Steam Lokomotiv had started this season in fine form and with an unbeaten run of 4 games they were in a commanding position at the top of the table. Unfortunately for Steam a long mid-season break seemed to upset their rhythm and recent performances have been somewhat disappointing.
Steam’s ailing condition was not helped by a 3 week absence from Graham Granger who had to fly to the France to checkout a state-of-the-art 6-colour printer. His trademark left foot drag back has been sorely missed. The defence suffered a further blow losing Craig Freeman, the youngest and fittest team member, for two weeks. The management is staying tight lipped but it is understood Freeman was partying at famous Newcastle strip joined ‘Metrosexual’ until the early hours of this morning and he may well be on the bench in weeks to come to think about his attitude.
Discipline has also been lacking in other areas of the team and last week saw Skipper Nick Warry sent off after an altercation with a known Irish trouble maker from Register.com. His two week ban was overturned after the ref had, in his own words, “slept on it and decided to lift the ban due to Warry’s genuine good honest nature”.
After a rollercoaster 3 weeks Lokomotiv needed to get their season back on track and last night’s game against bottom of the league EXPW was surely the opportunity they were looking for to restore some order.
The starting line-up saw Chris Golding in nets, Tim Beer and Rob Freeman at the back and the deadly talents of Steam’s reserves in the shape of Mike Grey, Mark Woods, Andrew Knight and Adil Elaouad.
It wasn’t long before Andy Knight opened the scoring with classy link up play with Grey. The Steam boys were really enjoying themselves giving the EXPW lads a torrid time. Rob Freeman, playing better football week on week, made some killer through balls to set up goals for Grey, Knight and Woods before falling flat on his face attempting one too many stepovers!
Tim Beer also got on the score sheet with a cool finish tucked in the corner, but ‘Goal of the Day’ must go to Grey whose right foot effort was so fierce the keeper didn’t bother to move.
The Score finished 10 – 3 to Steam with goals from Grey (4), Knight (3), Woods (1), Freeman (1) and Beer (1).
Despite EXPW giving Chris Golding little to do in nets, he kept his concentration, only letting in 3 goals – not helped by his defence – and even managed a perfectly timed roll-out to set up a one-touch finish from Grey. And then his missus let him out on the town with the boys for 3 pints of beer. Great times!
Steam Lokomotiv would like to wish Tim Beer best of luck on his 100 km walk for charity next weekend. He’s been practicing walking around the football pitch all season!