Match Report

Fusion 6 1 Landsdowne Rangers
 

Goals scored
Chris Vieceli.

Man of the match
Dave Rix / Rob Marling / Stuart Medcraft.

Team
Stuart Medcraft, Paul Munyard, John Wilson, Chris Vieceli, Danny Sarling, Brian Butler, Terry Bush, Rob Marling, Gavin Mayo, Tony Bush, Graham Rix.

Subs
Dave Rix, Jon Orme, Martin Burton.

After the crushing 5-0 defeat of Albion a week earlier, Landsdowne headed into the Fusion game in confident mood and looking for their fifth win in succession. Graham held the managerial reins once again in the absence of Pete Smart, while Gavin retained the Captain’s armband with Mark Harte out ill. Stuart Medcraft returned again between the sticks, apart from which Landsdowne remained unchanged.

The now ritual pre-match huddle came round unprompted this week - it seems the lads have finally seen how a cuddle and a few sweet words from Gavin have kept Graham coming back time and time again! The game started with Fusion taking some early possession in the first few minutes while Landsdowne felt their way into the game. Landsdowne took hold soon after and began to look reasonably sharp moving forward. A breakthrough was sure to follow…. Unfortunately though, it came for the home side. A fortunate bounce fell kindly to a Fusion striker who slotted home – this was to be the start of a noticeable pattern during the game with Landsdowne not exactly enjoying the rub of the green. Disaster struck again quickly after with Fusion adding a second after another fortunate break of the ball went their way. A reshuffle was required around the time of the second with Brian Butler pulling up injured and being replaced by Dave Rix. Dave stepped in at the back next to John Wilson, while Chris Vieceli was released to play in his favoured midfield role.

After a start which left them reeling and some excellent saves from Stuart Medcraft, Landsdowne managed to dust themselves off and finished the half the stronger of the two sides, adding a goal shortly before the half-time break. Some good play around the box between Gavin and Graham led to a nice ball being played to Chris Vieceli near the edge of the box for what was sure to be a first-time shot… Nope. Vieceli had other ideas, showing a flash of flair by skipping around two challenges and wrong-footing the Fusion goalkeeper with what can only be as a magnificent toe-punt for his first goal of the season. Landsdowne came in for half-time rejuvenated and positive that the game was there for the taking. Unfortunately, they were to be proven wrong again yet again.

The second half started much the same way as the first finished, with Landsdowne pressing again only to be caught out with another fortunate bounce for 3-1. 4-1 followed quickly after, and the fifth came direct from a corner. It was evidently not going to be Landsdowne’s day. Just when it looked like Landsdowne were settling again, they were hit for six with the final goal of the game. With some 20 minutes to go the score could have been made even more ridiculous but for some more fine work from Stuart in goal, who allowed Landsdowne some breathing space to find their feet once more. The lads were playing purely for pride now, and managed to keep themselves motivated enough to remain competitive and see the game out in a spirited late spell.

The final scoreline was not pretty by any means and was largely down to being punished by some great finishing by a side that are quite clearly enjoying a fantastic run of form. The better side on the day took the points, but Landsdowne remained adamant that the result will be different with a better account of themselves in the return fixture. The man of the match award was split in 3 directions, with Dave Rix, Rob Marling and Stuart Medcraft unable to be separated by the lads. All that remained was for Landsdowne to wish each other a Happy Christmas and head off to the pub to discuss Danny’s new magazines containing material of a questionable nature!

Essex Royals are up next on January 6th, and I know what I want for Christmas…. Revenge.