Match Report

Landsdowne Rangers 2 3 Rylands II
 

Goals scored
Robert Marling (1), Dan Trevarthen (1)

Man of the match
Robert Marling

Team
Jamie Bullock, Chris Vieceli, Dean Weaving, Richard Martin, Paul Munyard, Gavin Mayo, Dan Trevarthen, Robert Marling, Stuart Medcraft, Tony Bush, Graham Rix.

Subs
Lee Smith, Dariusz Syzmanski.

After a two-week break Landsdowne today faced Rylands. Last time around Landsdowne comfortably won 3-1. Could they repeat a similar performance today? It was clear from the start that Rylands were going to make today’s game a lot tougher. They had quite a lot of possession and when without the ball they were working extremely hard to get it back.

Landsdowne were having some joy down the right but were finding it difficult to deliver a good final ball. Rix fired in a good cross but it just had too much on it. Both teams were pretty much cancelling each other out, it was going to take a bit of luck to change this game… a ‘cross’ from a Rylands player completely missed the players in the box but managed to dip in to give the away side a 1-0 lead.

The home side needed to get themselves back into the game. But Rylands continued to work hard. At half time it was 1-0 to Rylands. The half time message from Smarty was to believe, continue to work hard and the goals will come. The second halve began at a fast pace. Landsdowne stayed strong at the back but now needed some magic up top. A good ball by Medcraft put Rix through down the right; he beat his man and managed to deliver a good cross. Mayo looked as if he was going to score but at full stretch just couldn’t manage to touch the ball in.

The home side were now on top but needed to get back into the game. A long throw by Vieceli managed to beat everyone in the box; at the back post Marling anticipated well and smashed the ball into the back of the net. 1-1. Landsdowne now needed to keep pushing and not allow Rylands back into the game. They couldn’t manage this for very long; a needless free kick was given away on the half way line, it was delivered deep into the box. Bullock came to punch, looked to be fouled but the ref said no. The ball fell straight to the Rylands striker, 2-1. Landsdowne could feel hard done by but now needed to wake up and come back again.

As Landsdowne pushed forward looking for a goal Rylands were having joy with the counter attack. A quick throw into the box caused panic and Martin conceded a penalty. 3-1 could be game over…. SAVED. A great save by Bullock and a lifeline for Landsdowne. Good work down the right by Marling and Rix led to a free kick in a great position. Rix looked to cross, but instead passed short to Dan T on the edge of the box, one touch and bang straight into the roof of the net, 2-2.

With about 5 minutes left both teams were now searching for the winning goal and the three points. Landsdowne pushed forward for possibly one last attack, but the ball broke for Rylands. A long ball forward fell to the away striker who controlled well and then passed across the box to put his team-mate through one on one. The ball was played agonisingly passed Bullock. Final score 3-2.

Not a bad performance by Landsdowne. A bit more luck on the day could have seen them get 3 points although a draw was probably the best result for both teams. At the end of the game every Landsdowne player was gutted… we need to take this feeling and use it for future games.