Selsdon Baptist B 3 - Laos Athletic 11

Goals: Michael Ayu Ogbe x 3; Mustafa x 3; Ende x 2; Julian x 2; Jon x 1
Assists: Mustafa x 3; Ende x 2; Julian x 2; Fish x 1; Michael Ayu Ogbe x 1


LAFC were determined this week to end their current club record breaking run of defeats, although things couldn'thave got off to a worse start; with car trouble, late arrivals, illnesses and injuries. This resulted in arriving at the ground 15 minutes before KO with one fit sub, one unfit sub and neither of the 1st two choice keepers available. Fortunately however Junior stepped up to the mark and had a great game between the sticks, a position he played a number of times last season. Also the starting 11 saw the return of Alex after gaining an ankle injury pre-season.

The game started well with LAFC's first goal coming from a goal mouth scramble in the first 10 minutes. The lead was soon extended to 2 followed by Selsdon pulling one back with a tremendous shot from outside the area into the top corner. LAFC responded straight away with another goal to restore the 2 goal lead. LAFC went on to score 4 more in the first half making the score 1-7 at half time. LAFC played some great passing football with Alex controlling the game from the centre of the pitch. It didn't though take long for LAFC to start show-boating with a back heel cross from Ende being headed into the back of the net and Julian bicycle kicking balls into the channels.

Having never scored more the 7 goals in a competitive match some supporters may have thought they were in for a boring second half. However LAFC even after words being had at half time gave into the temptation of the occasional moment of showing off with a far too many stepovers in one dribble from Mustafa!! LAFC soon netted another 3 to which Selsdon replied with 2 more. Half way through the half Michael Taylor replaced Julian and nearly scored in his first couple of minutes only to shoot wide and to be caught offside. Not to be deterred he soon had another crack and hit the post. With less than 10 minutes left Jon came on to give his knee a run out and replaced Michael Ayu Ogbe up front and he was straight into the action connecting with a cross (for his first touch of the ball) from Alex and finding the bottom right hand corner of the net only for a dubious offside to be given. With a limited number of minutes left Mustafa broke down the left wing, brought the ball into the box and played it into the mixer which Jon put away to start his tally for the season and scoring LAFC's 11th of the game. This now means that Jon has the best minutes in an attacking position to goals scored ratio in the team. Surely a statistic that speaks for itself!!

So LAFC's record breaking streak continues having recorded their longest number of straight defeats they have now recorded their best goal difference for a match and their most number of goals scored in a match. With another away game next week LAFC hope to turn this win into a winning streak.

Laos Athletic 0 – Penge Family Church 1

Unfortunately this week saw LAFC increase their record of consecutive losses increase to 3. This match was always going to be a tough game. Having beaten Penge in last season’s Mike King Trophy final LAFC knew that Penge would be out to settle the score.

With defender Dave back fully from his broken foot LAFC reverted back to the 3-5-2 that had held them in good stead for the previous season with the usual players in the usual positions. The only change being Ade replacing the injured Shaun between the sticks.

The first half saw some good football played by both teams. Both teams were solid at the back and although both teams had chances none were converted. As the players left the pitch for half time break the game was evenly poised with neither team having the upper hand.

The second half started much the same way the first had finished. Chances were being created at both ends of the pitch. After 33 minutes of the second half Penge broke the deadlock. A corner kick found the head of an unmarked player in the box and the ball made its way into the back of the net. LAFC applied the pressure in response but the with tired legs due to the quality of the pitch LAFC were unable to equalise.

This result means that LAFC now drop into 4 place 3 points behind the now division leaders Penge.

Next week LAFC face Selsdon Baptist B in the Mike King Trophy. LAFC will want to win this game not only reverse there current streak but also to defend the title they won last year.

Mike King Cup 1st Round: Laos Athletic 1 - All Saints 2

In they're first competitive match All Saints beat LAFC to go through to the next round of the Mike King Cup. It was a disappointing blow for LAFC who were hoping to better last seasons semi-final achievement.

All Saints first goal came from a set piece in the first half. A free kick on the right side of the box being slotted home by unmarked All Saints player. LAFC soon equalized with an All Saints own goal. In a goal mouth scramble All Saints were unable to clear the ball from their box and one attempt saw the ball go towards the goal line. The keeper grasped the ball and pulled it back but the referee deemed that the whole ball had already crossed the line. Another defensive error gave All Saints their second. An eventful first half with All Saints having the greater share of possession.

The second half underway and LAFC came out strong dominating for long periods of time. Unfortunately though they couldn't find the back of the net although they did manage to hit the woodwork 5 or 6 times and were unlucky not to score. Although not playing well enough to deserve the win a draw would have been a deserved result.

With two straight defeats, a first for LAFC, they now need to bounce back and focus on the league for the next couple of weeks.

New Community 4 - Laos Athletic 1

Unfortunately there was no reporter at the game and hence no match report.

Message from the USA

I recieved this message last week

Hi from the land of the free and the home of the barve (according to the
national anthem), I have been checking the score since the tournament
started and I must say that I am impressed (but not surprised) to see that
you guys have won three games out of three.

Keep it up LAOS and make me proud!

God bless you all

Seba

Laos Athletic 3 - Kings Church Catford 0

Following last weeks clean sheet LAFC kept the same back four with the Richard playing the holding midfield role. Fish joined Mustafa again in midfield following his non-availability last week. The forward line started unchanged now for 3 consecutive matches.

Unfortunately KCC were unable to field a full team and played the match with only 9 men. Right from the KO LAFC took advantage of the extra men with Michael scoring on 57 seconds. Soon Ende increased the lead to 2 and a second by Michael took the tally to three at half time.

The second half saw LAFC relax perhaps a little to much being 3-0 up and playing against 9 men. Although they didn't concede their lack of drive and motivation had reduced. This gave KCC more of the ball than they really deserved. This wasn't a classic LAFC performance and one that they'll quickly forget, but on a positive note 3 points, clean sheet and back to the top of the table.