Match Report

Goals scored
Graham Rix (2), Tony Bush (1), John Orme (1) OG (1)

Man of the match
Graham Rix

Team
Jamie Bullock, Michael Ryan, Dean Weaving, John Wilson, Richard Martin, Rob Marling, Danny Sarling, Dan Trevarthen, Gavin Mayo, Graham Rix, Tony Bush.

Subs
Mark Hart, John Orme, Martin Burton, Stuart Medcraft, Dariusz Szymanski.

Semi Final time was the talk of the day, as Disaranno Rovers rolled up to the ground that is Holy “Holy Cross”.

Last time these sides met saw Disaranno teach Landsdowne a footballing lesson with an 8 – 4 malling at a sunny day out at Trenders Avenue. However with Landsdowne smashing Disaranno 5 – 1 at the previous encounter at home, made this tie nicely poised at 9 – 9. Was this the mouth watering tie that the Sun and the Daily Telegraph had built it up to be? The crowd sure thought so as they turned up in there 2’s to watch the spectacular event. Danny Sarling’s dad even braved the weather to maybe, just maybe finally see Landsdowne reach their first cup final in their 19th Season.

The game started at a frantic pace, with Disaranno having the earliest chance, a good move saw their striker one-on-one with the Landsdowne keeper, Jamie spreading himself, (like Gavin in the shower) did just enough to make the Disaranno striker thunder his shot against the post and return into the field of play.

Maybe this was the wake up call needed? As Landsdowne upped their game for the remaining 42 minutes of the half. A lofted ball in from the gangly Dan T saw a trade mark Tony Bush header loop over the stranded keeper and into the back of the net! DELIGHT!! 1 – 0.

Landsdowne took advantage of the way Disaranno licked their wounds rather than come out fighting, Dan T was running his full back ragged, and it wasn’t long before the big guy did some damage again. Another whipped ball in by Dan T saw Graham pressure the Disaranno’s defender and as they both went for the ball, the defender turned it into his own net. 2 – 0 and surely a gap was opening now (like Gavin in the shower).

2 – 0 was suddenly 3 – 0 as good link up play saw Graham wide right in the box, crashing a shot towards the goal, either the shot was too powerful, or the goalkeepers hands suddenly turned very very limp (like Gavin in the shower). As the shot could only be palmed into the net by the diving keeper. 3 – 0.

An old fashioned “ball over the top” by Graham sent Gavin sprinting into the box with only the keeper to beat when the defender behind him sent him crashing to the ground. PENALTY! With a knock from the tackle, and still carrying an old injury, Gav lovingly passed the ball over to Graham. Up stepped Graham, the keeper dived the same way the ball was sent and saved the penalty, but he couldn’t hold onto the ball, (like Gavin in the shower) which gave Graham a second bite at the cherry and slammed the ball home, putting Landsdowne 4-0 up. A convincing lead at the break that the home side more than deserved.

The 2nd half was always going to be a non-event no matter how much Landsdowne tried to keep focussed and play at the high tempo again. Disaranno played better second half, clawing 2 goals back, and with a terribly missed penalty sandwiched between their two goals wasn’t enough as the damage had been done in the first half.

Landsdowne managed to put the icing on the cake with 2 minutes remaining. Jonny Orme graced the Holy Cross pitch in the second half as a substitute found himself in all sorts of room on the left side of the box, the ball was thread through by Graham and The Orme so delicately placed the ball into the bottom corner, under the diving keeper. Dan T thought about snatching the goal, but thought better of it and let the special needs child “Orme” have his moment of glory.

Having now despatched Disarrano out of the cup, the attention of Landsdowne’s season now focuses on Tuesday 4th May, with the Division 4 League Cup against Parkside. A season which started with so much promise and potential can actually be fulfilled in one single match under the floodlights that would bring joy to the hearts of all attached to Landsdown