The wait was finally over after a long gruelling pre season (along with a match cancellation the week before)
Locos made the journey to Great Doddington to kick off their season. The problems however occurred before we had even left Corby with 3 players pulling out leaving the squad slightly tarnished. Nevertheless the lads that made the trip were in good spirits and confident going into the game.
Unfortunately this was short lived as Locos made a poor start to the game and were on the back foot from the off. The lads were rushing their football and no player had the confidence to get the ball down and play. It was like watching a team of strangers during the opening period of the game. 10 minutes in Locos were denied a stone wall Penalty after a Doddington player handled the ball in his own area, the ref somehow thought it was a Locos player that handled it and awarded Doddington a free kick. Several players swarmed the ref and whilst this was going on, Doddington quickly took the free kick and played a through ball to their striker who sent a decent lob from the edge of the area into the back of the net. 1-0 to the Home team. This slightly woke Locos up and we began to attack the Doddington backline whenever we had the chance, but we lacked the killer blow to equalise. A change was then made due to Injury. Macca came on for Andy Fulton who had a hamstring problem. The persistent attacking was finally rewarded in the 25th minute. Chris Chalmers sent a nice shot at goal from a free kick, the keeper parried it and Gareth McBlain made an experienced run into the box and tapped the ball in to make it 1-1. The rest of the half seen Locos creating the better chances but falling short in front of goal. Colin Thow constantly pestered the backline but couldn't find the net on a few occasions. HT 1-1.
Second Half began and Locos took the lead within a few minutes. A nice string of passes led to Chris Chalmers out on the left flank who left his marker for dead with a superb bit of skill, he then sent a deadly cross to the back post to Macca who was waiting to tap the ball in. 1-2. The game then opened up a lot more with Doddington making the most of some Locos mistakes and creating a few half chances for themselves. Fortunately a stubborn Locos backline prevented them from making it 2-2. The last 25 minutes was one way traffic in Locos' favour. Doddington had visibly ran out of steam and Locos upped a gear to see the game out. A third goal was added from Collin Thow in the 75th minute after some hard work from Macca down the right flank, who then put it on a plate for Colin to finally get on the score sheet. The Locos fourth goal came 7 minutes later when Sinky sent a defence splitting through ball to Macca who smashed the ball in the corner. Then the final nail was put in the Doddington coffin when Luke Heath found himself in some space. He picked the ball up 25 yards out and sent a left footed strike at goal that went through the keeper into the back of the net. Full time result 1-5.
MOM was Macca for his continuous work rate and energy that helped the team overcome a dull tie. 2 goals and an assist also. Brilliant performance.
Not the greatest of games and certainly not the greatest performance Locos had to offer. However 3 points on the road is always a plus. A 1-5 scoreline despite not playing well can only be seen as a positive. We will face tougher tests ahead no doubt about that, so it's important we continue to work hard so we are prepared for all the challenges that await.
Special thanks to Doddington for their hospitality after the game. They have a great little clubhouse just down from their pitch and I urge any team that plays them to stop for a drink before they head off home.
Next up for Locos is a match against Trades and Labour who are in good form having won their opening two games.
Roll on next week.
