Loko giant killers silence Wanderers

After Saturdays performance in the sweltering heat Loko did not give themselves much time or chance to regroup having drawn a State League team in the McDonald's cup, surely this game came too soon.

The game started out as a frantic affair with Loko getting to grips with the speed and movement of the opposition who were well drilled and began to take advantage of the large playing area that is Fraser Park. The back line were asked a couple of questions early but Benny and the Bearded Hobbit were well up for the task in the middle with Matty finding his man quite one dimensional and Hernandez feeling at home listening to dramatic spanish speaking extroverts whinge and moan.

Loko went one up inside the first 15mins through some great work by Nick Keys who released Joel down the left wing who picked out the keeper just off his line and finished with precision that even Stephen Hawkins would stand up and applaud.

The game restarted and Loko began to impose their brand of football on the opposition who found their direct style of play and willingness to release the dangerous 3 pronged attack difficult to contain. Within 5 mins the opposition were back on level terms. A rash tackle from the angry Irishman saw a deflected free kick put them back on level terms.

From here the remainder of the half was a tight affair with both teams having their share of possession but the oppositions defence looking increasingly shakey due to the constant pressure from Jon who chased down their defenders every time. Fraser continued to pillage and plunder down the right but the opposing back 4 somehow managed to keep his persistent efforts at bay. Reese proved vital to linking up the attack to midfield but all efforts before the close of the half proved fruitless.

The second half started well for Loko with a number of attacks down both flanks however none bore fruit but made the opposition realise that they were in a game that would test their nerve and commitment.

David T replaced the crocked Irishman after 15 mins and immediately his calmness on the ball and incisive runs gave the opposition a lot to think about. Shortly afterwards Hernandez followed the same suit as Dowdall and came off with a groin strain and was replaced by Nick 2. Despite to changes Loko kept in their stride and continued to test the opposing back 4 who were looking increasingly shakey with Fraser and Joel on either flank becoming increasingly more threatening.

Another couple of changes from Loko saw Nick 3 and Andy come into the fold. Nick 2 slotted into the middle with David and Nick 3 into right full. All switches proved instrumental in the overall outcome of the game with Nick 2 remaining cool under pressure in the middle and Nick 3 showing the composure of a young Gary Neville by thwarting the efforts of their No. 17 who for his best efforts could not get past.

Andy added a new dimension to the front line and when the opportunity arose he ran at their defence with the speed of a scalded rat. The game finished 1-1 after 90 mins and with Nick Keys and Tappin already having together ran the combined distance of the Syndey Marathon it was difficult to know if Loko had enough in reserve to remain in the tie.

Extra time started quite cagey with neither side dominating up until around the 12th minute when a cross from the right almost met Joel rushing in at the back, the defender though stuck his hand in the air and stopped and almost certain goal. Yet again though the Referee who proved to be about as useful as a chocolate teapot only brandished a yellow card to the defender for his efforts. Up stepped Jon who finished cooly to the keepers left and put Loko deservedly ahead in the tie just before the end of the first period.

The second period of extra time saw the opposition attempt to get back on level terms but with the efforts of the back Benny & Co, they only managed a handful of chances which when tested Giuseppe found that he was more than capable of keeping the net as empty as a nun knickers. With the increasing pressure on our defence in the closing stages gaps started to show at the back of the opposition, then after some smart play Nick 2 found Jon with an exquisite ball which Jon clearly closed his eyes and hoped for the best with to make it 3-1 on the day and left Loko home & hosed.

Jon Tappin picked up the MOM award but special mentions went to Josh, Nick, Pepe & David. However Nick and Coates were more concerned about emphasising it was the squad of players that won the game for Loko today together with the support of the Loko faithful who braved the trip to Fraser Park on a dull Wednesday evening.

An excellent result for Loko against a supposed better team. Determination, workrate and teamwork was what won out on the day and showed that there is a lot more to come from the boys in blue this year.