Friday 13th April 2012
LFC vs Turkiska
This was a horror show, and not the result that the LFC faithful had turned out in good numbers to see. In conditions that can only be described as shocking, LFC played some good stuff at times, and will be haunted by the chances that slipped through their fingers. Turkiska offered very little over the course of the 90 minutes but were rewarded for their efforts by snatching the points in devilish fashion.
The game kicked off in sheet rain and icy wind making tough going for the players and fans alike. Still the stripes started very well, dominating possession and creating a sequence of chances that kept the fans in good voice. LFC had the ball in the net twice, but both were harshly judged to be marginally offside. New signing Partridge upfront showed a relentless work rate that will no doubt make him a fans favourite during the season, and he was very unlucky with a number of opportunities. Young Zak Olsson also made a strong impression in the middle of the park, breaking up the play and keeping the stripes on the front foot.
Nil – nil at the break and it felt more like when, not if, Långholmen would find the cutting edge that was lacking in the first forty five. But during halftime the soggy snow started to fall which rather levelled things. The stripes could no longer play their incisive passing game and lost their shape in their eagerness to push for the opening goal. Turkiska took the lead on 50 minutes through a comedy of errors. Sliced crosses, ricochets and miss-hits allowed the ball to loop awkwardly into the net when the visitors to their credit found some space behind Långholmen.
Långholmen pressed on through the sludge, carving open the Turkiska defence, and threatening with almost every attack. Their endeavors were rewarded in the 72 minute with a penalty when Partridge was tripped en route to goal – Paul Sullivan calmly sending the keeper the wrong way from 12 yards.
With 20 minutes left, the brave (cold and wet) fans expected a black and white victory, such was the commanding grip that LFC had on the game. But again a lapse in concentration and an inability to react quickly enough to the danger let Turkiska in the back door. Allen making one good save from distance, only to be beaten on the rebound after 82 minutes.
Still there was time for LFC to equalise – and if it wasn’t for a superlative goal line clearance from under crossbar in the dying seconds, the stripes might have levelled in injury time. McDonald made an impact when he came on with some surging runs down the right hand side, but in the end it was not to be and the game ended 1-2 to Turkiska.
A first round defeat, and some lessons to be learned for the stripes; but also some positives to take forwards from individual performances. One game does not make or break a season, and we can look forward to putting things right against our old foe Skå next Saturday. Credit to the supporters for their sterling work on the sides… wonderful to hear.
LFC Squad
Allen (GK); Phillips (RB), McCormack (D), Mcclelland © (D), Thorell (LB), O’Sullivan (LM), Harkness (CM), Olsson (CM), Costa Eriksson (RF), Hentmark (CF), Partridge (CF). Subs: Sullivan (55), McDonald (70), Burris
MOTM – ??? Something for the fans to decide
Ref Watch – Not really good. 2/5.
www.långholmenfootball.com
