Match Report

Goals scored
None

Man of the match
Jamie Bullock

Team
Jamie Bullock, Dean Weaving, Richard Martin, Dave Rix, Chris Vicelli, Robert Marling, John Wilson, Paul Munyard, Gavin Mayo, Dan Sherry, Stuart Medcraft.

Subs
Nick Wallace, Dariusz Szymanski, Lee Smith, James Grieve.

After nearly a month off, Landsdowne finally had a fixture. Today’s league opponents were same as the last; Reecon Rovers. The home team would definitely be looking for a different result today and perhaps more importantly a better performance. With the winter weather settling in earlier then usual the elements were definitely against both teams today; there was snow, rain and wind!

With a few players missing, Landsdowne fielded a slightly different looking team then usual but the message is always the same no matter who wears the shirt: PLAY FOR EACH OTHER AND GIVE 100% FROM START TO FINISH!

The game began with both teams finding it difficult to adjust to the wet surface. Long balls were skidding off at a fast pace and it was hard to keep possession. The ball seemed to hold up slightly more for Reecon and this allowed them to put lots of pressure on Landsdowne. This was pretty much the story of the first halve and with only one up top, the home team were struggling to keep the ball and create any sort of opening.

Reecon continued to dominate and were only kept out by some great defending from the back four and some heroic goalkeeping from Jamie. He was having a great game and made some super saves, particularly when you consider the conditions. It looked like Landsdowne were going to have to keep defending and hopefully create something on the break but with the weather it was difficult to play the type of football they were used to. With half time approaching and the score 0-0 both teams were looking to finish the half strong but it was Reecon that took the lead from a corner. A good cross in and a strong header giving them a 1-0 lead.

At half time the manager gave a positive team talk, Landsdowne weren’t playing great football but were battling and hopefully with the score only at 1-0 they could still get something out of the game. It was important that they started the better of the two teams.

Landsdowne started quite well and were enjoying more possession then what they got in the first halve. They now just needed to do something with it. Unfortunately Reecon were still creating a lot more and all the home team could do was work and give everything. The defence were still holding strong but half way through the second half they were broken from another cross and header. On a positive note it was slightly against the run of play as Landsdowne were definitely enjoying more of the possession. Hopefully the 2nd goal would not kill the game off?

The home team responded in almost the best possible way as they created probably their best chance of the match. Some good work down the left created a crossing opportunity for Sherry; who delivered a great ball into the box that simply needed a touch and it would be 2-1 and an instant reply. Unfortunately the chance seemed too easy and Yard couldn’t power the header goal wards, the key word there being Power! There wasn’t any…

A few late changes gave some fresh legs to Landsdowne and showed that they have a good squad as the players that came on battled well and were willing to fight for the cause in very difficult conditions. The outcome of the game however could not be changed. Reecon won 2-0 and probably deserved it as they had a little more quality on the day but it was positive for the home side as they all worked for each other and perhaps on another day with a bit more luck the result could have been different.

Overall not a great day but a good team performance that was not reflected by the result. Man of the Match was the outstanding Jamie Bullock who kept his side in the game with some great saves.