Loco romp through with visitors sick as a Black Dog

With a new dawn beckoning at Ferndown Locomotive, interim manager Paul Philips returning once again, picking a cultured line-up ready hit the ground running at the crisp King George V arena.

Due to injuries and absences Webby was called into the sticks with protection from Gricie, Neil partnering Skipper Matt Robinson and with a welcome return from our very own wanderer Keith ‘I promise’ Jackson slotting into an unfamiliar right back slot. A strong midfield featured Sammy D, on the right, Smithy on the left with Big Dave & Big Jim forming a formidable partnership in the middle of the park. Returning from international drinking duty in Newquay, Jonny was partnered by mercurial Rik Waller in attack.

The visitors to King George were an unknown side named AFC Black Dog. A few pre-game emails suggested the test could be a stiff one and having travelled from Weymouth AFC Black Dog were hoping to secure their passage into the next round of the ………. Cup, a rejuvenated Loco however had other plans.

After a 2 minute silence the game started positively for Loco as pressure was asserted straight from the off. Evidence of past training sessions was on show like a fine oil painting as Loco were converting some neat triangle passing into confident attacking sequences carving open the Black Dog defence on a number of occasions. Attacks were spilling forward repeatedly with Jacko frequently galloping down the flanks, linking up with Sam & Jonny in some slick and penetrating moves. Kaka Watkins playing the floating role linked up in fine style with the ever solid Dave and Jim by dropping deep and bringing Smith-dog into the game down the left flank.

The fine opening goal on 20mins was just reward for a period of pressure that I expect could only be topped by Real Madrids Galactico’s and it came from Andy ‘the stride’ Smith. The probing left midfielder finished off a great move involving the wing wizardry of Jonny and Keith who moved the ball round for fun like it was the school playground. Jacko played a cheeky 1-2 with fellow Galactico Davis, only for the man known as ‘The Brow’ to fizz in a by-line cross for charging Smithy to connect with and break the net with a thunderous diving head. When taking a set piece the opposition linesman/manager quoted to me:

‘The finest goal he’d seen in Sunday League Football’…a fine tribute.

The second was inevitable but Loco were demonstrating traits of the Gooners as fine build up play was missing the end product. These included a couple of Rik freekicks missing there usual rocket fuel, Haines playing target practice with the corner flags and a couple of corners that couldn’t be capitalised on with only Dave going close with a powerful nod. On the stroke of half an hour the second did arrive courtesy of current leading scorer Jimbo Legg. From a Haines freekick the powerful midfielder connected with his head…then his shoulder but combining it with general momentum bundled it home to gain Loco the deserved cushion.

The opposition troubled very little but the Loco defence were switched on as they confidentially held onto possession with Gricie, Neil & Matty Robinson dominating aerial play and picking out openings to stroke balls forward. Webby demonstrated a fine kicking display and was almost playing sweeper on occasions to snuff out the Black Dog questions. With 10 minutes of the half left Kaka Watkins picked the pocket of a midfielder to then finely dink it over the defence for a breaking Jonny to slot past the advancing keeper for number 3.

Half Time: Ferndown Loco 3-0 AFC Black Dog

The second half started in a peculiar fashion with Loco nodding off for 5 minutes proving fortunate not to concede, but with Webby Van Der Sar in goal & his 4 footmen in tow the danger fortunately never materialised. One such scrappy clearance led Dave to power out of our box feeding Haines. He proceeded to sprint the rest of the pitch, skipping past a couple of luckily fat defenders, only to secure the gimp of the game award by missing the target completely after scooping the ball over the bar, a fine clearance.

The rest of the game was an impressive and massive confidence boosting display of creativity, imagination and passion as the Loco boys marched forward in search of yet more. Sammy D cutting inside using his trademark drop of the shoulder (as featured on Kris ‘paparazzi’ Leggs’ cracking Facebook Loco Photos) looked a constant threat by linking up finely with Jacko, along with Smithy, Jim and Rik drifting past defenders as though they weren’t there, peppering the goal as they went.

It was left to the ever impressive work horse Dave Hall, to receive a threaded pass in the middle of the park, using the greasy turf to slam home an edge of the box effort unstoppably into the onion bag! 4-0 Loco!

Webby added to his impressive display by coming out on top of a rare Black Dog flurry with a breathtaking stop. A fired cross found the head of a Black Dog prowler only for a sight restricted Webby to appear from behind the crowd; at full stretch like Superman without the pants, to palm the effort round the post. A clean sheet thoroughly earnt.

The deserved 5th goal came from substitute stalwart Ali Carmeichal who on the 15th time of asking beat the offside trap to gallop on through like an ageing thorough-bred to leave the Black Dog ‘keeper flapping at fresh air. A fine finish and a reminder to us all of the depth of the squad and the on-coming headaches for new manager Philips to consider, with Jaap Redford, Polish, Leggy, Dangerous Dan Carr and hopefully Cashmore soon knocking on the door for a starting berth.

Nursing a shiner Cashmore made a guest appearance, to check up on the red & blacks and Jacko’s man of the match performance at his newly acquired Gary Neville role.

Finally a special mention must go to Gricie who strolled innocently into the showers, hoping for the god given right to wash down his mornings hard graft, only to be struck by a wall of toxic fart….and proceed to uncontrollably throw up!! Sorry mate. That’s Loco love right there.

Final Score: Ferndown Locomotive 5 - 0 AFC Black Dog

Priory find the Quay in 4-0 rout

Match report to appear here.

Five Star Jimbo Show against hapless Three Cross dross

A pumped up Loco brimming with confidence from last weeks performance strode onto a dewy pitch at Three Legged Cross ready to dish out the smack down to the next team that crossed our path, this came in the form of a lively Three Cross team.

With Juande Cashmore again being let down by one or two individuals, (we wont mention names because that would be unfair to Dave and Jacko, and the host of other big name players on ‘international drinking duty’ in Manchester …did Kirk wear his shell suit again Smithy?) the shrewd manager that he is drafted in a couple of the old school in the shape of Westy and Chris ‘your mum’ Brown.

The team shaped up with Kris ‘Point blank’ Legg in goal, lightening Gricey at right back, Skip Robinson and Neil ‘pinpoint’ Dall in the middle with Westy on the left. The midfield was made up of Sammy Davis Jr, Jim Legg (fresh from the Barca slut fest), Ali ‘quick reactions’ Carmichael and Browner, leaving Casper and Rik Waller up front.

After a bizarre introductory rambling rant from the rugby ref who took a shining to Matt Robinson, manager Cashmore; with bum buddy Dan Carr in tow, spelt out a stern team talk. It was rounded off with the immortal words ‘don’t concede’ hammered into us 3 times…within 45 seconds of kick off Loco were one down. Well played lads!! The move materialised from their kick off with a freak shot left of the 18yard box spearing through the crisp Autumn breeze and nestling in the top corner, much to the surprise of the Three Cross player and shock of the Loco team who are getting a taste for giving the opposition a one nil lead before waking up.

On a spacious pitch both teams were trying to play ‘the beautiful game’, and a Loco equaliser was soon to be plundered. A long ball arrowed through the defence; skipped off the turf and wrong footed the advancing keeper, allowing Rik to nip in and slide the ball into an open net, 1-1 game on!!

Although bursting forward regularly Loco struggled to retain the ball and began riding their luck. A Three Cross set piece nearly punished the Loco chancers, as the cross come shot beat Leggy only for a leaping Cashmore (on for Westy who enjoyed a 10 minute cameo) to appear at the last second and divert the goal bound effort using his ever effective reinforced skull. It was this moment that turned to Loco tide!

Loco’s second was fashioned from some sick top of the range skill up he left hand side from eventual gimp of the game Jonny ‘Casper’ Haines, who won a corner, slung it into the mixer only for the blatant goal to be claimed by the Trojan Jim Legg, still in search of his  first victory in Loco colours. 2-1! Brimming with confidence and genuinely enjoying their football Loco were starting to express themselves with Browner and Sammy D. regularly marauding forward, and the defence standing resolute.

A third was added before half time as Rik rode a couple of tackles on the edge of the area only to fire superbly into the bottom corner with a crisp strike. The erratic ref used his whistle for once and blew for half time with Loco confidence brimming, wanting more!

Half-time: Three Cross 1 - 3 Ferndown Locomotive

The second half continued in positive Loco vain as Three Cross failed to pose any threat except the odd Leggy juggling act, but even then the Loco stopper was merely toying with opposition.

The second half was littered with Loco efforts. It featured Jonny firing blanks as usual, Cashmore wiping out the terrified Three Cross goalie with EVERY corner that was delivered, Matt Robinson shuffling to left back and linking up with the cheeky Yid Browner, also Sammy D. having a drifting effort swing agonisingly wide and Ali performing the slowest reactionary turn in Locomotive history as he regularly broke from midfield.

However, it was soon to turn into the Man of the Match performance Jim Legg show as he netted twice more to claim a hat trick. On both occasions he linked up with Rik who firstly clipped in a deft free kick for Jim to out leap the keeper to make it 4-1. Loco’s 5th and Jimbo’s 3rd came from a Watkins cross, with the midfielder expertly controlling it in the area and sweeping it into the net out of the reach of the hapless Goalie. Rik went on to hit the woodwork again with another finely crafted freekick, and besides nearly starting on one of the Three Cross players mums, he and Jim had caused the irreparable damage. Job done, game over, Loco rise to mid table!!

The confidence and banter stemming from the Loco outfit was a fine advert for the club who; along with the players coming in, willing to answer their clubs SOS, have a squad that really do get passionate about not fulfilling their potential, players who are proud to pull on the club jersey of Ferndown Locomotive, led by Harry (no longer Juande) Cashmore…. I’m still not happy with the gimp award though.

Full-time: Three Cross 1 - 5 Ferndown Locomotive

Crafted by the only and only… Jonny Haines

Tiegla pick-pocket three points from Loco

Locomotive somehow lost 3-0 on Sunday, in a game where we ruled the roost for 70% of the game.  We came up against high flying Tiegla Tiles at King George on Sunday, in a match would would really be a good indication of how we’d fare this season.

On the football side, Loco would have nothing to worry about as we not only matched them, but outplayed them through much of the game - but in terms of the all important goals, well, Tiegla were the side that came away with the last laugh, scoring, as they did, three quick fire goals.

Loco began the game with Kris in goal, and a back four of Chris Hopkins, Mat Robinson, Matthew Webb, and Paul Cashmore.  In midfield we sported Luke Mellor, Andy Smith, Sam Davis, and Ali Carmichael.  Up front was Jonny Haines and Dave Hall - Neil was our only sub.

We pretty much realised last season that Tiegla are a confidence side - if they concede first, their heas go down, but if they score first, they play like a team of pros.  Unfortunately for us, our opponents took the lead inside the first 60 seconds!  In a sweeping move starting from the right, they managed to get a cross in, and their striker was on hand to nod it home at the near post.

Unbeleivable as it was, Loco brushed ourselves off, and then outplayed our fellow Division Three side for the rest of the half.  Chances came relatively frequently, with Ali laying off for Sam, who fizzed wide.  Dave had a chance to net, and Ali coldn’t get a shot away in time.  Jonny was proving a menace up front - and during all of this the Ferndown defence was incredibly resiliant, with Mat and Cash particularly impressing.

Somehow, we didn’t score for the rest of the half - and this was a travesty con sidering the amount of possession we had.  Even with a threadbare squad, we were playing some tremendous football at King George, and it was only by fortune that we didn’t equalise.

Indeed, our misery could have been compounded further when a long range Tiegla shot came in on 40 minutes, a power-driver of a shot.  Thankfully though, the legend that is Kris Legg in goal, managed to pull of an incredible save, and touch the ball onto the cross bar, ensuring the ball went up and over, rather than up and in!

Half time: Ferndown Locomotive 0 - 1 Tiegla Tiles

The second half, again, saw Loco come up trumps in herms of possession.  We managed to carve out chances, but the finishes just weren’t there, with Dave on 60 minutes being particularly guilty of not putting the game away, with a right footed lob over the bar, when a left footed thwack would have surely been easier…

This, unfortunately, was a bit of a turning point for Loco, because moments later a long hopeful ball from a Tiles defender, went intot he path of their number 9, who did well to keep his feet, then side foot home a lovely finish to the left of the diving Kris Legg - to make it 2-0 to the away side.

Then later, it was 3-0 - as a free kick was conceded on the edge of the box, and a Tiles midfielder stepped up to blast the ball into the top-right of the goal, taking a deflection off Mat Robinson on the way - meaning the Cashmore’s attempted clearance would only be in vain.

3-0 - unbelievable!

Well, the game petered out somewhere for the home side in the last few minutes, and as the final whistle blew our team were quite simply astounded at how we managed to leave the pitch with no points whatsoever.

Fair play to Tiegla, they stuck to their guns and did the business in front of goal.. but I can assure them, that next time we play them, we’ll certainly try to teach them a few lessons!

Final Score: Ferndown Locomotive 0 - 3 Tiegla Tiles

Verwood get three points at King George

The mighty Ferndown Locomotive met AFC Verwood at a fog blessed King George V playing fields, with the lads determined to put last weeks embarrassment firmly behind them. Depleted on the numbers the manager aka the injured ‘Iron Paws Cashmore’ was forced into a shuffle of personnel and formation.

The cat Kris Legg started in goal, with a back three comprising of Neil Dall , Matty Skip Robinson and Jimmy  Redford.  Keen to bolster numbers in midfield Big Jim was accompanied by Kirkster and Jacko, with Smithy and Polish on the flanks. The absence of Rik, Ali & Cleasey meant Big Dave got the nod upfront with The Haines.

As the sun crept out, the Locomotive started with the wind in their sails with some defiant and organised defending and some neat fluid forward movements with both Smithy and Polish getting involved early on up the flanks. With Kirk and Keith both starting to control the middle of the park, Loco fashioned the first chance of the encounter with the Haines skipping past the sluggish left back to whip it in for the galloping Jim who was unable to connect leaving the goal gaping!

Wanting to take advantage of our superior height a number of set pieces and corners followed with Keith and Jimmy looking dangerous but still the deadlock could not be broken. In goal Kris Leggs continued kicking improvement created a chance for Haines, utilising on a defensive mix up (I expect he aimed for Dave hence the confusion). With the ball bouncing over the final man, Haines latched onto it stretching to strike it past the on coming goalkeeper, with defenders chasing back to intercept, the effort alas did not have the legs to nestle in the net. With a number of chances squandered it was surely just a matter of time.

After half an hour, first blood unfortunately fell to Verwood. They broke down the right after claiming possession in what was a debatable foul on Dave (thankyou to Mr Cashmore Sr for refereeing by the way), getting to the by line the winger pulled it back for a Verwood striker to side foot it home through a sea of Loco legs.

As the half ebbed away and Loco determined to get back into the fixture a sweeping move broke down the left. Dave fought to hold up the ball only to thread it through to a marauding Chris Hopkins who expertly shrugged off the defender to thrash it, side footed past the ‘keeper, a ferocious solo celebration followed only for the Linesman to gun the excited Polish migrant down as he held his flag aloft …a debatable offside!

Half time: Ferndown Locomotive 0 -1 AFC Verwood

A half time Cashmore pep talk (minus the cotton mouth) fuelled Loco for a sun drenched second half. The dominance wasn’t to be continued however as Verwood started to gain possession and monopolise the creative movement restricting the Loco wing backs influence on the game. The defensive threesome valiantly kept Verwood at bay with Robinsons last minute toe-ins, Jimmy putting his head to use and Neil distributing for rare Loco attacks. The game was to descend into hand-bags, with late tackles, blue language, shirt pulling and angry looks (‘he wants to punch me ref’ quote Eaton) keeping the ref on his toes.

The half continued as the best Loco moves came through eventual MOM Jims excellent distribution often ending in set pieces, which Jacko and Jim were unlucky not to convert. This pressure did pay off in the end with Jacko deftly striding past the left back, pulling it back to a tumbling Dave who beat two players to sweep the ball in. 1-1!

As tempers flared Verwood fed of the bad vibes and responded by stretching the play to the flanks, and by keeping possession and playing football in our half, an inevitable winner was in the air. Minutes later the sustained pressure told and the black and yellow of Verwood stroked the ball home. During the move Skipper Matty ‘Sugar Ray’ Robinson (quote Gricey) was blinded by the red mist in an in-box incident governed only by Queensbury rules, this was to cement his post-match Gimp award. 2-1 Verwood.

The game was nearing a conclusion, giving a chance for Cashmore to make history by introducing Loco’s youngest senior player, the Chairmans son Scott….. for the last 20 minutes, aged 15 years and 50 weeks who came in for Hopkins at wing back.

The game ended with a Loco defeat, however with huge encouragement coming from some solid defending, sweeping thrusts forward and neat passing, time to draw a line under it and stride on proudly….we can’t be too far off boys!!! Chin up hey!!

Final Score: Ferndown Locomotive 1-2 AFC Verwood

A big thank you must go out to Jonny Haines for writing this match report, you did us proud Jonny.

Falcons swoop to claim cup shock

After comprehensively dispatching of Boscombe Celtic in the previous round, Ferndown Locomotive were up against Falcons on Sunday - a new side in Sunday league football who were in a lower division, and who are looking to be moving up the diviional tables as quick as they can.

The game started with trusty Kris Legg in goal, and a defensive four of Matthew Webb, Big Jim, Mat Robinson and Neil Dall.  In midfield we had Sam, Andy, Dave, and Keith; leaving Jonny and James to lead the line.  Ali and Jimmy were named substitutes.

From the off, it was clear that the Falcons were going to be a difficult team to play.  Although the standard of football wasn’t great (from both sides), the communication between the away team was much better than that of the Ferndown massive…  indeed, the Falcons carved out a number of early opportunities, however the awareness of Kris, mixed with the persistance of the Loco defence, meant that things were pretty much water tight.

Ferndown didn’t really fashion many first half chances.  Andy had a lot of the ball down the right flank, and together with the centre-midfield two, he was combining well with them and Jonny - however, despite the dominance on this side of the pitch, we rarely got a shot on goal!

Falcons meanwhile were pretty strong, were chasing the ball down, and were shamefully winning a large percentage of headers in the middle of the park - and this was probably our downfall - they were first to the first and second ball, and this gave them license to pick out some pretty crisp passes to their strikers, who had chances, but just didn’t convert.

Half-time: Ferndown Locomotive 0 - 0 Falcons

Just after half time Sam came off and was replaced by Ali, and soon after Jimmy Redford came on for Matt Webb.  The game continued in a similar vein to the frist half, with a lot of action in the middle third of the pitch, but no real outcome!

We had a few chances, with Jonny and James looking to penetrate, but the eventual goal came from the other team - and it occured on 60 minutes, when their striker nipped in to notch the first goal of the game, much to the despair of the eleven players on the pitch wearing red and black.

Indeed, if you speak to a Falcons player, you may have well thought there were twelve home players at King George, as often, they seemed to question the abilities of the ref, and this was only compunded on 75 minutes, when Loco were awarded a penalty when Jonny Haines was felled in the box and rolled to the floor like a sack of excrement.

Given his sptirelyness, you’d have thought that the young lad would have got up to slot it home, but it was actually Jimmy Redford who opted to step forward for the kick - and he powered it home down the middle of the goal in no uncertain terms, and Loco were back in the game at 1-1.

So with the game nicely poised, and surely a potential winner on the cards, which way would it fall?  Well, to cut a lon story short, it was Falcons who got it.  A great move by the midfield enabled their nippy winger to get a bit of space on the right, and he managed to feed through a nice sqare pass to his team-mate, who could do nothing but caress the ball home into an empty goal.

With 3 minutes to go there was a brief showing of some “Cash Leg”, as he took of his kit to give the team a boost in the final stags - however, even this didn’t materialise, as the whistle blew, and Loco found themselves dumped out of the cup by lower league opposition for the first time in a very very long while.

Final Score: Ferndown Locomotive 1 - 2 Falcons

Haines completes Boscombe battering

Back in the day I used to run a website called Boscombe on the Web, which was a webzine dedicated to AFC Bournemouth - and I used the “Boscombe battered” headline on more than a few occasions, therefore it is refreshing to writing the headline in a more positive manner this Monday morning - as it was Locomotive that enjoyed the spoils at Wingfields on Sunday, it a fantastic win over fellow league side Boscombe Celtic.

Phew, that was a long senence.  Anyway, the Wingfields venue holds quite a few fond memories for the Loco boys.  I myself can remember playing there in days of Rob Frank and Sean Barker, and some bloke (who was totally arse) called Gary Piper scored a well flukey goal that went down in Loco folklore.  Then we played JP Morgan in a cup game, where was played fantastic football, and won by about 6 goals.  So what would today hold?

Well, it was a good day for the team in Red and Black.  The team comprised of Kris in goal, a defence of Neil Dall, Mat Robinson, and Dean Grice.  In midfield was Andy Smith, Ali Carmichael, Kirk Eaton, Sam Davis, and Keith Jackson, leaving Jonny Haines up front with James Clease.  Matt Webb was a willing (and late) substitute, as was Paul Cashmore.

Ferndown Loco didn’t take long to get out of the blocks, and we witness a plethora of goals in the opening stages of the game.  James Clease, Kirk Eaton, and Keith Jackson all got in on the act within the first twenty minutes - with some superb build up play helping to manufacture three fantastic goals.

The first came from Keith Jackson, who, after a good bit of Loco pressure, managed to find himelf in the box with the ball, turn, and then fire the ball into the corner of the net to make it 1-0 - an assured finish.

Next, on 12 minutes, it was Kirk’s turn.  In a similar position to Keith, the loaded midfielder who is single handedly responsible for what the UK is currently calling the “Credit Crunch”,  managed to get a bit of space and poke home  shot into the left side of the net to make it two.

And we weren’t finished there - Ferndown had some good midfield play which put the frighteners up Boscombe so much so that they conceded a corner.  The corner was taken by Jonny, clear, but then distributed back to him by Sam - and Jonny then put in what can only be called a sublime cross, and it was met by a leaping James Clease, who scissor kicked the ball home into the top left hand corner of the goal from about 20 yards!  Only a genius can do that.. and that genius my friends, is James Clease.

So at 3-0 we’re thinking “life is good”!  Not so…. The last ten minutes saw Loco take their foot right off the gas, and we let Celtic score quite a weak goal.  A terrible goal to concede.

Half-time: Boscombe Celtic 1- 3 Ferndown Locomotive

The second half started as the first half finished - Loco were poor. We were giving the ball away, rushing things too much, our pases completed percentage must hve been about zero, and we were only helping to stir a bit of confidence with the Boscombe contingent.

On 56 minutes, we conceded a second - a sublime strike from distance which Kris could do nothing about.  An amazing finish from a midfielder who seemed shocked himelf that he had hit the target from that range!

The confidence in the Boscombe side was high, so it took a bit of mettle from the Loco boys in order to get this result sorted, and it was Jonny Haines who did that - with a couple of well taken goals, the most memorable of which saw him round the keeper and slot home from an acute angle after a superb through ball from Paul Cashmore.  Well done Jonny.

With the three-goal cushion restored, Loco began to relax a bit, but we relaxed in a way where we were comfortable with our touch, and we were not scared to pass it and hold the ball up.

The final whistle went on 93 minutes, and although it was a well deserved victory from us, it also was slightly worrying given our dodgy spell either side of the half.  That said, when we did play well, we were awesome, and that was a testament to the dedication of each and every player that was out on the pitch.  Well done Loco.

Final Score: Boscombe Celtic 2- Ferndown Locomotive

Bransgore score five as Loco capitulate

Ferndowns finest football team played the only team in the village on Sunday, as we travelled to Bransgore for our first game of the season.  Bransgore are a good side, and they successfully drubbed up by a number of goals last season, so we were certainly hoping that the same would not happen again this week on a very sunny Sunday at Bransgore Rec.

The game began with Kris Legg in goal - Mat Robinson, Neil, Chris Hopkins and Jimmy at the back.  In midfield was Dave, Big Jim, Dan Carr, and Kyle - and this put Jonny and Ali up front.  Andy and Mellor Eaton were on the bench.

Loco were in control for long periods of the opening stages of the game at Bransgore, and really didn’t  look like conceding - however in the same breath, you could also say that we didn’t look like scoring either.  Although Kyle’s pace was going to worry the village defenders, he simply didn’t have a look in, as the Bransgore boys marked him out of the game.

Apart from long balls up the penalty area, attacks from the Ferndown side ere few and far between - and it was worrying when the home sdie eventually took the lead, as for a while, it was looking like we were not going to get back into the game.  Indeed the goal for Bransgore came after a bit of a defensive lapse, and as the ball rolled into the back of the net, the frustration and concern on the Loco faces was evident.

However, we did rally, and some good touches, specially at the back from Neil, meant distrubtion was excellent.  The defender, who has been a rock for us, was superb in hitting the channels, and most of his invovlement in the half helped the side to crve out chances, with Jonny looking meancing on a number of occsions.  But, it was not to be and the half time whistle blew with Loco 1-0 down.

Half time: AFC Bransgore 1 - 0 Ferndown Locomotive

So, either Loco really, or we capitulate.  Legend would suggest that it would be the latter… however it wasn’t, it was the former (well, until 80 minutes anyway).

For large parts of the second half we were resolute, and Bransgore didn’t look like scoring.  Mat, Neil, Chris and Jimmy were strong, and the Loco midfield worked tirelessly in order to keep them from doing too much work. At the other end of the pitch, Kyle looked as though he might be able to forge out some chances on more than one occasion, however the London young gun just didn’t have his shooting boots on.

It was almost as if Bransgoe took some inspiration from our lack of joy in front of goal, as they started going goal crazy towards the end of the game, scoring four in the space of ten terrible minutes.  It was not the way we wanted to finish the game, but it all started when a speculative cross somehow found its way into the net.  Once that goal went in, we knew there was Bob Hope or no hope.. and Bob Hope is dead.

There were some well taken gols in amongst the final stages of the game, and although subs Andy and Kirk came on to try to mix things up, their involvement was all too late - and the final whistle blew, with Loco’s goal difference suffering to the tune of five.

Final Score: AFC Bransgore 5 - 0 Ferndown Locomotive

Loco go out to Division One New Star

Ferndown was the venue on Sunday as Locomotive played New Star in the second round of the In-Excess Cup at King George.  New Star were a Division One side, and they have been a very good Premier League outfit in the past, so it was always going to be an interesting match, as it was to give manager Paul Cashmore a good indication on how the team is doing as a whole.

Loco’s team started with the amazing deputee Dan Carr in goal.  Our defence consisted of Neil Dall, Mat Robinson, Chris Hopkins, and Jimmy Redford.  In midfield Loco sported Sam Davis, Dave, Kyle, and Wacko Jacko.  This left a striking partnershp of James Clease and Rik Watkins.  Up front was a strong bench of Andy, Ali, Jonny.

Playing a Division One team was always going to be tough, but Loco were up to the challenge from the off, some some excellent passing play and some equally strong tackles.  New Star were a strong side with a lot of good platers, but every chance they got was stunted by a very willing back four - Jimmy particularly impressing.

Loco took the lead in this fixture, with Rik Watkins being the goal scorer, after 20 minutes - a sweet finish from close range - a deserving lead for the Division Three side.

Loco sat back on this lead a bit, and although we gained the odd bit of possession, the oncoming waves of pressure from our opponents was at time overwhelming - Dan in goal was really sturdy, and he was pulling some excellent saves out of the bag, and was doing well to keep Loco’s lead intact.

Despite his solidness, the New Star side did manage to claw back an equaliser on 40 minutes, as a vicious shot came in, and although Dan did well to aprry the ball, their nippy striker came in and finished it from close range to make it 1-1.

Half time: Ferndown Locomotive 1 - 1 New Star Reserves

In the second half, all three Loco subs were utilised - and each had a good effect on the game, with Ali particularly doing well on the left flank, replacing Sam.  He managed to send over a couple of decent crosses during the second 45 mintue period, however ultimately, they did not result in anything for the home side.

Other chances evolved for Hainsey and Watkins as the game progressed, but as New Star held on, it seemed they had something left in their locker - and they certainly pulled it out of the bag on 75 minutes, when they managed to take the lead to make it 2-1.

So with ten minutes to go Ferndown were pressing the New Star goal like crazy, aiming to get that goal that would take the tie into extra time, however it simply didn’t come.  Although the wind and the momentum was with the team in red and black, the number of minutes on the clock didn’t look favourable - and before we knew it, the ref blew the full time whistle and Loco were unceremoniously dumped out of the cup, much to the disappointment of all the players and touchline supporters.

Still, we had some great moments in this game, and it would be hoped that this kind of form would translate into the forthcoming league games, where we really would like to make a positive start.  Unlucky Loco.

Final Score: Ferndown Locomotive 1 - 2 New Star Reserves

Clease nets four in Loco cup rout

James Clease was the Man-of-the-match on Sunday as Ferndown Locomotive ran out 7-1 winners in the Robbins Cup on Sunday against New Milton Borough.  Other goals were scored by Paul Cashmore, Matthew Webb and Chris Hopkins.

Loco started the game with Kris is goal, and a back-four of Dean Grice, Neil Dall, Matthew Webb and Chris Hopkins.  In midfield we had a line-up of Paul Cashmore and Dan Carr in the middle, with Jonny Haines on the right and Sam Davis on the left.  This left Rik Watkins and James Clease up front; with a strong bench of Luke Mellor, Andy Smith and Keith Jackson.

The match at Slades Farm started very cautiousy for Loco, however we soon got into our stride, and we made a number of decent attacks on the Division Eight side.  After about fifteen minutes, Ferndown eventually took the lead, and it came from the left side, when some good play from Chris Hopkins enabled Webby to get a hold of the ball on the left apex of the penalty area and he then unleashed a fierce right footed drive towards the far stick, and the shot took a touch but nestled nicely in the corner to make it 1-0 to Loco.

1-0 quickly became 2-0 after 20 minutes, and it came from an unlikely source, as Chris Hopkins managed to intercept a lose defensive ball, and in one movement, he nicked the ball away from the oncoming defender, took a touch, and then rasped a left footed strike into the lower corner of the net to make it 2-0 -  a great goal.

Loco saw out the half quite easily.  Although the other side had a few attacks upfield, the Loco defence were particularly staunch, with Gricey and Dall unstoppable, and Webby and Chris Hopkins combining well too on the left half.

Half-time: New Milton Borough 0 - 2 Ferndown Locomotive

In the second half Loco were more in control of the game, and that was reflected in the number of goals we scored.  We were against the wind, but this helped us do extremely well - the midfield were hugely dynamic, and we were getting a lot of success on both sides of the pitch.  We did concede one goal early on, on New Miltons only attack of the half, however we did get five goals to counter this one blip…

Four of these goals came from James Clease, and good goals they were two.  The first of them saw the big target-man reacting quickly after a shot came in which the keeper couldn’t handle - a nice side-footed finish.

Soon after Mellor and Smith were introduced, Clease was again on the scoresheet after some interesting penalty-box pinball - everyone was having a crack, Mellor, the instrumental Dan Carr, Mr Haines, and also the newly introduced Keith Jackson, but it was James who netted, as his shot cannoned off the bar and over the line.

His third was a penalty, which was won after a shot from close range was handled over the bar by the Borough defender, and Clease stepped up to stroke the ball home and complete a really good hattrick.

And his fourth again was pretty impressive, when an outswinging cross-come-shot from the left was headed in the corner of the net by a jubilant Westcountry man - who got off the ground to not only come to realisation that he not only had scored four goals.. it also was not a dream either!

Sandwiched in between this multitude of goals was another corker, this time, scored by player/manager Paul Cashmore.  It came after some good pressure on the right led to a Loco corner, and it was a delightful Jonny Haines cross which met the head of Cash at the far stick, who bulletted the ball home from close range - a cracking demonstration of heading technique if we ever needed one.

Truth be told, more goals should have came in this fixture, Mellor went close with a neat turn and shot which the keeper parried, Sam had a cross-come-shot from the left which the keeper managed to palm over, Dan had a few cracks, Keith himself got in on the action.. everyone indeed had the taste for it.

However, seven was enough, and it was a solid performance against a lowly side - things will definitely get harder, so there is most definitely no comfort zone to fall into next Sunday.

Full-time: New Milton Borough 1 - 7 Ferndown Locomotive

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