Match Report

Goals scored
Graham Rix (2), Tony Bush (3)

Man of the match
Tony Bush

Team
Jamie Bullock, John Orme, Chris Vicelli, Rich Martin, Stuart Medcraft, Paul Munyard, Danny Sarling, Robert Marling, Dan Trevarthen, Graham Rix, Tony Bush.

Subs
Nick Wallace, Martin Burton, Dariusz Szymanski.

Today’s opponents Vasco De Canvey. In their last meeting Landsdowne dominated the majority of the game, they took a 2-0 lead but threw it away and ending up drawing 3-3. Without a competitive game since early December they needed to get back to winning ways if they wanted to get back in the title race. The conditions of the pitch had put the game into jeopardy. But with some hard work from the Vasco fans and players, the referee gave the go ahead for the game to continue.

Landsdowne started very slow and it was Vasco who were taking control of the game. They were dominating the possession and were looking the most threatening of the two sides. Only some wayward shooting and some good goalkeeping from Bullock was keeping the sides level. Vasco continued to control the game and soon broke the deadlock. A quick corner and some terrible marking allowed the home side a free header; 1-0. This unfortunately didn’t act as a wake up call. Soon after it was 2-0; a cross struck the arm of Vicelli and unsurprisingly the referee pointed to the spot. A well struck penalty, put Vasco firmly in control.

Landsdowne now needed to wake up and start trying to get themselves back in the game. They needed to believe that they could come back for 2-0 down. Rix certainly believed, he was doing the captains job and working his socks off for his team. A good through ball by Bushy allowed Rix to find himself one on one with the Vasco centre halve, he out paced him and worked his way into the box. Graham looked up and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. 2-1 and a big lifeline for Landsdowne.

At half time, Smartey decided it was time for the hairdryer treatment. He gave several members of the team some well deserved home truths and challenged them to prove their worth to the team. Landsdowne certainly looked a different side in the second halve. They were enjoying lots of possession and were finally starting to battle for every ball. Several early chances were either unlucky or well saved by the Vasco keeper.

Some good work by Sarling, gave Graham some good space down the right. He looked to cross but instead drilled the ball goal wards; a mixture of the conditions and a great strike beat the Vasco keeper at his near post; 2-2 and game on. Landsdowne now looked completely in control, they were creating change after change and with Vasco rarely threatening it seemed inevitable that they would take all three points. A trademark throw from Viecelli was met by a powerful trademark header from Bushy. The comeback was complete but still not secure.

Another trademark throw from Viecelli was again met by Bushy, a good strong header giving him his second of the game. 4-2 and now the three points looked certain for Landsdowne. With both strikers having a brace, could a hat trick be on the cards? The youthful Mr Rix was still working hard and trying to get that goal. But it was the wise owl, Mr Bush that found himself in the correct position to grab a very decent hat trick and round off a man of the match performance; a shot by Trevarthen was well saved but coolly slotted home by Bushy. Final score 5-2.

A good win for Landsdowne, but realistically only a good second half performance. Against other teams we really can’t start in a poor way because it will cost us. Vasco again next week in the cup. Hopefully it will be a good performance over 90 minutes and not just 45 minutes.