Match Report

Goals scored
Gavin Mayo (3), Ryan Smart (2), Danny Sarling (1), OG.

Man of the match
Gavin Mayo

Team
Stuart Medcraft, John Orme, Alex Quinn, Chris Vieceli, Richard Martin, Robert Marling, Paul Munyard, Ryan Smart, Gavin Mayo, Dariusz Szymanski, Tony Bush.

Subs
Terry Bush, Graham Rix, Dean Weaving, Danny Sarling.

After reaching a second consecutive final Landsdowne had a league game to think about first; today’s opponents Ecko Whitecaps; A team that have had a poor season so far, managing only 2 draws. However, they would love nothing more than to get a win before the season is out. Landsdowne would have to try and get an early goal to knock their confidence.

Landsdowne settled well and were playing some good football. Everyone was giving a 110% and working for each other. Ecko couldn’t keep up with the quick passing and moving and it wasn’t long before Landsdowne took the lead. Good work by Bushy giving himself an early chance, good save by the keeper but the rebound striking the defender and going back into the net, bad luck but the home side don’t mind, 1-0.

Credit to Ecko they kept pushing and had a good spell for about ten minutes but Landsdowne managed to compose themselves and kept trying to play the ball about. Again good work by Bush, this time unselfishly setting up Smart. 2-0. With the half coming to an end it was all Landsdowne now, the score could have been higher if it wasn’t for the Ecko keeper who was again having a good game between the sticks.

The home team managed to grab another goal before half time, this time Mayo on the end of a cross from Smart, 3-0. Smarty was happy at half time as his team had played well, it wasn’t really a doubt that they could win it was just by how much. With the final in mind Smarty made a few changes, Marling off for Weaving, Munyard off for Bush, Szymanski off for Sarling.

Landsdowne changed ends looking confident, Ecko changed ends looking almost defeated, they were tired and not really up for another 45 minutes. Landsdowne took advantage of this and continued to play some good football. Bushy grabbing his third assist of the day, playing the ball into the box for Mayo’s second goal, 4-0. The defence were playing well and were not really troubled. As a result they wanted to get in on the act; Martin bought the ball out of defence, beat a few men and then played a lovely ball through for Smart to grab his second of the game, 5-0.

Mayo and Smart now both searching for their hat tricks. Who could get it first?? Both had several changes and missed, it was Sarling who got the next goal, a through ball found Sarling onside who finished well with a ..... you guessed it, a right of the boot special. Scorer became provider for the last goal and it was a hat trick goal, but was it Smart or Mayo?? Good work by Sarling down the left was followed by a good ball across the box finding Mayo for a well deserved hat trick and a man of the match performance. Final score 7-0.

Great game boys, a nice warm up for the final. Let’s do it!!!