Stripes News

Arthur Ashe once said that true heroism is remarkably sober. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others, at whatever cost. This sentiment more than most captures the essence of Långholmen FC spirit. Against all the odds, on the foreign fields of Åkersberga, this spirit came alive, and dramatically defeated champions IFK Österåker 1-2 in the first round of the 2012 Stockholm Cup.

The long drive out to cow country was spent huddled around Wales’ agonising defeat to France in the RWC semi-final. The twelve players pulling on the stripes for the afternoon vowed to show the same brave commitment against a supremely confident Österåker side – a team that will strut about in division 3 next season after running away with the Div 4 North title.

Many commentators had already written off the Stripes; a number of last minute withdrawals and the absence key players gave the 1^st XI a rather unfamiliar look. This gave a welcome opportunity to the title winning LFC Reserve team to step up and prove their credentials at the higher level – an opportunity grasped with both hands (and feet).

Defensive discipline was the name of the game for LFC, Manager Stuart Lascelles rolled back the years with a cultured performance at the heart of a 4:5:1 formation. But truth be told, the first 20 minutes of the game were by far the worst for Långholmen; overzealous and thus stretched by the slow-slow-quick passing game of their slimy opponents.

Österåker threatened, and eventually broke the deadlock after fifteen minutes with a textbook move executed with consummate precision. The spritely #7 latched onto a ball inside the fullback, and his pinpoint cross was deflected in at the near post. A shaky start and the travelling fans (one man and his son) could have been forgiven for thinking that this was going to be a long old afternoon.

But some frank words, and astute tactical management steadied the ship. The Stripes were happy to concede possession and defend deep, which confused their young adversaries into over playing. As stalwart Robbie Graham summed up afterwards “they were more interested in looking good, than playing football”.

The Stripes got a grip and started to put their foot in – this was a physical game; not only was it knockout cup football, but also because of the history between the teams from 2009. The ‘Alain Rolland’ reached for his pocket on numerous occasions in a feisty twenty-minute spell, booking four Stripes for colourful language, one for shoving and another for a leading elbow. But there was a sniff of something positive to take from the half. Leo was running the show on the left, Andy Mac had started to force himself on the game and you just know that Oscar always has a goal in him.

Trudging off at halftime, heated conversations with the ref suggested that Långholmen were less than happy with the official’s handling of the game. Truth be told, LFC needed to find another gear if they were going to be playing in the Stockholm cup next year.

The Stripes emerged unrecognisable from the first period. Their shape was perfectly balanced; disciplined in defence and potent on the counter attack. With only 35% possession they frustrated their opponents by working incredibly hard as a unit, closing down tirelessly, not giving their six-fingered foe any space to play at the business end of the pitch. Credit to the whole squad – everyone played their part. At one-nil you always believe you’ve got a chance, this was the time for big hearts, and nobody went missing – to a man the Långholmen team fronted up.

The pivotal moment arrived farcically on 60 minutes; O’Sullivan pounced on a loose ball in midfield, played a one-two with Ludde on the edge of the box and collapsed under a clumsy challenge. He thought it was a penalty. So did everyone else, except the ref who waved play on. Bizarrely one of the home defenders assumed a stoppage in play and calmly picked the ball up, conceding one of the most absurd handball penalties in history. After all that excitement O’Sullivan stepped up and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot. 1:1.

LFC pin-up Chris Allen deserves a special mention for a highly accomplished display in goal. His all round performance oozed confidence, which spread to the defensive unit in front of him. Both handling and kicking was immaculate and he made a string of difficult saves look easy. The pick of the bunch being a diving one-handed reaction save that was reminiscent of Gordon Banks in the 1970 world cup against Pele. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvqwhDUhkPA. This was followed by a comical red-faced rant at his faceless defenders and much clapping/spitting into gloves. Quality.

The stripes were inevitably reduced to 10 men with fifteen minutes to go. Ludde Johnson picking up a soft second yellow for blocking a quick free kick. Mcclelland also departed with a calf injury as the LFC patched up their midfield. But LFC had a foothold and as the game edged away it felt as if Österåker had settled for penalties.

The valiant stripes had other ideas: A lightening counter attack down the right found Vasile, his intelligent pass inside was nodded over the top by O’Sullivan to Oscar Hentmark in space, who composed himself and volleyed home at the near post to send the Stripes into ecstasy with 2 minutes remaining. Stunning.

Österåker threw everything forward in the dying seconds but the Stripes held firm. A huge cheer went up at the final whistle as Långholmen completed a memorable and hard fought victory. This might only be the first round of next season’s competition, but such was the sense of elation at the end it felt like LFC had just won the cup – The perfect way to round off another successful season. Onwards and upwards.

LFC Squad

Allen (GK); Phillips (LB), Luca (D), Lascelles (D), Ahmed (RB), O’Sullivan © (CM), Graham (CM), Mcclelland (CM), Leo (LF), Hentmark (CF), Ludde (RF). Subs: Vasile (75)

MOTM – Chris Allen; We called Gordon Banks after the game and he admitted that your save was better than his.

Ref Watch – Brilliant because we won. 2/5.

Hope to see you at Dave Ely’s testimonial (30^th October)

www.långholmenfootball.com

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It’s a funny old game. Skå IK entertained a threadbare Stripes squad on their beautiful grass pitch in Ekerö. This ground, out past the Royal Palace, has classic wood panelled changing rooms lined with the trophies of Skå’s past victories – and the game is traditionally a tough, physical affair against the elements and Skå’s direct style of football.

It is long ball from Skå really… or negative positive football, as we like to call it. It’s effective, but not particularly attractive. But if it works, and gets results then who are we to fault them with it. The big grass pitch and swirling wind makes them favourites at home, but on this occasion the Stripes will be kicking themselves for not taking all three points home.

Långholmen fielded a patchwork squad following injuries, suspensions and last minute absentees, and welcomed back Mattias Larsson into the fray. The little general slotted into centre back; fizzing the ball around and looking very comfortable after a few months out of the game.

Welcome also to Vasile, our new Romanian centre-back who filled the bench by himself. Manager Lascelles had to play in goal while Robbie Graham rolled back the years with a bustling performance in the Stripes engine room. Lascelles the cat had a Weston Super in the warm-up but didn’t put a foot wrong during the match.

The Stripes, playing with the wind and slope, controlled the game in the first half and deserved their lead at half-time. Chris Allen again showing all the skills that Ipswich Town are missing when he clipped a left foot peach in off the post from 20 yards.

But a one goal lead is never safe. The Skå keeper played a blinder; making a string of top reaction saves to keep his side in the game and then provided the assist for the equaliser. His long punt downfield (wind + slope) was allowed to bounce and the home striker was able to steal in behind the LFC defence.

At 1:1, the Stripes pressed hard for an equaliser. Allen and O’Sullivan both went close, but it was super-sub Vasile who grabbed the headlines. The big defender was thrown on up-front for the last ten minutes and his enthusiasm was rewarded when he latched onto a perfect cross from Otis to nod home with less than 3 minutes left on the clock.

And that should have been that. A deserved 3 points and all back to the Southside for the chips of victory. But no, the Stripes needlessly conceded an injury-time corner which was duly converted by an unmarked attacker at the back post. So, heartache for the loyal travelling fans who watch the Stripes lose a draw – but it’s not such a bad away draw really against a negative positive team that has beaten both the league leaders at this ground this season. Onwards and upwards.

LFC Squad

Lascelles (GK); Phillips (LB), Larsson (D), Mcclelland (D), Thorell (RB), Sullivan (CM), McConnell (LM), Harkness  © (RM), Graham (CM), O’Sullivan (CF), Allen (CF). Subs: Burris (75), Vasile (80)

MOTM – Erik Thorell; An old head on young shoulders.

Ref Watch At least he was consistent. 3/5.

www.långholmenfootball.com

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Make no mistake, this was a huge game for Stockholm’s biggest international football club. A win would take Långholmen FC into unchartered territory; at stake not only the privilege of playing in the Stockholm Cup Final for the first time ever but also entry to the Swedish Cup (equivalent of the FA Cup) next season. And the stripes shook off any big game nerves, to power past a spirited Syrianska IF team 2-4 in front of a big hostile crowd.

Emergency flares and the standard colloquial chants were ignited well before the match kicked off proper. The home side granted two penalties before the game to even things up; comfortably slotted home both to give them a 2-0 lead at the start.

The Stripes, playing with 3 central midfielders dominated the early exchanges, securing possession and moving the ball around quickly. Syrianska to their credit chased the ball down tirelessly in the first period, putting pressure on all facets of the game; especially limiting the quality of the Långholmen passing in the final third.

After a lot of huffing and puffing, LFC created few clear-cut chances in the first forty five and the travelling fans could have been forgiven for thinking that this might not be a night to remember. But the Stripes have been on a magic cup run this year, dumping out division 2 side Enskede en route to the semi has obviously given the team some belief and the second half display was simply too good for Syrianska to live with.

Chris Allen got the equaliser, powering a header into the net direct from a corner after 50 minutes. Allen was also instrumental in the equaliser, dancing through the defence and rounding the keeper only to be dragged down. The Syrianska keeper was harshly dismissed and Paul Sullivan notched from the spot.

Only one team was going to go on and win it from here, and when McClelland was fouled in the box moments later, the referee made his only mistake of the game when he waved away a stone wall pen. The stripes had the game by the scruff of the neck now, no amount of booing, abuse, car horns or fireworks were going to distract them.

The decisive goal came from the spot once more; O’Sullivan this time running onto a perfect through ball and nicking it away from a clumsy last ditch tackle. Cue swam dive, blatant penalty and a second yellow for the guilty party – the valiant home side were down to 9 men and staring down the barrel. Sullivan stepped up to the plate again and finished his seconds with a cultured left foot finish.

Syrianska had to come out and attack now, but they had nothing left in the tank. Chris Allen rounded off a marvellous evening for Langholem FC when he bagged a superb individual goal on the break; a mazy run across the face of the goal and a powerful drive into the corner put the game safe with ten minutes still to play.

The Stripes can now look forward a mouth-watering final against Anders Limpar’s Division 2 Team Sollentuna United FK. To be played on Wednesday 28^th September at Grimsta IP KO: 20:00.

LFC Squad

Bergquist (GK); Phillips (LB), Thornley (D), Mcclelland (D), Karlsson (RB), Sullivan (CM), McConnell (CM), Harkness  © (CM), O’Sullivan (LF), Sammba (CF), Allen (RF). Subs: Thorell (45), Ahmed, Burris (75)

MOTM – Chris Allen; Delightful.

Ref Watch – The best we’ve had all season. 5/5.

Hope to see you at the final.

www.långholmenfootball.com

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A lovely evening turned sour for the Stripes when they conceded late on in a hard fought encounter down at the Rock. A young Järla side showed good spirit throughout and deserve credit for their victory, but Långholmen will be disappointed that they let the points slip through their fingers after clawing their way back into the match.

The Stripes started well in an eventful first 20 minutes. The tempo and passing was good and Långholmen looked the more threatening side; but a long diagonal ball over the top caught the LFC defence square and the tricky right winger for Järla went through on goal. He scuffed his shot wide but Ben caught him late and the ref had little option but to point to the spot. The penalty was dispatched with ease into the bottom left to put the away side in the driving seat.

Only two minutes later and the same searching ball over the top sprung the LFC offside trap again. The same winger sprinted through on goal only for Batman to tumble through the back of him and save the day. Unfortunately it was another penalty and probably a red card, but the Argentinean referee had obviously seen much worse on the back streets of Buenos Aires and only issued a yellow. Bizarrely Järla changed their penalty taker, and this time Ben made an excellent save diving high to his right to parry the ball wide. Reminiscent of Dave Beasant’s against Ian Rush in the 1998 FA Cup Final. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgUJYQKZA0U (minus the hair).

The Stripes were under the cosh for a while after this, and did well to steady the ship. A couple of decent chances came their way with both Sammba and Allen looking dangerous on the counter. O’Sullivan had the best chance of the first half when a lovely dummy from Allen put him clean through on goal; the Järla keeper stood up well to save when the striker looked destined to score.

The half-time whistle brought some respite and LFC made a couple of tactical changes to try to turn the game around. These almost had an instant effect as the Stripes started to dominate the second half. Järla lost their rhythm and control of the centre of the park and the Stripes flooded forward in search of an equaliser.  Sammba, who had a superb game all round, was denied by a fingertip save as the pressure mounted.

The Stripes equaliser was moment of class. Luca Ohman showing great dexterity for a big man to dazzle a couple of defenders before feeding Hentmark on the edge of the box. Despite preferring his left foot, he took a touch a cracked a right foot dipper that pinged in off the underside of the bar. Phenomenal.

Långholmen were in the ascendancy after that and pushed hard for the winner, knowing that a draw would probably not be enough for them to challenge the league leaders. And the winner almost arrived from a set piece, Sullivan curling in a peach of a cross, which Allen nodded just over.

Sadly for LFC, the footballing gods were smiling on the young guns of Järla and with four minutes remaining they carved out a rare shooting chance from the edge of the box. The shot was not struck cleanly and what looked like a routine save for Ben somehow squeezed inside the near post and into the net. Tragic.

But Långholmen have been on a good run, they have managed to recapture the form and sense of belief that had been lacking the early part of the season and with some fortune and a stronger bench they might well have earned all three points again here tonight. Bigger challenges await, and who knows, the Stripes might even do Järla a favour before the end of the season.

LFC Squad

Ben (GK); Thorell (LB), Thornley (D), Mcclelland (D), Karlsson (RB), Sullivan (CM), Ohman (RM), Burris (CM), O’Sullivan © (LM), Sammba (CF), Allen (CF). Subs: Phillips (6), Hentmark (45), Graham

MOTM – Baydi Sammba Sowe; A potent combination of power and pace.

Ref Watch – Talked to the players and got the big decisions right(ish). 3/5.

Långholmen FC’s next league game of the season is on Monday 29^th August at Stadshagen IP against Vasasällskapet FK – KO 20:00.

Hope to see you there.

www.långholmenfootball.com

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Slashing rain greeted the players at the Rock; conditions that traditionally suit the British and Irish players and this game was no different. LFC dominanted from the first whistle, confirming the gulf between the teams in the league table and running out comfortable 5-2 winners against old rivals Mariebergs.

The stripes incisive movement was too much for the inexperienced Mariebergs team to cope with, and with the game being played at a high tempo it looked like LFC could score with every attack.

The first goal came from a set piece; O’Sullivan swung in a tempting corner from the left and McClelland lost his marker to chest the ball in at the near post. Nice tits. Mystic McClelland had predicted a goal in the warm up, and it was just reward for another solid game by the man from Northern Ireland. He might have even bagged another moments later when a slick move opened up a chance for him inside the box. The Mariebergs keeper stood his ground and blocked the chance.

Långholmen peppered their opponent’s goal, with both Allen and Bergström bringing fine stops from the Mariebergs #1. The unplayable Allen skipped through a couple of challenges, taking the long way around, before sliding a left footed finish back across the keeper for goal number two.

From this point onwards it was the Chrissy Allen show. His second was a thunderbolt that streaked into the postage stamp from 25 yards. The crowd, the keeper, the bench, the ref and most of Essinge were left breathless such was the stunning sweetness of his connection.

At 3-0 and cruising the stripes dropped their guard. A momentary lapse of concentration and quality free kick from the young Mariebergs star pulled one back on the stroke of half time. The beginning of the second half was scruffy and Mariebergs pulled another goal back from a set piece. The Stripes defence allowed the ball to bounce in the box and the MSK striker scuffed the ball past a wrong-footed Ben in goal.

With the game poised at 3-2 with 20 minutes to go the result was never really in doubt as the stripes put their foot back on the gas. Superior fitness and strength in depth from the bench confirmed the LFC dominance in this fixture, and two further Chris Allen goals put the icing on the cake. The first a clinical close range finish after some fine work by Luca on the left, and the second (his fourth) a superb solo run outstripping the tired defence to slot home off the post.

The stripes front man has been in threatening form since his return from injury and this performance puts down a significant marker in his quest for the golden boot. Långholmen can now turn their attentions to the teams above them in the table, starting with Järla on Wednesday night.

LFC Squad

Ben (GK); Thorell (LB), Thornley (D), Mcclelland (D), Karlsson (RB), Sullivan (CM), Leo (RM), Bergström (CM), O’Sullivan © (LM), Hentmark (CF), Allen (CF). Subs: McConnell (55), Phillips (45), Ohman, (55)

MOTM – Chris Allen; You can’t touch Chris.

Ref Watch – Very consistent from the man in black. Good performance. 4/5.

Långholmen FC’s next league game of the season is on Wednesday 24^th August at Essinge IP against Järla – KO 20:00.

Hope to see you there.

www.långholmenfootball.com

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Let’s be honest, this wasn’t pretty. But you know what they say about teams that win when they are not playing well. This was Långholmen at their gritty and resolute best; overturning a 1-0 deficit at half-time to win the battle 1-2. The Stripes squad depleted by injury and tired from 2 games already this week were looking down the barrel, but they stuck to their task and got the result that their hard work deserved.

Colonel Graham was marshalling the troops tonight and this result had his identity stamped all over it. Robust. Defiant. Hardworking and Honest. The lads deservedly pulled this one out of the fire with a display that could only be described as showing ‘real character’. If we could bottle that now infamous elixir called ‘Långholmen Spirit’ then without doubt we would all be sipping cocktails on a beach in Costa Rica; such is the quality of it’s vintage.

This was a tight and hostile match. Let’s make no mistake about it the Turkiska team are not mugs and they thoroughly enjoyed beating LFC on home soil earlier this season. Exposing the soft underbelly of a team in turmoil. But tonight they were outfought and outplayed and can have no complaints about the result, despite the tardiness of the final drama.

The first half was a scappy affair, with some meaty challenges combined with silky passing to entertain the locals. The home side took the lead after 22 minutes when a simple ball over the top caught the stripes defence square. Their bow legged winger raced onto the loose ball and clumsily lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper. 1-0.

Precision was lacking from the Stripes, who looked a little heavy legged at times after their exploits on Tuesday. Too many loose passes or heavy touches meant that the game lacked rhythm and the plum shaped Turkiska keeper did not have a save to make in the first 45. The stripes had seen enough to think that they could get a result, when a gorgeous move by Turkiska put their striker through on goal inside the box. His mishit shot rebounded off the inside of the post and across the goal line. Luckily the ball stayed out and LFC went into the dressing room only 1-0 down.

Orders were given at the break; the Stripes certainly looked hungrier in the second period as they gained the upper hand. The game became stretched, there were some unsavoury exchanges and a flurry of yellow cards as Turkiska used every trick in the book to disrupt play. Yet with 25 minutes gone in the second period the Stripes still lacked the killer ball to break down a stubborn defence.

Långholmen needed a moment of magic and it unexpectedly arrived from the left boot of Andrew O’Sullivan. Pulling down a cross from the right, and with his back to goal, he used one touch to steady himself before drilling back across the keeper and into the corner from the edge of the box. Unstoppable.

From this moment on the Stripes played with a ruthless expectancy of a team full of confidence. A smart move involving Luca, Allen and O’Sullivan put Sammba clean through moments later but he blasted over in what would be an eventful night for the youngster.

Bergström entered the fray with his signature gallop, bashing through challenges, thumping into headers, and intimidating people with his beard. He provided a foil for Harkness whose energetic defence and raking passes were causing problems for a tiring Turkiska.

There were some handbags, and the ref had his hands full dealing with both sets of players and the benches. One Turkiska player overstepped the mark with about 5 minutes to go and saw red for dissent. And unfortunately he missed the late drama that was about to unfold.

With only a couple of ticks left, Allen chased a lost cause and got behind the home defence. His collision with the keeper rebounded the ball into the path of O’Sullivan on the edge of the box. His first shot (or two) was smothered by the sprawling defenders, but he recollected the rebound inside the 6-yard box only to be chopped down. Stone wall PK.

Captain Harkness took responsibility for the penalty despite two previously unsuccessful attempts. His well placed side-foot was athletically saved high to the keepers left, and met with cheers and jeers from a relieved home crowd.

But what late drama as the resulting corner was swung in by Ohman and met powerfully by a charging Otis Burris. His first header was blocked but he made no mistake by roofing the rebound and circling off with shirt pulled over his head. Emotions running high; damn right they were.

LFC closed out the win, but an unnecessary fracas at the final whistle meant that Sammba collected a second yellow card and his marching orders. Långholmen meanwhile collected the points and can feel very content this evening nursing a 100% record since the break and a four game winning run. Buoyant.

LFC Squad

Ben (GK); Thorell (LB), Ahmed (D), Mcclelland (D), Karlsson (RB), Harkness© (CM), Goldberg (RM), Burris (CM), O’Sullivan (LM), Sammba (CF), Allen (CF). Subs: Phillips (45), Bergström (60), Ohman (45)

MOTM – Billy Harkness; Courageous shift at the heart of the team.

Ref Watch – Handled the hostilities with droid like efficiency 4/5.

Långholmen FC’s next league game of the season is on Saturday 19^th August at Essinge IP against Marieberg – KO 14:00.

Hope to see you there.

www.långholmenfootball.com

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