Match Report

Goals scored
Graham Rix (4), Stuart Medcraft (1)

Man of the match
Graham Rix

Team
Jamie Bullock, Chris Vieceli, Richard Martin, Mark Hart, John Wilson, Graham Rix, Robert Marling, Dan Trevarthen, Paul Munyard, Stuart Medcraft, Gavin Mayo.

Subs
Martin Burton, Dean Weaving, Gary Kybert, John Orme.

Today’s game is against Ecko Whitecaps. After a loss in the cup last week it is time to get back to winning ways in the league. The message from the manager before the game was to start at a very fast tempo to try and put the home side under pressure straight away.

Landsdowne did just that with some great attacking football. They created several very good early chances. It wasn’t long before the pressure led to goals. A dangerous cross in the box was controlled by Yard who ‘deliberately’ played the ball into the path of Rix to make the score 1-0. More chances followed however, poor finishing and good goalkeeping denied more goals. It took a penalty to make the score 2-0. A good cross in from Dan T caused the Ecko centre back to foul Rix in the box. The resulting spot kick coolly slotted home to give Rix his second goal.

The away team continued to dominate. Mayo was having lots of possession down the left and Rix was beating his man at every opportunity. A great run down the right led to the third goal; Rix skipped past his man and drilled a low cross into the box. This was met by Medcraft who smashed the ball in from close distance. A great half by Landsdowne, some brilliant football gave them a commanding half time lead.

The second half began and it was clear Ecko Whitecaps were looking to get themselves back in this game. They were working harder and battling all over the pitch. Landsdowne needed to dig deep and get an early goal to kill the game off. They were still creating chances but the goalkeeper produced a string of great saves. They needed to do something a bit extra to get the goal. Mayo made a great run down the left and crossed the ball early to Yard. As Yard lined up to shoot their must have been a gust of wind as the ball seemed to miss his boot, luckily it fell to Rix who turned and grabbed his hat trick to make the score 4-0.

Ecko continued to work hard and credit to them they kept pushing Landsdowne. A counter attack from a Landsdowne corner led to a consolation goal. With only minutes left it had to be too little too late. A free kick moments later from Dan T almost put the result beyond doubt. However the bar came to the rescue but with a bit of luck the ball fell straight to Graham who headed the ball into an almost empty net. Final score was 5-1. A great game, performance and result for Landsdowne; two wins from two in the league. A statement from the games ref describes the action:

Very enjoyable game from a Ref's point of view, two sides intent on trying to play some good football. Landsdowne are a very good side and pass the ball very well indeed and have players from all different positions on the pitch who are capable of scoring, I think they will be a very difficult team to beat this season to be honest and its good to have them back in the sceptre league again, I wouldn't be surprised for a top 3 finish and maybe a divisional final appearance.