Lokomotiv Made to Work for Win

Two goals from in-form striker Sam Cook saw off a determined Dunbar Rovers side at McKay Park yesterday. The victory consolidating Lokomotiv in third position on the ladder.

It was a fantastic start for the home side as Cook gave Lokomotiv the lead after only 44 seconds. A perfectly weighted ball over the top by Conan McGlone was run on to by Cook, who calmly slotted the ball into the far corner.

Dunbar pressed in search of a quick reply, forcing goalkeeper Gilbert-Davies to be alert and out quickly to clean up a couple of through balls on a hard pitch that saw the ball roll quickly.

Lokomotiv Cove continued to work well on the counter, with Ben Fairfax called back for offside after being played in on goal by Matthew Quomi, despite being a good 3 metres onside.

Mark Donoghoe then headed over from a corner, rising highest but lifting his header high over the crossbar.

Sam Cook almost put Lokomotive two up, controlled a square ball before volleying a dipping shot into the top corner that was palmed away by the goalkeeper. The resulting corner saw another header hit over as Lokomotiv took advantage of Dunbar's zone defending of corners.

Domino Postiglione then played Cook in on goal, but he was called up for off-side. Convinced he was on, Cook petulantly scored the goal and was lucky not to be carded.

Lokomotiv would extend their lead early in the second half in fortuative circumstances. Cook's throw in was played back by Postiglione. His first time volleyed high cross evaded everyone to bounce into the far side of the goal for Cook's 6th goal in 6 games.

Lokomotiv was dominant now. The back four were solid and uncompromising and were dealing with Dunbar's long ball tactics well. Postiglione nearly ran straight through, but saw his effort saved by the goalkeeper.

Matthew Quomi had a long range freekick well held by the Dunbar goalkeeper as they searched for a third goal.

With 18 minutes remaining Dunbar pulled one goal back to make a tight finish to the game. Evading his marker, the Dunbar striker advanced on the goalkeeper before hitting his shot high into the roof of the net.

Cook nearly had his hat-trick, running onto a through ball before seeing his low shot beaten away by the goal-keeper.

In the dying minutes Dunbar almost snatched a draw. A bouncing ball fell to the striker to launch a volley at the top-corner that was spectacularly pushed away by Gilbert-Davies. The resulting corner was mis-judged by Gilbert-Davies, but a foul was called on the Dunbar striker.

The game ended shortly after, with Lokomotiv holding on to win the three points. The result leaves Lokomotiv in third position, maintaining a 4 point lead over Sydney University and Queens Park FC in the race for the finals position.

Squad: Gilbert-Davies; Slowey, Donoghoe, Willing, Lewis; Plaza Vega, McGlone, Quomi, Savona; Fairfax, Cook. (Subs: Postiglione, Arnold, Robertson)