Match Report

Bromfords Reunion 5 1 Landsdowne Rangers
 

Goals scored
Gavin Mayo

Man of the match
John Wilson/ Paul Munyard

Today saw Landsdowne play ther first game of the season away to new comers Bromford Reunion. Pete had meticulously planned this pre-season from start to finish with some fine tactical work and alot of assistance from Brian (Thank you both for your hard work and your own time off the field. I only hope the team repay you with hard work & commitment for your efforts).

For the first time an emphasis was put on fitness and a strength in squad to make sure that every player needed to put in 120% to keep their position. With this in mind and good results pre-season against higher opposition everything was looking good.

For the first time in a while Landsdowne was playing free flowing football and working hard for each other and was hoping to break their opening game hoodoo. Landsdowne had not won an opening game fixture since 2001/2002 season. Could today finish that 5 years of hurt ? Could all the pre-season work pay off ? And is Rob really “Mini Dave” ? All will be revealed. Read on!!!!!!!!!!

First of all the inquest on “Mini Dave” on alias (Rob). We have to wait till this week for close examining.

As for Landsdowne, the game kicked off and all the pre-season work seemed to go out of the window. They were under the cosh from the off, ball after ball was being played into Landsdowne’s area. The ball was kicked in the air so much it looked liked a game of volley ball. The game was played at a 1000 miles an hour and no-one could seem to hold onto the ball for more than 2 secs. When against the run of play an intelligent ball by Graham (the one with the bad haircut, soon to be called “Rupret”, I have the look-alikes) played Gavin onside. He raced clear and outpaced the defender from the half way line, and to be fair when he got there he slotted it home with precision. This was not about power, this was about ability and with his new found work rate and confidence. What a Finish!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gavin turned round and celebrated his goal, giving the message “come on lad’s dig in, follow my lead”…..

Unfortunately Gav’s goal seemed to be the start of a false dawn. The defence dropped deep, the midfield had to much ground to cover and the ball ended up being lumped long to the strikers and after several attempts Bromford finally equalised ,albeit offside. The goal stood.

The captain bellowed “Come on lad’s, it’s only 1-1, let’s work for each other and concentrate on the game”. Landsdowne tried to get into the game but to no avail, they were seriously on the back foot. Bromford were coming through the middle, over the top, down the sides and only one great save onto the bar from “Raviolli” kept Landsdowne level. No one was winning their personal duels and just when it looked Landsdowne were going to stick it out, up stepped (guess what guys, you have heard it before), yep, your right. Up stepped the ref to give an atrocious decision against “Whitey”. We all know, they knew, even the player on the playing field 500 metres away knew it was blatantly not a penalty. However Tony made himself big in goal. He was waving his arms all over the place. Was it clever, was it semaphore or was he practicing Y.M.C.A. for his night out with Mr Norton ? To be honest whatever it was the buggers scored. They had now been gifted two goals and players were getting involved with the ref and we all know that’s a 12th man for the opposition and you lack focus on your game.

Heads were now dropping and a third goal was the killer just before half time and off Landsdowne Trudged.

The manager was livid and blasted the players for their performance and informed them that if it continued changes would be made. He said he did not put all his effort into pre-season to watch this and will not be associated with it. With this ringing in everyone’s ears they took to the field for the second half.

The words obviously worked as Landsdowne battled harder in the second half and had a few chances only too see them go over and wide. Landsdowne had better shape but were still losing too many battles and there was space all over the park for their opponent’s as Landsdowne were still stretched and just could not seem to find a winning formula.

Unfortunately Lansdowne lost their captain and rock at the back and after 3 changes Landsdowne ended up coming off with a 5-1 defeat, and to be fair the better team won on the day. I heard a lot of player’s commenting on how good they were and yes they were, BUT!!!!!!!! They are not unbeatable. GOALS!!!!! Change games and CONFIDENCE!!!!!!!!! Take away the first two gifts by the ref who knows what would have happened.

Also the whole team was not at the races. On another day, who knows, and as I read somewhere, if they are generally 50% better than us and they know this and drop their game by 25% and we raise ours by 25% that now makes us EVEN. Its not the end of the world, it’s a new start, now let’s get out there and work for each other.
Play football and most of all enjoy it and win!!!!!!

Man of the match

After an interview the new centre half “Sammy” and “the Farmyard”, they were both pleased with their performances and just wished that their joint “Man of the Match” award would have affected the final outcome.
They were also pleased to be playing alongside so many stars and hopes - “Mr Norton”, “Shrek” and “Burt”.