Match Report

Goals scored
Gavin Mayo, Stuart Medcraft, Tony Bush.

Man of the match
Chris Vieceli.

Team
Ben Tarrant, Dean Weaving, Paul Munyard, Chris Vieceli, John Wilson, Graham Rix, Gavin Mayo, Rob Marling, Danny Sarling, Tony Bush, Stuart Medcraft.

Subs
Brian Butler, Martin Burton, Pete Smart.

After a last min winner last week (from a Goalkeeper) and needing at least a draw against today’s rivals West Laindon, the Landsdowne players were keen and spirits were high that they could get all three points, which would secure an automatic promotion place even if West Laindon beat Bromfords the following week. The pitch this week was the high tech all weather pitch at James Hornsby School and the sun was getting hotter by the minute, making conditions that little bit tougher to play.

The Team is quite a different line up to normal due to recent injuries and absences. Ben remains in goal after a solid form in recent weeks. Dean keeps full back position, along with Chris Vieceli continuing his domineering solid centre back position partnered by John Wilson and Farmyard, the other change saw Stu starting up front along side Bushy and Graham out on the right wing as nippy winger.

This Game was also an emotional game for the likes of Tony Bush, Danny Sarling and a few others who were only able to watch through injury, marking their last games that they will play for the Landsdowne Rangers (youthful) team. Due to the Vets Team starting up next season.

The first half kicked off with a very good looking attacking start, we were spraying the ball around well but on some occasions it was just that final ball that was just letting us down. Rob picked the ball up in midfield surged forward and laying the ball out to the wing for Graham to swing in a cross, which met the head of bushy in the box but was then to be cleared by a defending header. The Ball was then picked up again in the Midfield and was played right through to the feet of Bushy, who then played it back to Stuart who played back to rob who made great space in the midfield as the strikers pushed right in to the box, the ball was lofted over the top of the defence towards Stuart, but unfortunately didn’t come down and hit the fence behind the goal. Then the deadlock was broken by some great football starting from fine calm defending from Vieceli playing the ball down the wing to Graham who then took on two players with his pace and then slotting a ball right on to the foot of Gav who slotted it home nicely with the calm cool collected celebration of “that ones for you Tone, that ones for you”. One nil (0-1).

The second came quickly, with a ball chipped over to Tony who held the ball up well, who then laid off to Gav, quickly cutting inside with some great skill playing the ball across the park to Graham with a nice header over the remaining defender to find Stuart who cushioned it in at the goalkeepers back post. Two Nil (0-2).

The game took a turn for the worse when we conceded a sloppy goal from a long ball over the top of us, finding there winger who placed the ball past Ben, who did all he could to make him self look big by coming out of his goal quickly to shut down the attacking player. (1-2). Laindon continued to look promising until there was a high ball once again placed over the top which bounced high, there was no call for the ball so Danny played a casual header back towards goal not knowing that Ben had come to collect the ball at the same time. The ball bounced past Ben and in slow motion crossed the line to every ones despair. Just unlucky, these things do happen. Play continued for a short while then the half time whistle blows.

After an encouraging halftime talk from Pete, the team headed back out on to the field. Ten mins into the game the Sun was out at its full and players started to struggle in the heat taking on water when they could. Another great fast paced attacking piece of play sees Landsdowne earn a throw in near the corner flag, Bushy pushes on to front pace with Gav, John Lurking in the box with Stuart Hanging on the edge of the box. Vieceli throws in a nice ball straight onto Tony’s Head and into the roof of the net. 3-1. A well deserved goal and a great way for Bushy to mark his final goal for Landsdowne. Play continues with Stuart feeling the pressure of the heat and the lack of his fitness sees him subbed to make way for Brian Butler. Play Continues with it now looking pretty even as both teams are tiring. Then out of no where comes the equalizer. Totally against the run of play. More substitutions made by Pete Smart see’s Tony and Danny come off, with a big clap from all players and their friends and family on the sidelines, marking their last game. On jump Pete and Martin who replaces Tony and Danny. The games ends 3-3, and all eyes and hopes are on Bromfords beating West Laindon, to give us automatic promotion.