Stripes News

Brilliant sunshine greeted Reymersholm at the Rock, but they left with little else to cheer as Långholmen played them off the park in the first period with a very disciplined performance. The 2-0 half-time lead knocked the stuffing out of the visitors leaving the Stripes to cruise to a 3-0 home win and build some momentum into the Stockholm Cup Final.

A bright start and early goal from Wille Karlsson set the tone for the match. The model youngster enjoyed his time in a more advanced attacking role; terrorising the fragile Reymers defenders on both sides of the ball. A good dead ball delivery is often worth a goal, and when the visiting side made a hash of their clearance under pressure, the ball dropped to Wille inside the six-yard box for him to poke home.

Långholmen controlled the tempo of the game and dominated possession throughout the first half. McClelland and Thornley renewed their partnership at the back, winning the physical battle and marshalling the troops well. Phillips and Thorell both worked hard, saw a lot of the ball, and used it very well. They will be happy with the clean sheet as will nomadic keeper Danny Kelly; the Irish gent returning for a brief cameo in the sticks.

Also back in the Stripes squad was Karl Lykke Holm – another maturing young player who grew into the game as it went on; showing his strength and composure on the ball.

Långholmen’s second goal was an example of Totaal Voetball; defenders and attackers interchanging some silky one and two touch passes down the right hand-side to create an opening for Chris Allen. Fluid football from Karlsson, McClelland and O’Sullivan carved open the Reymers defence and when the ball was pulled back, the unmarked Stripes hitman drilled his shot through the keepers legs from 12 yards.

The Stripes got behind the visiting defence numerous times in the first half and were unlucky not to add to their tally. The management team would have been very happy at the break and looking for more of the same in the second period. On came Baydi and Otis for LFC, and although Reymers did start to see more of the ball they rarely threatened going forwards as the game drifted towards the inevitable conclusion.

The referee got bored and decided to spice things up a bit. He missed a number of ‘off the ball’ incidents, denied the visitors a blatant penalty for handball, ordered the stripes manager Lascelles to sit down and very nearly gave Billy Harkness a second yellow card for not wearing a bib on the subs bench. He was guilty of disrupting the game, which frustrated both sets of players.

Långholmen were not as clinical in the second half, squandering a couple of good chances to put the game safe. The decisive third goal coming with just a few minutes left to play. Lykke Holm crossed to the back post where three players were queuing up to score. O’Sullivan initially got an acrobatic volley all wrong; before bouncing up again to slash the ball into the top left bin. Sublime/Ridiculous.

A comfortable home win for the Stripes ends their local rivals run of good results. Now attention switches to the big game against Krukan on Friday night at the Damm. Always a keenly contested and physical fixture, this top of the table clash is also the final opportunity for players to stake a claim for cup final selection.

LFC Squad

Kelly (GK); Phillips (LB), Thornley (D), Mcclelland (D), Thorell (RB), Graham (CM), Karlsson (RM), Harkness © (CM), McConnell (LM), O’Sullivan (CF), Allen (CF). Subs: Lascelles, Sammba (45), Burris (45), Lykke Holm (30)

MOTM – Gary Phillips. Rolling back the years.

Ref Watch – Inconsistently fussy; not a good combination. 2/5.

Långholmen FC’s penultimate league game of the season is against FC Krukan on Friday 23^rd September (Zinkensdamm – KO 20:00)

Hope to see you there.

www.långholmenfootball.com

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Grumblings about overlapping fixtures framed the Stripes Monday night football; with the Långholmen R1 team facing a pivotal top of the table clash the 1st team squad was down to the bare bones. Not that it mattered that much really; the referee at Stadshagen ensured that the game never got out of second gear and for all the huffing and puffing it ended all square. Still good to see LFC legends Robbie Graham and Deri Thomas donning the shirts, as the average age of the first team peaked for the season. I say shirts… actually it was bibs, since the referee’s first moment of brilliance was to decide that he could not tell the difference between black and blue. So the stripes donned fluorescent bibs of the kindergarten kind…

Vasasällskapet are a team of big units. But they collapsed like a house of cards in the tackle and some of their theatricals were shameful. Apart from a long ball they don’t carry too much of a threat but they equalled a rather lackluster Stripes in the first period. Both teams created few clear cut chances, as Långholmen struggled to get a foothold in the game. Passing was hurried and sometimes forced, and when they did get behind the Vasa the final ball needed just a bit more quality.

When Wille Karlsson switched to the right wing, he immediately started to have a bit of joy; providing width and pace that troubled the rotund home defence. A couple of times he got behind them and one cross to Allen at the back post provided the best chance of the half. Allen’s header fizzing just over the bar. The 19 foot 27 stone Vasa forward then put a header against the top of the bar from a corner, but Ben had it covered.

By this time the referee had booked five or six Långholmen players for a variety of inocuous enough challenges. Any flow or rhythm to the game was completely destroyed and both sets of players were left scratching their heads. He bizarrely booked a Vasa player before the beginning of the second half too, for an unidentified misdemeanor that no one could quite understand. The game needed a goal, and Vasasällskapet delivered it from their fourth or fifth corner of the second half. A deep cross to the back post was volleyed back through a sea of legs to squeak inside the near post. Soft.

This was the kick up the ass that the Stripes needed, and from that moment on they dominated. They were much sharper all over the pitch and started to really hurt the tiring home team. Wille played a blinder on the right wing, defensive pairing of Sund and McClelland looked very solid against formidable opponents and Chris Allen was a constant threat. The ref was still whistle whistle whistle; every solid challenge was penalised and he was dishing out cards like Clinton’s so it was hugely frustrating experience for the players and fans alike.

The Stripes were chasing the game. They had their tails up, and had turned the momentum of the game firmly in their favour. After sustained pressure, a couple of half chances and good blocks by the keeper, Paul Sullivan slipped a lovely ball in to Chris Allen who took a touch before tucking the ball away on the angle. Tidy. With 15 minutes to play it felt like the Stripes could go on to win it. Sadly the ref had other ideas; Pete McConnell was given his marching orders for a second yellow (for a ball winning challenge in the opposition 18 yard box) when the linesman had actually already flagged for offside. Speechless.

Down to ten men, the stripes continued to swarm forward and Deri Thomas had the chance to seal the win when the ball broke to him inside the box. It was a sharp chance and the keeper did well to block with his legs. In the dying seconds a through ball caught the home keeper (another giant of a man) out of position, and when he collided with Thomas  in a 50:50 outside the box the ref whistled and gave the advantage to Vasa with the unguarded goal at the Stripes mercy. It was a horror show, and the Stripes did well to maintain their composure and take a point home.

Overall, disappointing to only get a draw, especially after a strong second half performance. But something to build on as Långholmen look forward to entertaining old rivals and league leaders Ekerö at home on Saturday. A result there will certainly put a shine on the season and build confidence going into the Stockholm Cup semi final on the 7th September. All to play for.

LFC Squad

Ben (GK); Ahmed (LB), Sund (D), Mcclelland (D), Karlsson (RB), Sullivan (CM), Harkness © (RM), Phillips (CM), McConnell (CM), O’Sullivan  (CF), Allen (CF). Subs: Graham (85), Thomas (60)

MOTM – Wille Karlsson; Stella performance, and the best looking player on the pitch.

Ref Watch – Ruined the game. 0/5

Långholmen FC’s next league game of the season is on Saturday 3rd September at Essinge IP against Ekerö FK – KO 14:00.

Hope to see you there.

www.långholmenfootball.com

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THIS GAME HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED AND WILL HOPEFULLY BE RE-SCHEDULED BEFORE THE WINTER KICKS IN.

This coming Saturday sees the annual football match between Stockholms two leading english speaking football clubs, Tudor Arms FC and Långholmen FC. The Trophy was kindly donated by former Långholmen player Kevin Everest and the year 2007 saw it being contested for the first time by the two clubs. Långholmen won that first encounter at Hammarbyhöjden and followed that win up by a slender 3-2 victory in 2008 to keep the trophy firmly behind the bar of the Southside pub.

Zinkensdamn Ip was the venue for the last years challenge match and a very determined Tudor put on a fine display to take the trophy for the first time.

There is a rivalry, albeit a friendly one between the clubs and Saturday is no exception. The Tudor Arms have had a fantastic season and will play their football in division 6 next season, while Långholmen will be back into division 4 after failing to secure a place in Div 3, the Stripes will be keen to end a dismal 2010 with a win.

The game itself will kick-off at Östermalms IP on Saturday 23rd of October and has a 16.00 kick off time. There is no entrance fee and there will be refreshments available.

Next Week: Season 2010 Round Up

Text by Scot James

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Things are not going as planned down Essinge way this season for Långholmen as the club now face their first relegation in the clubs history (first team). A point at least was required from last weekends match against Tyresö, unfortunately an under par performance meant the Stripes went down 2-0 and now sit under the play-off position and one point behind Mälarhöjden. At this stage Enhörna and Pannelinios are favourites to play in division 4 next year. The scenario pans out like this, Långholmen have to take maximum points from their remaining matches and along with that hope that Mälarhöjden drop at least two points from their remaining fixtures. The latter named have a much easier run in, thus making them favourites for that play- off place.

Spårvägen continue to push Konyaspor all the way and managed to pull back a two goal deficit away to bottom side Pannelinios, only two points seperate the sides. The league leaders once again slipped up against a determined Vagnhärads , Edis Ahmetovic scoring right on the final whistle and with it ensuring Konyaspor dropped another valuable two points. At the bottom Enhörna and Mälarhöjden shared the points, Mattias Larsson scoring for the reds.

Key matches this weekend see Konyaspor chase the title against Enhörna who are desperate for points and of course Långholmens game against Vagnhärads. The team from Trosa have nothing to play for but will be keen to record a better result than the one from the meeting earlier in the season between the two sides when a depleted Långholmen side battled out a 0-0 draw.

Moral is good in the Långholmen squad and according to Stripes midfielder Andrew O’Sullivan there is a real belief that they can win Saturdays match.

A good crowd is anticipated for this game and the club welcome any new faces at Essinge IP, the Långholmen support are normally quite vocal and this has helped the team in the past. Let’s hope the same kind of support can carry the black and white stripes to victory on Saturday afternoon.

LÅNGHOLMEN FC v VAGNHÄRADS SK, ESINGE IP k.o 2 pm Sat 11 Sept 2010

League table 100908

text Scot James

Photos Per Hägglund

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It couldn’t be any more exciting in the closing weeks of the 2010 season in Division 3. Rivals Mälarhöjden and Långholmen are both locked on 16 points and chasing that all important play-off place. The club in second bottom place Enhörna are only 3 points behind those two, so it looks like it will go down to the wire. Mälarhöjden are undoubtedly favourites to make that fourth bottom spot due to the fact they have an easier run in. The Stripes have to go to Tyresö this weekend and come back with a win, then they have tough games against Assyriska and title challengers Konyaspor.

A win last Saturday was imperative and the Långholmen team responded well to the pressure facing them before the match by recording a first home victory of the season. Two late goals by Colm Kenny and Sammba Sowe sealed the points.

Unbelievably Mälarhöjden went to the team who top the table and recorded a one nil win to keep their hopes of playing in this division next year very much alive. Good wins against Konyaspor , Spårvägen and Assyriska have ensured they are keeping up with Långholmen.

Many of the sides have nothing to play for and this can be of benifit to the clubs scrapping for points.

Panellinios are more or less out of the equation with 8 points to make up to play-off place and with games against second place Älvsjö, who are still in the title race and Mälarhöjden, it looks like a lost cause for the Greek flavoured side.

Enhörna against Mälarhöjden is the key match at the bottom of the table this weekend, a classic six pointer. At the top both Konyaspor and Spårvägen should see off their respective opponents.

Långholmens next home match is on Sat 11th Sept at Essinge against Vagnhärads with a 2pm kick-off.

Club info and match reports can be found at www.langholmenfootball.com

Text Scot James

League table 100901

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LÅNGHOLMEN FC (0) 2

TELLUS (0) 0

Last gasp win for hard working Stripes

Two goals in the closing minutes of this game ensured Långholmen secured their first home win of the season. Seven hundred and twenty minutes had past with football on Essinge without a victory for the Stripes, but when referee Thunman blew his whistle the Långholmen players could at last punch the air in celebration.

The omens were not good before the game as Ciaran McCormack, Stuart Lascelles and Wilhelm Sund were all missing from the starting line up. The re- shuffled side however coped admirably and were hardly threatened by a physical Tellus side.

Tellus needed to win to more or less guarantee safety in division 3 this year, the Stripes had no other alternative than to win and the eagerness to achieve this was apparent as they chased the game right to the final whistle.

The first half was not for the faint hearted, Tellus made it clear from the start that they were not going to be bossed by the home team. Ian Mack was the key man for Tellus as he was in the first match at Aspudden, his no nonsense approach and his attempt at persuading the referee to book a couple of Långholmen players didn’t go unnoticed by band of Långholmen fans and he was subjected to some lighthearted banter throughout the match.

You have to feel sorry for Chris Allen, he looks a shadow of the player he was last term and the ball is just not falling kindly for him this term, in fairness he has not really had a decent run of outfield starts this season due to the terrible goalkeeping situation his club find themselves in. The young striker had two clear cut chances in the first half, one in particular when he picked up on a pin point pass from Kenny, his final touch letting him down.

Stevie Jefferson in goal had another excellent game and is growing in confidence; his punching, collecting and distribution were all first class and he played a huge part in his teams victory.

Tempers flared up in the 37 th minute when a bit of pushing and shoving involving a few players took place near the centre circle, referee Thunman and his assistant were quick to defuse the situation in a fair manner.

Moving into the second half and the Stripes were much more dominant and even when the clock hit the 80 minute mark there was still a real belief both on and off the pitch that they could win the game. Paul Sullivan had a great effort saved by Johan Gull in goal, the Tellus stopper made 4 or 5 first class stops to keep his team in with a chance.

Långholmen had a scare on 58 minutes when Tellus beat the offside trap, the ball ended up behind Jeffersons goal, that was one of only a couple of real chances they created during the whole match.

Erik Thorell put in another fine shift and could of been the hero of the day when he collected the ball in his own half and then stormed down the flank, he then made his way into the penalty area, his shot however had no pace and Gull saved easily. Sammba Sowe replaced Allen in the second half and as always posed a threat whenever the ball got near him, he should have scored when he found himself one on one with Gull, but once again the keeper denied the Stripes.

The clock was ticking down fast and it looked like draw number 8 for Långholmen this season, that was until Sowe recieved the ball from Colm Kenny, his initial touch was poor but his strength and presence ensured he had a second bite at the cherry, turning onto the ball and slotting the ball low into the net, it was more than the hard working Stripes deserved.

Tellus were shell shocked and even more so when Kenny added a second two minutes later, Andy O’Sullivan finding the Irishman unmarked in the box to fire home from close range.

This was just what the Stripes needed and this should set them up nicely against a mid table Tyresö side next week.

Report by Scot James

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ENHÖRNA IF           2

LÅNGHOLMEN FC 3

It is very doubtful that Friluftsgården has witnessed such a veciforous away support as the Långholmen one on Saturday, the classic footballing line ”the twelfth man” really did apply for this match and when Sammba Sowe chased down a through ball and slammed into the net in the 93 minute of the game the away support exploded with joy.

This was always going to be a difficult fixture for Långholmen, bottom of the table clashes always are especially when you are missing four or five first team regulars and maybe most importantly an established goalkeeper. This week the roulette wheel stopped at Andy McClarens name and the big Northern Irish defender pulled on the number one jersey and apart from a couple of heart stopping moments he acquitted himself really well.

Långholmen despite their problems with selection this season have found two fine players in Alex Bodini and Sammba Sowe, the first is now settling into a fine midfield role, the other is fast proving to be a match saving talent.

A fine start to the match saw Långholmen play a controlled passing game and soaked up any chances Enhörna tried to create. The first chance for Långholmen fell to Deri Thomas who fired past. It was a frustrating start for the home side, who desperately needed the points in this one. On 25 minutes Jansson sent in a hard low effort from 20 yards, his effort failing to hit the target. Derri Thomas then found himself in a good position in the box and seemed to have been bundled over, referee Carlsson waved play on, Långholmen were robbed on that occassion.

Enhörna took advantage of a five minute spell when Långholmen once again lost concentration and in that period let in 2 goals. The first of these came when Sebastian Jansson managed to pick up on a loose ball and fire past McClaren om 34 minutes, this was really against the run of play.

One would have expected the Stripes to have been somewhat deflated 4 minutes later when local boy Tobias Gunduz double his sides tally when he ran onto a inch perfect through ball and fired a hard shot into the back of the net. Despite Långholmen having a fine first 30 minutes it was Enhörna that finished the stronger of the teams at the break.

The teams came back out for the second half and it was Långholmen who dominated this one completely,in previous games this season they have chased teams with too much urgency, in this game they calmed things down and picked out there moments to punish their opponents.

Alex Bodini had a fine effort saved by Olsson in goal as did Sammba Sowe moments earlier.

The first goal came soon after when Sowe got the slightest of touches with his head and the ball made it’s way into the net. This combined with a great vocal support from the away supporters stand really spurred on the Stripes.

Derri Thomas made it 2-2 with a finely placed affort after some good work by Colm Kenny, it was more than the black and white men deserved.

Enhörna tried to claw their way back into the game and came close when Andy McClaren dropped the ball onto the post on 59 minutes.

Andy O’Sullivan had a chance with ten minutes remaining then Pete McConnell had an effort cleared off the line and that was the last chance the away side had in regulation time.

The Långholmen fans were urging the referee to blow for full time and would have taken a draw gratefully, their side had other plans , Sowe picked the ball up just inside the Enhörna half and sprinted past the oncoming defender, he then kept his cool and shot low and hard past the helpless Olsson in goal and sent everyone connected with Långholmen into a frenzied state.

Långholmen Select have a match against the visiting fans of the Scotland national side at Östermalms IP on Tuesday 10th August with a kick- off time of 19.00.

Next Långholmen FC fixture : away to Älvsjö Wed 11th Aug 20.00

Next home fixture is on 14th Aug at home to Huddinge k.o 14.00 Essinge IP

Report by Scot James

Images by Per Hägglund

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The first half of the season was a very tough one for Långholmen FC. The team managed to record only one win in their opening 12 games, a victory against fellow fellow strugglers Mälarhöjden. The management team have been posed with selection problems for the best part of the first half of the season and an injury to first choice keeper Edwin Bergquist hasn’t helped matters.

Stuart Lascelles and Max Hallberg have been trying to bolster the playing staff and have a couple of additions to the current squad, they recently lost a player, however, to fellow Div 3 club Huddinge.

The focus will very much be on picking up points against against their nearest rivals at the foot of the table and aim for the play-off place, this is not a unrealistic target for Långholmen.

The club have a great opportunity to get things back on track with two very important matches in 4 days. First up are Mälarhöjden at home on Wednesday night, Mälarhöjden will prove to be very tough opponents as they come off the back of a good draw against Vagnhärads. Enhörna are the opposition on Saturday, a win over both these teams will propel Långholmen into the play-off place.

Moving into next week and the club have two games. First on Tuesday night a Långholmen Select will take on The Tartan Army Select in an international challenge match at Östermalms IP. The visiting Scots will be in town for the Sweden v Scotland friendly match at Råsunda on Wednesday. They play matches against teams in every country they visit and they should provide a good match. Långholmen are expecting a big crowd for this match and with a number of kilt bearing Scottish fans in attendance it is sure to be a noisy occasion. Jim Black of the Tartan Army said his team were very much looking forward to this match and is confident his side will claim another scalp on their travels.

On Wednesday night Långholmens first team travel to a tricky away fixture at Älvsjö, it really is a shame this match was being played at the same time as the game at Råsunda as it surely would of had a few Scottish fans in attendance to cheer on their new found friends at Långholmen.

Upcoming games

Långholmen FC v Mälarhöjdens IK at Essinge IP, Stora Essinge Wed 4th Aug k.o 8pm

Enhörna IF v Långholmen FC  at Friluftsgården, Enhörna Sat 7th Aug k.o 3pm

Långholmen FC Select v Tartan Army  FC Select Östermalms IP Tues 10th Aug k.o 7pm

League table 100802

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The first half of the season ended at the weekend with no major shocks. Konyaspor however recorded a great 3-0 victory away to league leaders Assyriska and with it propell themselvbes back to the top of the table. It really is close at the top with only three points between first and fourth place. Långholmen once again were given a footballing lesson and once again conceeded 4 goals, Spårvägen were the victorious side this time. The Stripes were missing a handfull of key players and had to rely strongly on fringe players to make up the numbers. Club legend Robbie Graham made an appearance in this game and with it wrote himself into the Långholmen history books by being the first player to play for the club in all divisions.

Carl Major scored a double as Huddinge disposed of Panellinios, the bottom of the table side have been improving of late and will be confident of climbing the table in the second part of the season. Älvsjö had no problems with Vagnhärads and move closer to the top teams.

The teams at the bottom , like Långholmen, also let in four goals. Tellus taught Enhörna a lesson thanks to a fine hat trick by Christofer Törnlund. Mälarhöjden were no match for an effective Tyresö side and finish this half of the season on 7 points.

This week sees fixtures on both Tuesday and Wednesday as we move into the second part of the seaon. Långholmen face Spårvägen again in what will be a very hard match. The Stripes will have more or less half of their first team missing, the management will be scratching their heads in trying to find a way of not conceeding goals in this one.

Summer is upon us now and that means a break of about a month before the teams will be in action again and many will take the opportunity to reload their batteries and strenghthen their squads.

Långholmen FC v Spårvägen FF @ Essing IP Tuesday 29 June at 8 pm.

more info can be found about Långholmen FC at www.langholmenfootball.com

Text Scot James

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