After last season’s heroics in the second part of the season Långholmen FC were expected to have a middle of the table berth come the summer break. With a few new additions to the squad the Stripes went into their first fixture and first real derby match at Zinkensdamn IP.
Reymersholm were one of the fancied sides at the start of the season and with home advantage looked on paper to be favourites for this one. The Stripes were roared on by a large and very vocal away support and ran out comfortable winners by a three goal margin, goals were supplied by Colm Kenny, Chris Allen and new signing Mattias Larsson. The last named would prove to be an invaluable addition in the first half of the 2009 season.
Next up and it was the turn of Järla. This game was Långholmen’s first of the season at Essinge and they made a bright start with an early Kenny goal. The game then became a bit of a scruffy affair but once again the Stripes managed to net three times but also conceded their first of the season.
Stuvsta away followed and Långholmen’s vocal support once again witnessed a good solid second half showing making sure Långholmen had maximum points from three games. A few heads were starting to turn and Långholmen were no longer considered as relegation no hopers.
Things then took a slight turn for the worse as they lost two league games on the bounce and were also dumped out of the Stockholm Cup by a division 7 side. That cup defeat may have been a blessing because after a heavy defeat by Mariebergs and then a loss against Ekerö the Stripes went on to record 6 straight wins, scoring 19 and letting in only 5 in the process.
A comprehensive home win against Bromsten started the ball rolling, then once again it was derby time and for the second Zinkensdamn was the setting for the biggest crowd of the season so far, the combination of derby football, the club’s local pub and the match taking place on a Friday night ensured over 200 spectators were present.
An early strike by Chris Allen inside 5 minutes made the game a long and nervy one from a Långholmen perspective, but they held on and claimed another scalp. Confidence was restored and top of the table club Ängby were next to fall at Essinge in a thrilling encounter. Two of the young stars of the side, Hentmark and Karlsson, scoring late to take the points after falling behind in the game.
Boo are a big club and have a proud history, but that meant nothing when they came to Essinge, a four goal spree in as many minutes made this one fast and furious watching and with a 3-2 scoreline at the interval it could have gone either way, but a fantastic second 45 minutes once again secured the points for the home side.
The lowest crowd so far this season turned out to watch the side at Ekerö against Skå. It rained, sorry, downpoured the whole match, but Långholmen managed to overcome a heavy and bumpy pitch to win the match.
Greek inspired side Olympiacos were the last side to take on the Stripes before the break and after a sometimes heated affair, they were sent packing and took a three goal defeat with them.
It bodes well for the second part of the season, no one will be taking anything for granted though. The team have a strong squad and should be up to strength with a couple of new additions and the return of a couple of key injured players too.
The success of the club does not stop at the division four team however, the reserve teams are playing some great football and the reserve one team lead their division, reserve two have started to put togeteher some very good performances and it is shaping up to be a good second half for them.
The ladies division five team have now started gathering points and have lifted themselves off the bottom of the league and the korpen ladies and lads show a fantastic dedication when they pull on the Långholmen badge.
All the info you need can be found at Långholmen Football Clubs website
Scot James
Långholmen match reporter and supporter.
