Match Report

Landsdowne Rangers 5 2 Outwood Common Res
 

Goals scored
G Rix (2), T Bush, G Mayo, D Sarling

Man of the match
Graham Rix

Despite heavy rain and the late pitch inspection, the match thankfully for Landsdowne went ahead. The home team keen to keep their perfect home record intact created several early chances. Unfortunately chance after chance was smashed over the bar, shot tamely wide of the goal, or headed against the crossbar. No names needed here, but Landsdowne’s key players were certainly struggling to convert the many chances being created. Graham Rix should have put the home team ahead when he was awarded a penalty after twenty minutes. Unfortunately the opposition keeper saved his penalty.

To add insult to injury, Outwood then went up the other end and took the lead. A few minutes later it was two.
The Outwood striker’s shot from twenty-five yards beat Tarrant in goal.

Was this to be the day that Landsdowne would return to the form of past years were they would argue and give up the fight? Not with this team today. Calm was evident throughout and even the mouthy fullback for the home side was strangely quiet and focused on the task. The calm and focus of the team was rewarded when Graham Rix slid a shot perfectly into the bottom corner just before the break.

At half-time the manager’s team-talk was positive, primarily based on continuing the effort shown in the first half and to keep creating the chances for the forwards; surely they would start to convert the opportunities into goals.

A few more chances after half time eventually led to Landsdowne’s equaliser. Butler’s corner drifted perfectly over the flapping hand of the Outwood keeper and landed at the feet of Tony Bush who without hesitation smashed the ball into the empty net from an inch out.

The next goal would surely decide the outcome of this game and Landsdowne remained determined to be the ones to score that vital goal. Eventually with time running out Graham Rix’s silky footwork drew another poor challenge and the second penalty of the game. Gavin Mayo stepped up to convert the penalty to give Landsdowne the lead.

As predicted the goal would be decisive and Landsdowne ensured their fourth consecutive league victory with two late goals. The first goal came from Gavin Mayo’s perfectly lofted free kick towards the back post which was calmly headed home by Graham Rix.

The second goal could well go down as one of the finest goals the club has ever seen. Clever intricate passing amongst the Lansdowne defence and midfield released Graham Rix down the wing who unselfishly laid a perfectly weighted ball into the path of Danny Sarling. The Landsdowne midfielder, whose admiration for Alan Shearer is well known, emulated the Geordie legend by smashing the ball past the despairing dive of the opposition keeper in much the same way as his hero used too.

After the game “the chosen one” commented how pleased he was that his team did not lose their heads after going two down in the first half. Pete Smart reflected that last season heads would have dropped and that his team would have eventually crumbled to a heavy defeat. Despite the number of chances missed he was pleased that his team never gave up the fight.

Keen to deflect attention away from himself as to why his forwards continue to miss so many chances he left the press conference and left striker Tony Bush to answer the questions. The veteran forward tried to explain that what the rest of us don’t understand is that when you get chances up front it is very difficult to convert them into goals. According to Bush it is acceptable to only convert one in fifteen chances. Bush continued to moan at the lack of understanding from everyone when the sound of violins drowned out his continuing justifications.

All eyes turn to next week’s game when weather permitting Landsdowne play runaway league leaders Waymade. Can four league wins become five? Only if the chances created are converted into goals. Waymade, who thrashed early season favourites Bromford Reunion 6-3 today, will be much tougher opposition than Outwood were today.

Man of the match

The form of Mr Rix has been exceptional and is without doubt one of the reasons why Landsdowne’s form has improved this season. He was unavailable for comment after the match.