Loco Spank Alderney Manor…

Alderney Manor v Ferndown Locomotive

Slades Farm 24/10/10

This was a Hayward Div.3 crunch match, a 6 pointer of epic proportion to ensure that both Loco and Alderney Manor don’t get sucked into a relegation dog fight. Loco strode into this epic battle in buoyant fashion with a tremendous 16 man turn-out, all ready to step-up and change the recent negative tide of results.

 The line-up

 With the return of Dan ‘Van Der’ Carr in goal, Loco skipper Jimmy Redford returned to partner Sean Hebdon in the heart of defence. Levi’s recent dynamic performances deservedly saw him regain the right back spot along with our Polish international Chrisov Hopkins donning the left back spot. The midfield saw Smith-piece on the right, the Duracell bunny Keith Jackson partnering the work horse Dave Hall in the middle with Lawrence, keen to appease the ridiculous air-shot from the prior week on the left. New man Sam Canty partnered fans favourite Jonny Haines up top. This left Oly, Webby, Ali, Phil and Mike Excel chomping at the bit to step in. 

After a bizarre cycle shorts/sneaky boxer shorts inspection from the ref the game at a fresh feeling Slades Farm kicked off.

The opposition were able to string together some early passes together and looked dangerous with some marauding midfield runs. Loco however stood strong with the twin towers Sean and Jimmy snuffing out anything Manor had to throw at them.

Once settled Loco started to assert their presence and this was largely down to a Jacko started to put his mark on the game from the midfield engine room. The scoring was opened on 20 as Jacko broke from the centre and fed Jonny on the left who darted past the defender to sling it across the box into the path of a stampeding Smithlar. The keeper got finger tips to the cross causing Smithy to adjust his gangly limbs, only to play a sublime (and completely intentional?!?!?) 1-2 with the goal post and finally bundle it in from 4 yards out, Loco 1-0!!

With the wind in our sails it was Loco again 5 minutes later, as that man Jacko spread the ball out to our Syrian international Lawrence of Arabia. He instantly tucked it inside to Jonny who dinked past a player and slotted a ball through to the galloping stallion Keith Jackson to get it out of his feet and fire a left footed shot past the on-coming keeper. Loco 2-0!

It was squeaky bum time until half time though as Manor reappeared and threatened to get on the score sheet but our offside trap stayed firm and when called into action Dangerous Dan Carr in nets was equal to everything Manors frontline had. Loco saw out the half positively with Levi striding forward at every chance, Loco also hit the bar twice, once from a Jonny corner and Dave Hall powerfully connecting with a Seany free kick, only to be flagged offside.

Half-time- Manor 0 Loco 2

Tenacious Webby replaced the shoulder popping Levi at right back. Within 10 minutes of the re-start Manor had pulled the game level, with some defensive mix-ups but it was a Loco stalwart who was about to halt an all too familiar Loco decline. Another pestering run from the whippet Sam forced a corner. Lawrence guided the set-piece in and Captain marvel Jimmy Redford rose and punched a bullet header into the net to make it 3-2 Loco!

Jonny’s stomach decided it wanted to chuck up so was hauled off with Player/Manager Ali Carmichael ready to show his troops how it’s done! Manor however had other ideas and instantly made it 3 apiece.

Ali was having none of it and rolled back the years with a 15 minute hat-trick. Owed much to Sean’s deliveries Ali’s positioning was spot on as he commanded the 6 yard box with both an unchallenged header and volley, quickly making the game 5-3.

Smith-piece was putting in a very effective shift in also as he linked up with Sam who was desperate to get his Loco account open and for the second game running he won Loco a penalty as he was tumbled in the box. There was only man who was going to take it, Ali comfortably made it 6-3 and in turn celebrated his first Loco hat trick in some time.

Celebrations were cut short as Manor went up the other end and won themselves a penalty against the run of play. DC determined amend the penalty he just gave away pulled out a lightening full length reaction save to deflect the well stuck penalty to safety. A truly top drawer save.

With minutes left and as Manor desperately pushed on to salvage something from the game, Loco broke and found themselves 4 on 1. Lawrence had possession and like Loco’s own Gareth Bale he drove from his own half to finish coolly tucking under the helpless keeper to open his Loco tally. 7-3 Loco!

Afterwards the changing room was ecstatic. A hugely eventful game with 90 minutes of passion, commitment and ultimately belief, Loco were back fighting deservedly earning 3 valuable points!

…..

MOM – Ali Carmichael for his match turning hat-trick

GIMP – Chris Hopkins for picking the ball up before it went out of play and talking himself into a yellow card.