Match Report

Goals scored
Graham Rix (2), Gavin Mayo (1)

Man of the match
Dean Weaving

Team
Stuart Medcraft, Chris Vieceli, Dean Weaving, Richard Martin, John Wilson, Robert Marling, Paul Munyard, Gary Kybert, Gavin Mayo, Graham Rix, Tony Bush.

Subs
Martin Burton, John Orme, Dan Trevarthen, Lee Smith.

After a great 5-0 win Landsdowne today faced top of the league side Rylands. They needed to be up for this as this was the game everyone was talking about. The pitch didn’t look great and the wind would definitely play a part. It was clear today would be a battle from start to finish. Rix won the toss and opted to go against the wind and uphill first half.

Landsdowne started sloppy whilst Rylands were enjoying lots of possession however they were doing very little with it. The away defence were staying strong and offering their side a great platform. Both teams seemed to be struggling with the wind and this made the first half hour of the game very scrappy, chances by both teams were very little with neither goalkeeper being tested as yet. Landsdowne pushed forward down the right and won a throw in. Chris Vieceli took his trademark long throw looking for the flick by Bushy, the Rylands centre back managed to meet the ball but headed it across goal and with Mayo arriving at the back post he gave Landsdowne and invaluable lead. 1-0.

At half time Landsdowne found them selves in a familiar situation; 1-0 up. Rylands hadn’t really troubled them yet and with both the wind and the slope in the second half many would say they were now in the driving seat. Smarty reminded them about previous performances and instructed them on what they needed to do in order to get the three points.

The second halve started at a quick pace however again it was slightly scrappy. Medcraft was having good success with the long ball and almost put Rix through on several occasions. Rylands were struggling against the wind and with the back four staying solid it was going to take something special or a mistake for them to concede. Kybert found himself in possession down the right and played a lovely through ball forward to Rix, a good chance allowed him to beat the defender and put him through one on one…. Rix took a touch to play the ball past the keeper but was brought down. The ref had no choice but to point to the spot…. Rix placed the ball…. GOAL!! 2-0 to Landsdowne.

Now firmly in control the away team needed to keep possession and make sure they avoided making any errors that would allow Rylands back in the game. A long throw by the home side looked as if Medcraft would easily claim, however Bushy had other ideas… rolling back the years Bushy attempting a diving header (if you can call it that) trying to clear the ball for a corner, however instead knocks it past Medcraft into his own net! Oh dear… 2-1.

Hopefully this was not going to be panic stations. With at least 15 minutes left would Landsdowne let all their hard work go to nothing? The answer is of course no as Medcraft for the second week in a row grabs another assist. A long goal kick loops over the home defence, well anticipated by Rix who spots the keeper of his line and coolly lofts the ball over him for his second of the day and puts his team 3-1 up. This goal seemed to kill off the game and with some great battling performances all over the pitch the away side managed to frustrate Rylands and take all three points.

This win takes Landsdowne top of division 4. However with other teams playing less games and not far behind more performances of this calibre will be needed over the course of the season. A good battling performance from both teams and lots of individuals. In particular, Dean Weaving optimising the meaning of Landsdowne Rangers with a great show of endeavour and commitment. Well done boys, keep it up!!