Match Report

Essex Royals 5 4 Landsdowne Rangers
 

Goals scored
Tony Bush (2), Graham Rix, Dean Weaving

Man of the match
Tony Bush

Due to having another mid-life crisis Danny Sarling was not available for today's report, so today I James Braggingling will be giving you the match analysis for this weeks game.

Landsdowne travelled to Wickford for this weeks match, although still a bit disheartened from the weeks previous result they took to the field regardless hoping to prove to themselves that they are a good team and deserve to win matches. But they could do the complete opposite, and that's what they done.

The first 45 minutes was a mess, there is no other way to put it. They were under pressure from the start, although Royals could not break Landsdowne despite having several corners (that they admitted to practising in training that week!!). But they just could not turn chances into goals and were punished when Graham Rix steamed down the left and cut back to right back Dean Weaving (What the hell was he doing there!!). His first shot was blocked but he made sure with his second chance and made it one nil.

However, the joy was not long lived as Royals did not give up, and continued their pressure that had before the goal which eventually paid off as Landsdowne lost the ball in the Royals half and they countered with great pace beating the midfield and the defence and slotting home to make it one a piece.

It was gonna be tight from here on for both teams, but it was Landsdowne again who was to take the lead, Tony Bush and Gavin Mayo charged down the opposing defender and goal keeper, all collided and last man standing Tony Bush was there to slot it away. Now, could they hold on till half time??

The answer was no!! The royals striker picked up the ball and managed to trick and turn about 4,5, maybe 6 Landsdowne players, all diving in at will to let him past........2-2

Half Time

Pete Smart was not happy with his team, they had played badly and knew it as well, but this was a good sign as they had played badly, and yet scored two goals and kept it level. But a lot was still needed to be done.

Landsdowne Started well, and attacked like their life depended on it, and they got the break they needed when Perry Ives worked his way down the right, cut the ball inside for an unmarked Graham Rix who passed it into the net from six yards, 3-2.

Landsdowne had held on for most of the second half, the ref was having a laugh with the time as it seemed like he should have blown hours ago, but this was not the case and Landsdowne were left to defend a last minute corner. The Royals defender climbed the highest of every one and got the goal needed to take Landsdowne into extra time, for the second week running!!

Extra Time

Although Pete Smart had made changes in the second half, the match had already taken its toll on some of the players and Landsdowne would have to dig deep to keep themselves in the game. However, they were to be punished early as Royals again broke the Landsdowne defence and fired home from close range. The first half of extra time was close to finishing and Landsdowne was awarded a free kick on the half way line. Up stepped Dean Weaving who floated a ball onto he penalty spot for star striker Tony Bush to slot away into the bottom corner. As Dean stood there marveling at the ball he had produced for the goal the team run to celebrate with the goal scorer leaving him standing there looking like a mug (and rightly so!!). Landsdowne were back in it.

But there was more action to come before the end of this half as Royals attacked and stuck a hard shot at the Landsdowne keeper which could only be pushed away, but as it deflected off the keepers glove it spun up and looked to be going well, well over, but some how dropped into the net and in. 5-4

This was how the game finally ended, and although Landsdowne had not played near what would be seen as their best, they did fight till the end and played their hearts out. The one positive was that Brian 'The Card' Butler was to get yet another booking to his Landsdowne record, CLASS!!

Man of the Match

Tony Bush was very pleased to pick up the award, he dedicated the award to his friend Margaret down the club and said 'she is a true legend and lights up the teams life every Tuesday and Sunday with her radiance, so this is for her'.