Match Report

Landsdowne Rangers 1 3 Berry Rangers
 

Goals scored
Michael Ryan (1)

Man of the match
Chris Viecelli

Team
Richard Martin, Michael Ryan, Dean Weaving, John Wilson, Chris Viecli, Rob Marling, Danny Sarling, Dan Trevarthen, Gavin Mayo, John Orme, Tony Bush.

Subs
Martin Burton, Lee Smith, Nick Wallace

Where to Start........

Landsdowne Vs Berry Rangers - League Cup game (1st round)

We didn’t know what to expect from the opposition Sunday as they are a few leagues below ours but, as always, they were a much better side than the league they had just won and played in should suggest. Generally though, it seemed a fair and good game all over the park, defence worked well, midfield battled for the whole game, Tony also had some major competition up front in their central defender.............but I think he was definitely older!

The first half was a fair, good footballing game which produced little by way of clear cut chances. The only chances created in the first half were collected comfortably by Rich in goal, who looked at ease between the sticks, and throughout the game.

Half Time 0 - 0

All the action came in the second half and for the first goal we were unfortunely caught on the counter attack. We were deep in the opposition half pushing forward when a long ball over the top to the left winger caused panic amongst the defence, this forced Jonny Wilson to shuffle over to the right to cover. Just then, the winger threaded a (pretty good to be fair) ball between the defence and keeper to find the Berry Rangers on form (semi professional, he liked telling people that!) striker, who through a bit of good fortune (complete miss-kick actually) found the bottom left hand corner of the Goal 1 - 0 to Berry Rangers. We were challenging all over the park but struggling to create any clear cut chances although managed to keep possession for periods of the game.

The second goal came shortly afterwards following a pretty lucky ball from the wide right. The right winger crossed high and early towards the back post which appeared to be going over to all of us but somehow the "semi-pro superstar striker" managed to jump above the defence and keeper to poach his second for the afternoon. A good old fashioned "pinching" foul was made on Deano at the back post to gain the advantage by the striker and I hate to report that Dean’s one underarm hair which he has nurtured for many years will be no more. 2 - 0 to Berry Rangers.

With nothing to lose we were naturally forced to push forward following the second goal and started to create some good chances through open play and a number of set pieces but we couldn’t find the back of the net for all our efforts. That was until Michael must have had enough of the lack of goals! From a cleared corner on the edge of the box, he thundered a lovely (right foot I think) volley into the far side of the goal leaving the whole team and himself infact, speechless. 2 - 1.

The final blow was dealt not long after our reply. Through lots of possession and pressure being applied looking for the equaliser we were caught short on the break again following a long throw into their penalty box. The ball was quickly cleared up field leaving us caught short, which unfortunately, on this occasion, allowed them to score the final goal of the game. 3 - 1 to Berry Rangers.

For the final minutes we pushed forward again searching but failed to get the decisive second or third goal we needed. Some good things to take from the game and lastly well done Rich for going in goal again.