Match Report

Goals scored
Gavin Mayo (1), Graham Rix (1)

Man of the match
Danny Sarling

Team
Jamie Bullock, Chris Viecelli, Dean Weaving, John Wilson, Richard Martin, Dan Trevarthen, Danny Sarling, Robert Marling,
Gavin Mayo, Graham Rix, Tony Bush.

Subs
Paul Munyard, Martin Burton, Michael, Stuart Medcraft, Darisuz Szymanski.

After a humiliating 5-1 defeat last week it was a change for payback. After the game clear the air talks took place, hopefully this will help Landsdowne get back to basics and regain the form they showed at the beginning of the season. Smarty decided to change formation today; 4-2-3-1. Thoughts are that this will suit the attacking style of Rix, Trevarthen and Mayo whilst allowing the team a solid back four with two holding midfielders to the middle. Let’s hope it works.....

Early signs were good as Landsdowne looked confident in the early stages. Everyone was working for each other and some good football was being played. Essex Royals were also playing well, making it a good contest for the neutral.

It was scrappy at times, partly to do with the pitch. Both teams looked strong in defence but it was Landsdowne who looked the most threatening on the break. The first halve flew by but the deadlock could not be broken. At half time the score was 0-0. Smarty was full of praise for his battling team. They were showing good composure on the ball and the new formation seemed to be working well. Landsdowne now needed to keep the pressure on and start to test the Royals defence.

They did just that as they created some good early chances. The Royals keeper and back four were playing well though; it was going to take a little class to break through. Unfortunately Royals had other ideas. They won an early corner and some terrible marking allowed a free header; 1-0 to Essex Royals. Landsdowne now needed to make sure they did not self destruct like they had done in recent weeks.

Some good work by Rix through the middle created some space for Mayo down the left. A good through ball was played into his path; one touch was followed by a cool finish. 1-1 and game on. It was the perfect reply for the home team and it seemed to knock the stuffing out of Royals. They looked shattered and it was now all Landsdowne. But they needed a goal....

Again some good work by Rix, he found himself in the box, first shot blocked and with a great turn and instinctive shot he turned and coolly slotted the ball into the roof of the net. 2-1 and surely it was now 3 points. Smarty took this time to make some subs, Yard on for Mayo and Medcraft on for Bushy. Both could have made immediate impacts. A lovely cross by Trevarthen found the unmarked Yard at the back post; could it be first touch = goal? Unfortunately NO as his head hit the post. Medcraft could have had a hat trick in the last 5, but the conditions went against him. The first a pass by Yard across the box stuck in the mud and could only be dug out by Medcraft. Two more late chances, the first well saved and the second again stuck in the mud made it very difficult to apply the finish.

Final score 2-1. A well earned three points for Landsdowne. But more importantly a much, much better performance! The formation seemed to work but it was the players attitude the made the difference today. Positive thoughts and comments from all over the pitch and a great work ethic from every player gave the opposition a very tough game. Which meant it was an enjoyable game for Landsdowne Rangers football club.