Match Report

Goals scored
Tony Bush (1), Dan Trevarthen (1).

Man of the match
Stuart Medcraft.

Team
Stuart Medcraft, Paul Munyard, Dean Weaving, Chris Vieceli, Richard Martin, Robert Marling, Danny Sarling, Ryan Smart, John Orme, Dan Trevarthen, Tony Bush.

Subs
Dariusz Szymanski.

Start of a new season for Landsdowne. Today’s opposition a new face; South Leigh Manor FC. Unfortunately with a few players leaving during the summer and a few new faces injured, today’s squad was slightly light.

Landsdowne started well, passing the ball about nicely and keeping possession. South Leigh was defending well but were offering little going forward. Vieceli was causing problems with his long throws, Bushy and Orme coming close early on. The away side continued to dominate but couldn’t find the opening goal.

With about half an hour gone Landsdowne were given a great opportunity to take the lead after Orme was failed in the box. Despite some unsporting comments from the home side Orme looked confident, he stepped up, sent the keeper the wrong way..... but just put the ball past the post! The score stayed 0-0. Half Time.

Landsdowne started the second half pretty much the same as the first but still couldn’t find the opening goal. Vicelli was continuing to pressurise the keeper with his long throws. After about 10 minutes the away side finally took the lead; Bushy getting Landsdowne’s first goal of the season with a fine header from a Vieceli throw. Landsdowne now needed to take full advantage and push on for another, unfortunately it seemed to have the opposite effect and South Leigh broke with a long ball and managed to get the equaliser. 1-1.

Smartey decided to change to 4-4-2 and push Dan T up top, within moments it paid off as some good work by the Landsdowne midfield set up Dan T who managed to beat his marker in the area and smash home a priceless goal to give his side a 2-1 lead. With about 10 minutes left South Leigh reverted to the long ball tactic and it seemed to be working as they began to push for an equaliser.

If it wasn’t for Medcraft in goal the score line could have been different but a combination of hard work and a great team effort kept the score at 2-1. It was made harder by a foolish moment from Danny Sarling who decided to swear at the referee after he blew up for a foul. I’m sure Danny will get his comeuppance....

Landsdowne managed to hang on for a 2-1 victory. A great three points on the opening day of the season. Well done boys.