AFC BURNED BY LATE LOCO WINNER!

17-01-10 FERNDOWN LOCOMOTIVE (0) 1-0 (0) AFC Burns Lettings

 

Ferndown Loco marked a return to football after a frosty winter with a hard fought victory over local rivals AFC Burns Lettings. It was a case of new year, new kit and new result as not only did the Galacticos gain their first win since October, but also they kept their first clean sheet of the season.

 

                                    K Legg 

Jackson          J Legg                        Hall ©              B Haines 

Smith              Carmichael    J Haines                Gray

                                   Eaton

                                    Groves

 

Subs: Phillips, Carr

 

The sun was shining on the hallowed King George turf as Loco turned out against their local rivals in a mid table clash.  Donning the new home strip for the first time, the Galacticos were up for a battle in the hunt for three points that had eluded them for so long.  A make shift back four was not enough to worry the home side as they approached this game with a purpose that had been missing from recent performances.

 

A back and forth start saw the game dominated by the midfield in the early stages. However it was Burns who were the first to threaten a goal, getting a number of quick crosses into the box that were dealt with well by the Loco back four.

 

Confidence started to grow in the Ferndown camp as the home side began to push forward. A jinxing run by Eaton resulted in a shot just wide. Minutes late Andy Smith, playing in an unfamiliar right wing position, forced his way into the box before unleashing a pile driving effort, which flew just over the bar.

 

The action continued end to end until just before half time, loco forced the first major save out of the Burns goalkeeper. A clever run by Kyle “Whippet” Eaton saw him beat three men before being poleaxe by the last man. There were calls for a penalty but the referee adjudged the foul had occurred inches outside the box. A solid Mattie Groves strike from the resulting free kick was well saved by the opposition keeper.

 

With the half time whistle perched between the pursed lips of the referee, Jackson made one last charge for goal from right back. He forced his way into the opposition area before his Bambi on ice impression led to an easy coverage by the goalkeeper.

 

HALF TIME 0-0

 

An inspiring half time address from player/manager Ali Carmichael saw Loco turn out for the second half with even more determination to take three points from this deadlock.  

 

However an early scare came in with the sound of a ringing post as the Burns right winger cut inside to find himself free inside the box, but an onrushing Kris Legg cut down the angle and did enough to put off the winger as his resulting shot crashed off the post.

 

Loco were then forced to weather the storm as Burns continued to press forward. A shot from distance forced an excellent save out of the inspired Kris Legg and from the resulting corner, Andy Gray cleared was forced to clear a shot off the line.

 

The marauding Keith Jackson, then provided a moment of magic reminiscent of his first half charge, when he broke from the half way line, beating numerous defenders forcing himself into the box. A rush of blood to the head saw him take a pot shot into the side netting, when a cut back would have seen two of three Loco attackers ready to slot into an empty net.

 

The Galacticos then made a substitution, which almost provided immediate results. Phillips replaced Smith on the right wing. Minutes later a darting run from Mattie Groves allowed him to slide the ball across the goalmouth but the onrushing Phillips was inches short of getting on the end for a tap in.

 

Then came a moment no one was expecting, a loco corner was headed clear by a Burns defender. Loco winger Andy Gray, who had had a very quiet game so far, was stood on the edge of the area and the met the dropping clearance on the edge of the area and fizzed a volley across goal. Despite having his view blocked by Jonny Haines, the goalkeeper was able to make a strong save to his right. The ball then fell to the feet of Phillips two yards out, but the young flyer showcased some South American flair, by falling over the ball.

 

Burns then pushed forward again, the right back whipping in a cross come shot which almost eluded the backtracking Legg in a moment reminiscent of Ronaldinho’s World Cup embarrassment of David Seaman. However, unlike England’s ponytailed, moustachioed chopper….the enigmatic, clean shaven and sensibly trimmed Legg was able to get a solid hand to the attempt, keeping the scores level.

 

More drama was to follow as Loco were denied what seemed like a blatant penalty. A dangerous corner from Gray looked to have found Jonny Haines, but as he went up for the header he was bundled over in the six-yard box. The referee waved away the appeals much to the disbelief of the home side.  

 

Dan Carr was then introduced to the frame, replacing Carmichael with quarter of an hour to play. The young buck took his place at right back and was into the action straight away, lunging in front of a Burns attacker, denying him what looked like a certain goal.

 

Then came the moment that Loco had been hoping for. As the game ticked into stoppage time, all the hard work of the Galaticos paid off as Eaton found himself a yard of space in front of the last defender. He broke into the box, taking a touch to his right, drawing the goalkeeper out of his goal. Eaton’s resulting shot was well blocked by the opposition keeper, but fortune favours the brave and as the ball squirmed across the face of goal, onrushing Loco winger Andy Gray was able to poke home the loose ball from two yards.

 

Celebrations ensued as Loco rejoiced. Even player/manager Ali Carmichael, who had been substituted, galloped onto the pitch to join in.

 

The restart was just a formality as moments later the final whistle blew and Loco had snatched three points from an excellent encounter that could easily have gone either way.

 

FULL TIME 1-0

 

Next week sees the two teams square off again as Burns host Loco. Burns will be looking to exact revenge on the Galaticos while Loco will be looking to continue their winning run and begin to climb the table.

 

MOM: Kris Legg for an outstanding display between the sticks

GIMP: Scott Phillips for collapsing in front of goal when a tap in seemed a formality.

Frustrated Loco frozen out by postponement

10/01/10

Opposition: Eurosat

Matched Postponed

 

Fernodown Locomotive’s return to action after the festive break was put on hold for another week after seeing today’s game called off.

 

The stage was set for a rejuvenated Loco to kick off the season in style as they lined up against league leaders Eurasat Lions on a cold morning in Broadstone. However the referee had other ideas.

 

The Galacticos arrived for the away fixture to a field of white ice, despite the bright sunshine and blue skies. Despite the unlikely chance of the game going ahead, the team kitted up and took to the pitch for the warm up.

 

Loco were adorned in their brand new red and black strip and were looking lively in the warm up, whilst the opposition seemed forlorn and uninterested. Spirits were high in the Loco camp and they were ready to cause an upset.

 

Unfortunately hopes were dashed when the match referee decided to call off the game due to unsafe playing conditions, having already delayed kickoff by 45 minutes.

 

On a brighter note, Loco A defeated Loco B in a 8 a side training match. The team of Haines, Haines, Gray, Carr, Eaton, Smith, Carmicheal and Constable combined to comfortably defeat their opponents, with the lively Gray bagging a sublime left-foot, right-foot, header hattrick.

 

As a unit the Loco Galacticos looked raring to go for 2010 and ready to start the spring surge into the upper echelons of Division 3.