Twatted out of the Robbins Cup

This was one of those fixtures that would appear on the vide-printer on Final Score, and they’d have brackets with the written word of how many goals were scored…..and they weren’t our goals either! This isn’t an easy match report to write by any stretch of the imagination, but anyhow, I’m going to give it a go.

However, to cut a long story incredibly short, and without getting too caught up in what was quite a freak result, Loco conceded ten goals in this match against a superb Premiership side, most of players have played at a higher level before – AFC Bournemouth, Wessex League – you know the sort.

Loco began the game with Kris in goal, Matt Robinson, Jimmy, and Cash at the back. In midfield was Andy Smith, Sam, Ali, Chris Hopkins, and Jonny with a roving role. This meant up front we sports Rick Watkins and Sean Barker. A very strong bench therefore comprised Harry Bolt, Will Craig, and Luke Mellor.

At first, Loco made it easy for the home team, after some sloppy defending let them get 2-0 up very quickly. Then moments later Andy Smith was stretchered off with what looked an incredibly painful knee after going in for a challenge with a Christchurch midfielder. Will Craig therefore deputised, and the players were shifted about – and we began to start to play some alright football!

We did concede a third before we got into it, however when we did score we looked good – as it was a sweeping move which eventually ended with Jonny Haines half volleying the ball into the left side of the net from 12 yards out – a really good finish.

Chances wise, this was about it for Loco for the half, as the home side powered on, with their skill showing through with various breaks and attacks which were quality – tearing us apart very often. They scored another two goals, with one “debatable” finish occurring after a handball in the box – but nevertheless, it went in, and at half time we trundled in 5-1 down.

Half-time: East Christchurch SSC 5 – 1 Ferndown Locomotive

The second half wasn’t much better. Luke and Harry both game on at various periods in the second half, and despite their input, the away side still managed to concede another five goals – although, if there is a small sado-masochistic chink of light to be had from the second batch of 45 minutes, these goals actually did come from individual errors as opposed to glaring team cock-ups!

The home side didn’t ever take the piss though – it was just good solid work, and they had numerous players who stood out, particularly (and embarrassingly) with their ex-school colleague of mine Michael Johnson, simply running the show in the middle without seemingly moving – which was testament to the quality he had! Similarly, the nippy midfield on the right side caused us grief galore.

We did manage to grab a couple of shots and a bit of possession late on in the game, however the score was a mirror of the first half (but just minus that Loco goal), therefore Loco were soundly ousted from a cup competition we were never going to win anyway – with the Christchurch side taking all the plaudits, winning, as they did, by nine goals.

If there was something to take away from this one, it was humble pie – however, the team spirit lived on – with players coming to the pub afterwards to drown their sorrows with a quick beer at the Beefeater – this is what it’s all about. This will certainly help us be bigger and stronger for when the important games arrive (ie: on the 27th!)

Final Score: East Christchurch SSC 10 (Ten) – 1 Ferndown Locomotive

Haines and Barker grab draw

Ferndown Locomotive played a well drilled JS Sports side, who managed to grab a draw against the away team in a hard fought encounter at Chapel Gate.Loco began the game with Kris in goal, with Will, Cash and Chris Hopkins at the back. This left a midfield of Andy, Kirk, Sam, Chris Brown; with Ali taking on a roving role. Up front was Rick and Jonny, with Sean Barker and Kyle “Old” Eaton on the bench.

The away side really wanted to win this fixture in style, however we almost thought about it too much, as we got unstuck fair quickly against JS, who took the lead within five minutes. A bit of defensive confusion occurred, and their striker managed to get behind the back line and side foot a neat finish into the corner of the goal, past Kris who could do little to keep it out of the net.

The side in red and black stayed very consistent though, and it was clear that the team were starting to gel, as nothing was getting through at the back, and we also starting to turn our possession into some really good territorial advantage too – as most of the game was being played in the JS half. However, quite strangely, this time on the ball didn’t pay dividends up front, as we hardly got a shot on goal. However Andy kick-started things from the midfield, producing a quite sublime ball through to Rick, however the shot wasn’t quite up to the standard.

We did eventually get a breakthrough though, and it was Ali Carmichael that was involve in it, as it was his instinct that managed to clip on a through ball to Jonny, who went one on one towards the keeper, and he skilfully chipped the ball over the advancing Number One’s head, into the back of the net. This levelled the scores much to the delight of all – however the new boy Haines repaid us with a bruising goal celebration – one that should be banished and forgotten ASAP!!!

The half seemed to fizzle out somewhat after this goal, and despite the amount of time we spent on the ball, the score remained 1-1.

Half-time: JS Sports 2 – 2 Ferndown Locomotive

The second half for Loco was much better, as we managed to get much more attacking going on, especially down both the flanks. Despite this though it was once again a game of catch up that we were playing

JS Sports took the lead on 55 minutes with a goal which really we should have not conceded, however con cede we did – so it was another team effort that was required to pull the scores back level.

Kyle “old” Eaton was used, as was Sean Barker, who came on to great effect up front – and then the Loco started to play. Cash was particularly dominant at the back, and was getting forward at every opportunity, spreading balls left and right on numerous occasions. It was a ball out to the right that saw Loco grab one back though, as he found Sam, who crossed the ball, and after a mêlée of activity in the box, Sean Barker stole in at the bar post to blast home a cracking shot from close range to bring the scores level.

Ferndown had chances to make it 3-2 later on into the game, as Ali had a shot, Sean again was close, and Cash too was getting in on the act with some good headers from Chris Hopkins’ excellent corners – however none of them wanted to go in, and we had to be satisfied with just the single point.

At this point it might be worth mentioning some dodgy referring decisions which really were mystifying to say the least, however I will not choose to mention that, and say that, despite getting one point instead of the preferred three - JS were a good side, much improved over recent seasons, and will be challenging up the better end of the table this time – so good luck to them.

Final Score: JS Sports 2 – 2 Ferndown Locomotive

Mazars net extra-time winner

Loco felt mugged on Sunday after Mazars came and grabbed a path through to the net round of the In-Excess Cup, with a 4-3 win against the home team.Ferndown started the game with high hopes after our demolishing of the Mazars side in pre-season. We started the game with Kris in goal. At the back we had Matt Robinson, Cash, and Chris Hopkins, with Matt Webb having the roving role in the middle of the park. In midfield we had Andy and Kirk in the middle, with Sam and Jonny on each flank. This left and up front partnership of Kyle and Rick.

Loco played better in this match than the league fixture last week, however once again, the flow wasn’t there, and we paid for it, by lettiing four goals throughout the 120 minutes, most of which could have been avoided.

Mazars took an early lead in this fixture when the away side sprayed a long ball out to the right, and their midfielder caught Sam and Chris napping, as he smanaged to get ahead and lob Kris in goal - a well taken finish.

However Loco hit straight back when Rick managed to break the off-side trap and go one on one with the keeper, and he then rounded the keeper to hit the ball home with his left foot to make the scres level.

Then it was Loco’s turn to take the lead, for the first and only time in this fixture - as we were awarded a quick free kick on the edge of the area, and Matt Webb stepped up to take it quickly after getting the permission of the ref, and he saw a gap in the bottom right corner - and he managed to find it with aplomb - leaving the Mazars defence and keeper standing.

However, being the tough side that they are, Mazars got one back soon after, where a long ball over the top caught the defence out, and their striker had the ball at his feet on the edge of the area, and he drilled a low shot past Kris’s right side, and into the corner of the net - a really well taken finish.

Half Time: Ferndown Locomotive 2 - 2 Mazars

In the second half, the home side needed to show some improvement if we were going to proceed to the next round - however it remained much of the same, apart from Sean Barker replacing Rick up front for some much needed gravitas up the other end of the park.

Mazars took the lead though in this half, with a free kick which was awarded just outside the left apex of the penalty area, and it was a craftily whipped in ball which found the net through a plethora of Ferndown players.

Fortunately for Loco though, our persistence paid, and it was a well worked move which saw Loco be awarded a penalty when Kirk played the ball through to Kyle, who cheekily clipped it through to Sean Barker, who was brought down - much to the anger of the Mazars defence, but much to the delight of the Loco fans and players.

It was Kyle that took the penalty for Loco, and he converted accordingly with a well taken right footed finish.

Full Time: Ferndown Locomotive 3 - 3 Mazars

So, it came to extra time, and unfortunately Loco never looked like scoring. However, the away team got one opportunity after a free-kick was awarded, and they took it and scored from it - as the shot from their striker hit the top-right hand corner.

The home side nearly had the chance to equalise when Sean Barker was put through one on one with the keeper, however he couldn’t quite poke the ball into the net, as the keeper managed to gather it and keep it in his grasp - thus denying Loco any las minute heroics that we are all very much used to by now.

The game ended with Loco going out of the In-Excess Cup - and although it was a hard defeat to take, it is one which should hopefully see us kick-start our October league campaign with a number of much needed back to back wins.

Ferndown Locomotive 3 - 3 Mazars (Mazars won 3 - 4 AET)

Loco out-foxed in 2-2 draw

Loco played their third league fixture of the season on Sunday against Fox and Hounds at King George, in what was a must win match for the home side.
At 2-2, in hindsight, it is matches like these that are looked back on. However, looking ahead more positively, hopefully this will not need to be the case, as a good October should see us put the memories of this match to bed.

Loco began the fixture with a relatively unchanged team from last week. This included: Kris in goal, Will, Luke and Matt Robinson at the back, and Matt Webb in front of the defensive three. The midfield contained Keith, Chris Hopkins, Jonny and Kirk – leaving Ali and Kyle up front. This left Rick, Andy, Sam, Chris Brown, Harry Bolt, and Rick Watkins on the bench.

The home side didn’t really get to grips with the game for long periods, with a bit of sloppiness here and there – however we started to find our footing on ten minutes, with a few swift moves, and then an early goal for our efforts. It was Keith who scored it, after a well worked move, Keith turned to fire in a shot into the corner of the net to make it 1-1.

Other efforts on goal throughout the half came from Kyle, who went close on several occasions, and also Ali who got in on the act with some on site shooting – however unfortunately we just couldn’t find the final finish.

This was subsequently punished, when Fox and Hounds grabbed an equaliser at the far post – a long looping cross coming over, the away striker simply nodding it in the goal to square the game.

Half Time: Ferndown Locomotive 1- 1 Fox And Hounds

The second half was a little bit better from the home side, however yet again we couldn’t seem to make our possession pay, because although we had a lot of the ball, we just didn’t convert our chances.

Fox and Hounds’ confidence was increasing throughout the half and it showed, as there were a few scares at the back, however Kris was pretty strong at the back, and managed to keep our fears at bay.

In midfield Loco were pretty strong, and defensively we were pretty sound with Matt, Luke and Will doing their jobs when required; and indeed it was a flowing move which started from the back which led to Loco’s eventual equaliser. The ball was played through to the feet on Kyle Eaton, who was felled in the box, and he went down under a challenge which led to a penalty being awarded from the referee.

The spot-kick was neatly converted by Matt Webb with a solidly struck strike into the roof of the net, and Loco were once again in the lead.

However, unfortunately, Loco conceded a second goal ten minutes later in a moment of madness, where the through ball from the Fox and Hounds’ midfield caught everyone napping, and when Kris came to meet the striker, he managed to turn him, and then simply had to place the ball into an open net. A rather frustrating one to concede in a match where we really felt like we should have had it sewn up within the first twenty minutes.

Rick and Chris Brown were utilised late in the game, with Chris proving useful on the left, and Rick getting a number of shots on target, however we couldn’t quite get the breakthrough which would have given Locomotive the three points. The game finished all square, however Loco still remain top of the league.

Final Score: Ferndown Locomotive 2 – 2 Fox And Hounds

Harry Bolt saves Loco blushes

Locomotive entertained AFC Verwood on Sunday in a difficult home fixture against a well drilled side. Keith and Kyle scored two, and Harry Bolt produced a wonder save…Ferndown Locomotive opened the scoring in the very first minute of the game with a couple of neat passes which then dropped to Keith Jackson from just outside the penalty area to volley the ball into the corner away from the keeper to make it 1-0 to Locomotive. The home side continued to play some very neat football with Ali having a couple of decent efforts, which made the AFC Verwood keeper very wary of the attacking threat from the team in red and black.

Defensively Locomotive looked strong with Jimmy, Matt and Luke sweeping up anything that came their way, and the full backs Chris and Johnny making
some brilliant runs down the wings to support the strikers.

Around 15 minutes in Locomotive made it 2 (I think 15 minutes :S) a good ball in from the left flank was not cleared properly by AFC Verwood, after a scramble Kyle managed to get his left foot onto and put it below the keeper, making it 2-0 to Locomotive who looked on course for a good victory even at this early stage in the game.

AFC Verwood only had 1 meaningful shot on target in the first half where they played some neat interchanges and there left winger was through on goal
only for James to make a good save low to his right.

Half Time Ferndown Locomotive 2 - 0 AFC Verwood

In the second half Locomotive started with same team that was doing very well but didn’t seem to be putting there chances away. AFC Verwood made 1 change to there team bringing on a quick midfielder. the second half was a vastly different game to the first, Locomotive played deep allowing AFC Verwood to come on to them, with Locomotive counter attacking with Kirk, Kyle or Johnny whenever AFC Verwood gave the ball away.

AFC Verwood though were the first to make an impact, from a corner the ball was knocked away then was headed back in by a AFC Verwood head and fell to one
of their players six yards out with a lot of the goal to aim at, although he hit his shot tamely and James was able to clear with his feet.

Then AFC Verwood made the breakthrough they were looking for, once again from a corner (they had a lot of them) the ball wasn’t properly cleared the AFC Verwood player shot and ball went through Matt Robinsons legs and it was unsighted by the goalkeeper and in to the bottom corner. making AFC Verwood a lot more
confident now.

Locomotive seemed to be doing very well though sucking all the pressure that AFC Verwood brought on, however roughly 20 minutes in to the 2nd half the tricky left winger for AFC Verwood took a tumble in the box under a “foul” from jimmy, much to amazement of the Locomotive team.

The same player to be fouled got up to take the penalty, the whistle blew and he put it the wrong side of the James, but the referee blows his whistle, rightly so as AFC Verwood had 3 players in the box as the kick was taken, so it had to be taken again.

James looked focused with a determination to save the penalty, he guessed that the kick taker would go the opposite way and as the referee blew his
whistle the AFC Verwood player stepped up hit it bottom corner to what looked like it was going in but was fantastically saved by James and he pushed it round the post, cue celebrations from Locomotive players, but the pressure was still on from the corner, with the ball whipped in Chris brown decided he wanted to try and score…. and the wrong end and sent a looping header over everyone that looked like it was going in but went just wide.

Locomotive then managed to hold off the pressures of AFC Verwood, we had a great chance to make it 3 - 1 on a couple of occasions with Kyle going round 6
of the AFC Verwood players but blazing his shot hide wide and not very handsome!

Around 5 minutes later Johnny managed to nick the ball off a AFC Verwood player in his own half and ran the length of the pitch but got in the area seemed to run out of energy and the ball just scuffled away as he hit it, good running though.

Full Time: Ferndown Locomotive 2 - 1 AFC Verwood Town