Match Report

Landsdowne Rangers 4 1 St George
 

Goals scored
M.Hart, D.Rix, G.Mayo, G.Rix

Man of the match
D.Rix

A stuttering campaign to the new season left Landsdowne with 2 defeats from 3 games. After 1 weeks break they were back in action for their 2nd home game of the season. Their opponents were top of the league and Landsdowne needed to win here today to keep amongst them. Was it possible? Could Landsdowne turn their home pitch into a fortress? Could they go on a run of two games unbeaten in the league which was a feat that has not been met or beaten since 2000/2001 season.

2 weeks ago they beat the previous leaders, could they do it again? With the odds stacked against them higher than the Empire State Building, Landsdowne’s new crop of players set about their work trying to re-write the history books. Although they respected the past they wanted to be part of the new era and one day look back to see their names also draped in Landsdowne’s history.

With this in mind the "Very Special One" lined up with a 4-4-2 formation with 2 changes from their previous encounter. This saw Gavin partner Tony up front and Graham put out wide on the right. Out of the starting 11 today their was only 3 players left from that triumphant season. So with the mixture of youth and experience and alot of it in some cases - mention no names Danny mention no names - Landsdowne got the game under way and set about hopefully re-writing the history books.

St George kicked off with 10 men and tried to steady the ship until the 11th player arrived. With this in mind Landsdowne tried to take advantage but despite the numerical advantage they just could not score a goal. It was as if they were so eager to score they rushed the ball too much which did them no favours, and despite at times playing some intricate football they could not punish their opposition.

10 minutes into the game, no goals and their player turned up. Was all hope lost? Landsdowne could not score against 10, how could they score against 11? As it turned out they could and after settling down with 11 against 11, in the 25th minute Landsdowne scored a goal after some good work by Graham down the right. He went this way, then that way, then this way, then eventually after several hundred shouts he crossed the ball with perfection. Then, out of the shadows with a glancing powerful header stepped none other than Captain Sensible, Mark Hart. His 1st goal since 21/10/04, almost 2 years ago. He had one chance and took it well. One was in a joyful triumphant mood, and with exuberance my lord turned round to celebrate but instead of hugging players and jumping for joy, one skipped back to the halfway line swinging his arms to and thro like one does.

Landsdowne were now on top and at this point clearly the better team, however as in previous weeks chances were going begging when a 2nd goal was needed to take the sting out of the game. Shots were going wide or over, it was going everywhere but in the back of the net. Surely Landsdowne would not be punished for this? The answer a simple yes, when in the 30th minute up stepped the ref to award another penalty against Landsdowne. The 2nd in as many weeks.

Dean was distraught at the decision given against him, it was soft very soft to be fair but it’s a funny old game. Up stepped the St George player who without hesitation rippled the back of the net, the score now 1-1 leaving Landsdowne back to square 1.

15 mins to go, what could possibly happen? Well in Landsdowne case quite a lot actually, as they never do anything easy, but today and the next 15 min’s they did everything right. From the re-spot they carried attacking their opponents with wave after wave of attack until the breakthrough happened with 7mins and 25 secs to go. Danny picked out Gavin with a header leaving the inform striker the chance to score. It was not an easy chance, but for players of this calibre they make it look easy. Gavin put his head over the ball and hit it with venom and precision and everyone watched on as it hit the inside of the post and nestled in the back of the net. The crowd went wild the team ecstatic and the goal scorer, well he mustered a little smile, maybe it was wind, maybe it was Graham’s hand, who knows. Whatever it was, Landsdowne had now regained the lead. It was 2-1 and more than deserved.

Landsdowne knew half time was approaching, but they did not sit back, they carried on attacking looking for that killer goal. When Graham found himself 1 on 1, and with instinct he lofted the ball over the keeper, the ball was dropping at some velocity, the St George keeper could not get near it, and despite gravity it did not drop enough as the ball rebounded back off the bar. Another inch and it would have been a different outcome, but I'm sure Graham had heard this before!!! The rebound fell kindly for Tony who needed no invitation to shoot, without hesitation he slapped it goal bounds. Well the goal was there anyway, he hit it straight at the recovering defender who done well to make up the lost ground. It went out for a corner and the half petered out leaving Landsdowne winning 2-1 at half time.

The "Very Special One" gave his half time team talk and Landsdowne with the bit between there teeth took to the field with intent of making this a dam fine Sunday. As luck would have it, within 10 mins of kick off a mistake by the St George keeper saw a indirect free kick given against them. From 5 yards, up stepped the Chuckle Brothers and Graham made the most amazing precise 2 foot pass you will ever see. It was amazingly accurate, leaving Dave to hit the ball as hard as he could without any consideration to human life in the way of his venomous strike, the ball nearly burst through the netting as it hit the back of the net at 75.8 miles an hour. What a strike and what a goal, his new boots read 1 game 1 goal and more importantly the score now 3-1 to Landsdowne.

St George came at Landsdowne with everything they could muster, but they were forced into pumping the ball long time after time as they could not find a way through midfield. Landsdowne’s defence also stood firm to the test with resolve and determination, exactly the same determination that has only seen them concede 2 goals in 2 games up to now, and both must be said were gifts from the penalty spot, but there was no way through today, the doors had been sealed and bolted shut.

With 15 mins to go, after much shouting from the sidelines from the "Very Special One" and his assistant, the "Very Very Special One, Peter decided to make some substitutions to freshen up the game. This saw the inclusion of Paul, Dariusz and Rob who was making his 1st competitive debut in Landsdowne’s colours.

The Substitutions appeared to work as Dariusz with his first attempt volleyed just over the bar, it was at this point we pointed out he was shooting the wrong way. To be fair it was a vital clearance and Landsdowne defended the following corner, Dariusz was making a right nuisance of himself and after a good cross he headed down towards the goal. It was so close to being 4-1 but somehow the keeper got a flailing hand to the ball leaving Landsdowne with their heads in their hands and left St George with a glimpse of hope.

Today hope didn’t last long for the visitors, as Dariusz clearly intent on scoring closed down the defender and won the ball which left him with a 1 on 1 situation, he hit it low and hard but again somehow the keeper got a part of his body to it, the ball ricochet kindly for Graham, who without hesitation placed the ball in the back of the net leaving the score 4-1 and no way back.

The game was now over everybody knew it, the whistle eventually went and Landsdowne walked of to a rapturous applause. Well they walked off anyway, pleased as punch and looking forward to the following week’s game.

Man of the match

Dave Rix stated "I am pleased with mine and the team’s performance today, and scoring that goal was a fantastic round up for me. Also more than anything else I am pleased in not getting booked, as I am now allowed down the pub today for good behaviour and I'm promised a gold star".