Match Report

Goals scored
Mark Hart, Rob Marling, Tony Bush, John Wilson.

Man of the match
Mark Hart, John Wilson

Landsdowne were drawn at home in the quarter-final of the League Cup. Only a win stood in their way of a mouth watering potential semi- final against Waymade. However, as you have to learn to walk before you run, you also need to win the quarter to reach the semi.

With this in mind the special special one chose his words carefully in order to inspire confidence into a deflated Landsdowne. A defeat at the hand’s of Reecon the week before left players licking their wound’s.

Last week Reecon asked question’s to which Landsdowne player’s had no answer. Confidence was missing and mistakes and indecision was there for all to see. Landsdowne were against the ropes ducking and diving refusing to go down, thing’s were not looking good and only an inspiring performance would please the angry angry special special one!

Landsdowne started the game naturally a bit hesitant but started to build up speed and looked like their old selves. However, despite the very windy condition’s Landsdowne started to play football in the air and Outwood Common felt this and with long ball after long ball started to pummel the Landsdowne box. Chances went begging for both sides. It was a true cup game, until an Outwood player was left unmarked to make the score 1-0.

Landsdowne could not believe their luck. They were clearly the better team but something was missing. Belief? Passion? Work rate? It was none of these so what could it be? The answer a bit of luck. All team’s need it at times and had Landsdowne used up all their’s this season already?

Then when out of the blue another header a bit of wind (not from Tony’s bathroom I must add for a change). The score now 2-0.

Landsdowne trudged off at half time, their season in tatter’s. Would the manager earn his crust? He sat there staring into space thinking for a few minutes, or was it just his normal vacant look? Who knows. Then the words of wisdom flowed. He was calm and calculated, and had self belief in his team. He was not quaking like a beer in a mile radius of Dave Allen, or a toilet seat in the vicinity of a Bushy dump. No, this was coolness of the top order and icy stare, or maybe just a hang over again. However, whatever it was, the Manager was in control and Landsdowne calmed down and went out to play football, something they have not mustered in a few week’s so far.

Landsdowne with the bit between their teeth took the game to the opposition. Landsdowne were now playing football and it showed, when a pass from Vegas found Whitey on another one of his overlapping run’s and without a blink of an eye he slotted the ball with perfection through midfield to Harty who with his first touch slotted the ball in the bottom of the net. He turned round pleased as punch beating his chest, the score now 2-1. Game on.

Despite the elation of a goal this did not prevent Outwood scoring again leaving the score 3-1 with 25 mins to go.

Landsdowne attacked but could not find a way through this new found resilience of Outwood Common, when the "Special Special One" made a tactical change, he reverted to 3-5-2. He was shouting from the sidelines "3-5-2" but so much was the noise no one could hear. "What was that gaffer??? Can’t hear ya". He shouted again, "3-5-2". Still no one heard. Then he realised, use his hands, and with his signal and one more shout he cried, "I said 3 at the back". See the picture below taken by the Evening Echo at the game.

It was a great move. Landsdowne with body of number’s moved higher up field no longer deep. They compressed play and in the last 10 min’s hoped to open the flood gate’s, when a quality goal by Terry or was it Dave, no I think it was Rob, no it was definitely Rob. Anyway, Rob scored his 1st Landsdowne goal with a quality finish, he kept a cool head as he slotted it home with perfection, only if the Evening Echo guy kept his cool head when he wrote his name in the paper Rob oogermewhatsit.

Rob was pleased as punch. I have not seen this guy that happy since he shared a room with Graham and Gavin on tour. However, what a finish and what a goal 3-2. Game back on.

5 min’s to go 3-2, can Landsdowne do it??? The answer come in the shape and form of none other Mr Landsdowne, Tony scores another quality goal. Mr Landsdowne made it 3-3, what a turn around. WHAT A TURNAROUND.

1 Min to go, Landsdowne looked destined for extra time when Vegas passed to John on the edge of the box, who kept his head down and just smashed it, how can I say other than what a GOAL. It flew into the corner of the net, the net was rippling the keeper was visibly shaken such was the ferocity of the strike, if anyone was in the way OUCH is all I can say.

The whistle went and Landsdowne were victorious but to be fair their opponent’s made this an awesome game to. If only Landsdowne could do this week in week out.

Next week’s opponent’s were now Waymade. Landsdowne have them 2 week’s on the trot. Are they going to do an Arsenal and go out of all competition’s inside 11 day’s. Let’s hope not!!!!!!!!!!

Man of the match

Man of the match was shared today, however both were unavailable for comment. Mark wanted to shoot home early to tell the Mrs about his goal, he was so excited as he skipped to his car. Meanwhile, John was off home writing his new book available to the public next year it’s called “How to tactically vote by Dumbo”.