Corby White Hart Locos Reserves showed the importance of preparation this week - The home side were out early, had a decent warm up and look fired up going into the match. Wilby Reserves however, turned up a few minutes before Kick Off and came out in short groups. No togetherness and no time for a warm up. This without a doubt impacted their start, as from minute one the onslaught began from Locos. The away side were pegged back and found themselves defending deep from the off. What happened in the next 15 minutes or so would have seemed impossible given the height that Wilby Reserves had amongst them. 3 corners (2 from Vadim and 1 from Scott Brady) found the head of Dean Clark each time who was clinical to complete a 15 minute hat trick. After a such a fast, pressured start from Locos, a little complacency set in and the game became a scrappy battle with some feisty challenges flying in. Mainly from the away side who were clearly frustrated at the massive task ahead. Locos defended well as a team to keep Wilby Reserves at bay. Locos then exposed what was a clear weakness from Wilby. Yet another corner from Vadim, this time finding Steve Brydon who rise high above the backline to make it 4-0 just under 40 minutes in. 2 minutes later Colin Thow chased down a loose ball to go through on goal, but the keeper was quick off his line to dispossess Colin. The loose ball rolled to Scott Brady who made no mistake in sending a long range left footed strike into the empty goal. Great composure and accuracy with his weak foot. HT 5-0.
The second half Locos were quick off the mark to add further and final misery to Wilby Reserves. Good team play down the left hand side found Dean Clark who sent a clever pass across goal to Emilio who tapped the ball in to make it 6-0. 5 subs were then made over the next 10 minutes. On came Thomson, Tom Medhurst, Snodz, Chris and Aiden Ennis for Dean Clark, Vadim, Steve Brydon, Scott Brady and Emilio. This meant a change of position for Scott Porch who moved up to sit in the holding role of midfield. The fresh legs were introduced in hope of adding further misery to Wilby. But the game took a turn for the worst and became scrappy again. Not the subs fault, the whole team seemed to lose a little desire and found themselves defending a lot more. This was due to a little laziness and lack of communication. Thankfully nothing came of it and Locos went on to see out a comfortable 6-0 win.
A convincing first half and a slightly below par second half from Locos was displayed this week. Maybe Locos had 'too good' of a first 45 and as a result took their foot off the gas. But 3 wins out of 3 should continue to breed confidence as we travel the short distance away to Desborough and Rothwell next week who will surely be having nightmares all week after a shocking 19-1 loss this weekend.
Man of the Match this week was Dean Clark. 3 goals, an assist and a complete performance in the middle of the park. Unplayable today.
Locos will need to train hard as always next week and approach the oppostion exactly as they did this week. No game is ever an easy ride if you turn up with the wrong attitude. Desborough and Rothwell will be looking to turn around an awful run of form and Locos will need to be fully prepared.
