doing most of the early running. The home side were a strong outfit, with a number of good players across the park – and it was always going to be a challenging fixture. However we dealt with them incredibly well, with Keith Jackson and Ali Carmichael being particularly useful in midfield.

Chances came pretty thick and fast for Loco in this fixture, with Kyle being in the thick of the action on almost every occasion, however unfortunately the young gun couldn’t convert. The first of his efforts went wide of the target, and the keeper gathered his second and third attempt.

However Loco made a breakthrough on 25 minutes, when the Poole keeper rushed a clearance, and it met their left-back, who mis-controlled allowing Sam to have a run down the right. Sam then ran to the byline and cut the ball back to Kyle, who mis-kicked the ball, but thankfully it met the ever dependable Sean Barker at the far post, who knocked the ball in from close range.

Moments later, Loco made it two when Sean again converted from close range, after some good work from the Loco midfield, enabling the chance for Mr Barker, who was put through, and then calmly struck the shot low into the net.

Kyle had another chance later on in the half when Sam put him through, however his pass-back was not strong enough to trouble the Poole keeper. Elsewhere on the pitch, the Loco defence were extremely strong, and Matt Webb, who had to go off the pitch temporarily, dominated in the middle of the park. Kris wasn’t really called into action at all during the first 45, however, when required he did a sterling job with his safe handling and excellent drop-kicking.

Half-time: Poole Labour Club 0 – 2 Ferndown Locomotive

In the second half Loco aimed to continue in the same style as they ended the first, and that they did. We managed to forge more opportunities, with Kyle again having chances to get on the score-sheet – however his shots were either saved or put wide.

Sean also went close, with Kyle managing to pick the goal-keepers pockets out on the wing, and put in a superb cross to the feet of Loco’s top-scorer, however his nonchalant volley ended up going wide of the target.

Chris Hopkins was producing some excellent corners from the right side of the pitch, and his ability to find the far post was faultless, with Sean again on the end of one of them, only to see his header go wide.

But finally, Loco did manage to gain a third, when the Poole keeper was under pressure, and then a failed clearance by the home defence found midfielder Keith Jackson (pictured), who confidently finished with a side-footed volley into the net – not the easiest of finishes (especially when he could have easily over-thought what to do!)

Chris Brown and James (or is it Harry) Bolt, were utilised to good effect towards the end of the second half, with Brown going close with a few shots, and getting a good amount of the ball on the left side.

Locomotive tried to close the game out by not conceding, however unfortunately we did concede one, but this was mainly down to an admin error rather than lax defending! Nevertheless, it was a good finish by their striker, who ran on to touch the ball to the left of diving keeper Kris, and into the corner of the net.

At this point it’s definitely worth mentioning Matt Robinson, Jimmy Redford and Luke Mellor at the back, who were incredibly strong throughout, and in the final few minutes the support at the back also came from Keith and Ali, who cleared the danger at every opportunity, leaving the home team little chance to get back into the game.

So, after ninety minutes and a really commanding performance, it was a great start to the season for Loco. The side will be aiming to do exactly the same next week against Verwood – best of luck lads!

Final Score: Poole Labour Club 1 – 3 Ferndown Locomotive

Awesome Ali puts Loco through

Players new and old got on the score-sheet on Sunday in a first round 5-3 win over Oakdale in the Robbins Cup, with Mr Carmichael netting a brace.Locomotive started the season in good spirits and good style on Sunday at Ferndown Sports Centre. At 9.30am, all players arrived promptly (apart from Andy, Keith and Sean - who gain £1 fines!)

The team that started was: Kris Legg in goal; Matt Robinson, Jimmy Redford and Luke Mellor across the back. In midfield was Kirk Eaton and Andy Smith in the middle, with Chris Hopkins on the left and Sam on the right. Keith Jackson sat just behind the midfield, and this left Ali Carmichael and Jonny Haines up front. This left a strong bench of Sean Barker, Will Craig, and Dave Hutchings.

So, Loco being Loco, did the Loco thing! We went 1-0 down early, with a sloppy goal being conceded - however it was one that wasn’t overly dwelled on, as we instantly hit back.

It Ali who bagged the first for the home side, with Ali Carmichael grabbing the initial goal after being knocked through by Andy - a superb slide rule finish by the Loco stalwart.

Then moments later after a sustained period of possession, the home side made it 2-1, with Keith Jackson turning on a six-pence to crack home a superb shot into the bottom left corner.

However, Oakdale pulled a goal back after a quick counter attack, with a cross meeting the striker at the far post, who nodded it home - Sam was caught napping for this one (hands up!).

Mellor however fired some inspiration into the team on 30 minutes, with one of the best free kicks ever taken on a Sunday morning in September 2007 ever seen. It was about 40 yards out and was pinpointed towards the top left corner, and would have gone in apart from a rasping save from the Oakdale keeper.

It was Jonny Haines that got the third though, and it was an exceptional goal, set up from the left side, with a cross that found the feet of the striker at the far post - and he coolly latched onto it with the instep of the right foot to see it hit the far side of the net.

Half-time: Ferndown Locomotive 3 - 2 Oakdale 2

The second half saw a composed Loco finish the half off pretty well, with the introduction of Dave Hutchings, Sean Barker and Will Craig - all of whom played their part in helping Loco thwart any threats from the opposition.

Loco scored the first goal of the second half, when Jonny Haines flicked on a ball to Ali Carmichael, who met the keeper and lobbed him nicely to see the ball hit the back of the net - a great goal!

Oakdale did manage to grab a third on 70 minutes, when a defensive mishap saw their striker with an open goal to roll the ball into, however their enjoyment was short-lived, as Dave Hutchings and Kirk Eaton combined to see a great goal, where the new Loco player slide in the young striker, who nudged the ball the opposite side of the oncoming keeper, giving the ball enough zip to cross the line.

Loco really could have had more during the half, Salva with the best chance, nodding a header over the bar, and shots came in on numerous occasions, with Keith having a chance after being put in square from Jonny.

There was probably lots of other notable action in this first fixture for Loco, but all in all it was a good start to the season. Improvements are needed, however it is a good way to start September, and long may it continue.

Ferndown Locomotive 5 - 3 Oakdale

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New players this year (Part 2)

September 4, 2007 by admin  
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Our next (and final) installment of this section sees a couple more players pictured, yet a few players still remain illusively unpictured…

As we said in the previous article, there have been several new faces turn up in pre-season, and it has been great to see so many of them begin to really integrate into the club. We showed you the first batch of them in the last installment, and coming up are the rest…

Ferndown Locomotive is a superbly well run club, and it’s excellent to see the new batch of lads embrace the clubs philosophy so quickly. Training has been really good - albeit bloody difficult, with Trevor running us ragged down the beach!

This page merely provides photos, and a little bit of information about each of the new players, with the rest of the lads being featured next week.

A warm welcome to all new squad members of Ferndown Locomotive FC!

Cheeky chappy who is always on time every time, even at golf days which aren’t even occuring.

Young and fresh face that has joined the team this season - reminds me of a young Mellor! James came to our Loco bowling night and was questioned by every single player about his nickname ‘Bolt’, only for the rest of the squad to learn that it was actually his surname. Welcome!

Rich/Rick Watkins has signed up to Loco with the guidance and encouragement of Chris Hopkins, who twisted his arm so much it broke - Rick is now out of action for two weeks. However, this lad is a talented player who has got great touch, and a great eye for goal. (This is what he looks like.)

Lee Snyder - a player who came to training week in week out, and then attended our inaugural bowling night, yet didn’t come to our first match of the season! Shame on you A superb asset though, and he’s been telling us how he really really enjoyed pre-season with Trevor. (Again, no photo yet)

Paul Russell has been at pre-season training, however has had to start the season sidelined, after being admit to a specialist. Don’t know what this ’specialist’ is, and I’m too afraid to ask… so I won’t.

Simon Rushent again has been with us throughout training and had adopted the Loco spirit so well, that he is cruising off to Poland for two weeks on a scouting mission… not for players, but for builders for our new stadium.

We wish all new and existing Loco players the best of luck this season. Stay injury free, show lots of dedication, and lets make this season a special one.

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Loco end pre-season friendlies

September 4, 2007 by admin  
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Locomotive completed pre-season last week with two matches against Ferndown Town and Bournemouth Electric, both of which provided no joy, but plenty to talk about.On Thursday 23rd, Locomotive played Ferndown Town, in a match at the Sports Centre, which saw Saturday meet Sunday. Loco had a good number of players to pick from for this fixture, which was great to see, especially with the awful traffic in and around the Ferndown area.

The match itself though was somewhat disappointing. Thew first half saw Loco unsteady, unprepared, and fairly nervy – conceding four goals which were mainly down to errors as opposed to the brilliance of the opposition. They were preventable goals, they came from losing the ball to easily in the middle of the park – and they really should have could have been cleared better. Nevertheless, the goals went in.

There were seldom any bright sparks in the first 45, however we had a few chances, with Sam, Keith, Andy, and Kyle having some chances. Also Jonny Haines looked threatening for the 10 seconds he came on the pitch too 

The second half was much better than the first, and the team forged plenty more chances and didn’t concede any goals. It was a team with much more solidity that took to the park. Dave Hutchings performed solidly at the back, and the midfield started to retain the ball much better. Similarly, at the back, Cash shored up the defence, providing some vital experience.

So, with the final score being 4-0, and some brighter moments in the second half, it was the Town rather than the Loco that took the spoils in this pre-season friendly.

A week later, Loco faced a much stiffer test at Bournemouth Electric Res, with a game against the front runners of the Bournemouth league – containing players from both tiers of the well established Sunday team.

Once again, it was great to see plenty of players making the effort to get there on time – however despite Salvatori’s well manufactured pre-match warm up, there was a definite difference between the two sides, with the Electric being particularly ruthless in midfield and up-front, where they racked up a number of goals, five being an estimate.

The second half was much better though, with the team beginning to galvanise in places, and the result of this was a few shots on goal from the away side, and Rick up front getting a lot of the ball and managing to go close on several occasions.

However, we did concede a couple more goals this half, mainly though down to individual errors as opposed to team glitches, therefore there really wasn’t too much complaining at full-time.

In a way, it’s the best kind of match to play before the season begins, one where the next team we play gets the backlash… Here’s to a good season for Ferndown Locomotive FC!

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