Verwood progress in Dorset Cup

Loco went out of the Dorset Cup on Sunday against Verwood. It was a below-par Loco performance rather than us being outplayed, so league optimism remains high…The home side had a good turn out for this fixture in numbers, however the numbers simply didn’t perform on the day, which was a shame. However, with debacles like Portland a couple of seasons ago sticking in the mind, I sense that this exit is quite a blessing in disguise!! It’s league or bust now for Loco.

Loco began the game with Kris in goal, an unchanged defence of Jimmy, Matt and Stu - with Matt Webb just sitting in front of them. In midfield we had Sam, Andy, Ali, and Kirk - which meant up front we had the might of Jonny Haines and Sean Barker. A strong bench consisted of Keith Jackson, Harry Bolt, Luke Mellor, James Clease, and Chris Brown.

The home side started in the best possible way in this fixture, despite the flow of the game completely being ruined by an over-zealous referee. A few players got booked in this game for both sides, and neither of them - including Verwoods, should have been yellows - specially for the free-kick which led to the opening goal!

It began when Jonny was felled just outside the area on the left side of the penalty box, and a free-kick was awarded with the Verwood defender being unfairly booked. Anyway, the resulting free kick was taken by Matt Webb, who planted a lovely far post cross on to the head of Jimmy Redford - who rose above one and all to plant the ball in the top right hand corner - a good goal.

The lead didn’t last long though for Loco, with Verwood equalising on 25 minutes, after a cross from the left side was converted at the far post by their lanky right midfielder.

Loco had chances to get back into the game in the second half, however there was little composure on the ball, and the half fizzled out with the reds going in 2-1 down.

Half Time: Ferndown Locomotive 1 - 2 AFC Verwood

The second half was not much better for Loco, despite having the benefit of the wind, it was some lax defending and a mis-judged goal-keeping jump with let the village side emerged with the victory - with two more goals killing the game.

Verwood went 3-1 up moments after the start of the half, with an easy finish from close range. The build up was good, however Loco had umpteen chances to get the ball away - so it was only our own fault.

And then one 65 minutes, the Verwood striker had a cross which turned into a shot, and Kris couldn’t judge the zany shot, so the ball ended up going in at the far post, much to the disbelief of the lad who took the shot in the first place!

Changes were made by Paul Cashmore, with Andy, Sam and Kirk coming off for Luke, Keith and Chris Brown - and the changes paid instant dividend, with a spell of good pressure helping us to get successive corners.

One of the corners was a good one too, and Luke managed to flick it on for Sean Barker to head home at the far post to make it 4-2.

Ali could have pulled one back later on in the half when he was put through on goal - however his shot went straight in to the keeper, and this really was just another incident in a game of ifs, buts and maybes - that, on another day, would have all gone right for us.

On this occasion though, it didn’t. Well done to Verwood and best of luck in the rest of the cup. It should be a cracking league campaign from here on in! It needs to be!
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Final Score: Ferndown Locomotive 2 - 4 AFC Verwood

Sean nets two as Loco win 3-0

Locomotive brushed aside Division Four hopefuls Arkon at King George on Sunday with a convincing 3-0 win, with two goals from Sean Barker, and another from in-form Jonny Haines.
The Ferndown club started with Kris in goal, and a defence consisting of Jimmy, Matt Robinson, and Stu Bramley, with Cashmore just ahead of the back three. In midfield we had Kirk and Andy in the middle, with Chris Hopkins on the left and Sam Davis on the right. This put Sean Barker and Rick up front; with a strong bench of James Clease, James Bolt, Jonny Haines on the bench.

The home started the game really strongly, and were playing some really good simple football at times. The whole flow of the game was much better than previous weeks, and for once we really seemed to have total control of the fixture across the park. Kris in goal was steady; the experience triumvirate of Stu, Jimmy and Matt were rock-like at the back, and Cash won the majority of headers which cleared any danger. In midfield we did really well, with Andy particularly impressing when he got the ball.

Loco took the lead early on in the game when a good headed through-ball from Paul Cashmore put Sean in the clear from some way out, but Loco’s top-scorer of all time, was patient, and let the ball run in front of him, before unleashing an unstoppable left-footed strike into the back of the net from 20-yards – a great strike from the left apex of the penalty area, which left the keeper with no chance, with the ball fizzing past his near-post and past his extended fingers. Great goal.

It could have been more for Loco, with a couple of efforts here and there throughout the first 45. The away side really didn’t cause too much hassle, although their striker was excellent at holding up the ball, and often he managed to turn and fire in a strike, but the presence of our defence. And then the solidity of Kris in goal – ensured that the score remained nil on their part.

Half Time: Ferndown Locomotive 1 – 0 Arkon

The second half was probably our best 45 of the season. A lot of patience, chances galore, and not letting the other team have a sniff at goal – despite a few heart in mouth moments for a ten minute period.

Harry, James, and Jonny all came on in to good effect, with Rick being one of the casualties - after he pulled a hamstring and had to go off. Sam switched to the left side of the pitch, and with Harry on the right, there was a lot of balance to the side – and through the middle, Andy and Kirk ensured sound distribution at all times.

The second goal of the game came on 60 minutes when Sean Barker was put through on goal, and he expertly placed a left footed strike past the keeper into the corner of the net – another good strike by Loco’s goal machine.

The space was really opening up as the game progressed, and with the Loco midfield keeping a firm grip of the game in the middle of the park, a third goal was surely to follow, and indeed it came on 75 minutes when some good work on the left flank resulted in a square pass being played into the feet of Jonny, who has little hesitation in clipping the ball into an almost empty net!

Loco really could have notched a further few goals in the second 45, however they seemed to be happy to see this result out with a professionalism that really was a breath of fresh air.

A good performance by the home side, and one which we hopefully can carry on into the next game which is against AFC Verwood.

Final Score: Ferndown Locomotive 3 – 0 Arkon

Loco sink to Bathroom scale-mate

Loco entertained Aspect Bathrooms on Sunday and should have emerged with a win, however had to settle for a draw - with a converted penalty earning the point.This is a game which Loco will look back on as two points lost, and not one point gained - despite the way in which the scoring went. Aspect Bathrooms were a reasonable side with a few good players, however we really should have put them to bed a lot sooner than we did, as we raped them across the pitch, with our finishing just letting us down at times.

Loco started with Kris in goal, with a defence of Stu, Matt and Jimmy. Cashmore played in front of the defence, and just behind the midfield of Sam, Andy, Luke and Matt Webb. Jonny and Ali were up front, and Harry and Kirk were subs for this game.

We got chances in the first half, with the closest one falling to Cash who could only direct his header over the bar. Other opportunities arose with first time efforts from Jonny and also Ali having a few cracks - however non of them wanted to nestle in the net.

In the meantime though we were successfully keeping the away side out of the game, and they didn’t pose any real danger, however, the Loco defence stood firm at every opportunity - and Kris also was reliable when he was needed.

Half-time: Ferndown Locomotive 0 - 0 Aspect Bathrooms

In the second half, Locomotive started to up the pressure somewhat, and we managed to get some width and spray a few good balls into the box.

Jonny had a good few chances throughout the second 45, and Ali too had a couple of distant efforts - however none of them went in our favour which was a nightmare.

We did however make the breakthrough on 70 minutes, when Ali scored what we all thought was a legitimate goal, as he turned and fired a cracking shot into the right side of goal past the stranded keeper - however the Loco stalwart was judged offside, therefore the ref had no option but to chalk the goal off.

So with confidence brewing after their escape, the away team then typically took the lead, and it was a well worked move which saw them do it - a sweeping move which finished with their striker side-footing it past Kris into the goal.

So with little time left on the clock, Loco fought back straight away, and showed some excellent grit and determination. Indeed, the desire to see the scores level was personified by Jonny Haines run into the box for Loco, which resulted in the nippy striker being felled, and the referee awarding the team in red and black with a penalty.

So Matt Webb stepped up to the spot, and drilled the ball home to the keepers right, ensuring the goalies already injured hand was that much more in pain from trying to keep his pacy low strike out of the goal!

The score ended 1-1 - probably a fair reflection on the last ten minutes, although not of the previous 80! Loco must work harder to achieve our goals this season, however the main thing is that we still remain unbeaten this season. Each week we are growing in confidence, and it is superb to see - well done lads.

Final Score: Ferndown Locomotive 1 - 1 Aspect Bathrooms