Match Report

Goals scored
G. Rix (2)

Man of the match
G. Rix

Today was going to be a stern test for the inform Landsdowne Rangers. They were up against a very well organised outfit in the shape of Bromford’s Reunion.

Landsdowne were hoping to stretch their unbeaten record of 6 straight win’s to 7. However, their opponent’s Bromfords had started their campaign with a 5-1 thrashing of Landsdowne earlier in the season so this was not going to be easy. Both team’s are in championship form and there was no doubt about it, this was a 6 pointer at this stage of the season. Although there are many banana skin’s ahead, this right now is Landsdowne’s most crucial game this season.

If Landsdowne manage to win today other games will become equally as important, however like I stated before it’s only a mountain half climbed and today the view was not a valley from the top of a mountain in all it’s splendour, it was a view more peril less. The view upward’s looked awesome, but with the lack of concentration and over confidence, one slip and the rock’s will hit you fast, hence so far this was a match of significant magnitude.

The ref turned up, well that’s the politest way I can put it, I think he forgot his whistle, and if he didn’t why he didn’t blow it more frequently is beyond me.

Bromford’s had turned up clearly motivated by today’s clash, they were at it from the off, every tackle was fiercely contested and no player was having a second on the ball, and if they did they were tackled hardly and at time’s harshly. However, despite the plea’s of Lansdowne players, it fell on deaf ears. Apparently it is completely normal to tackle stud’s up!!!

However, despite the lack of protection the Landsdowne players battled bravely through the first half, there was not much in the way of Landsdowne’s attacks as they sat deep and defended practically for 45 min’s. Bromford’s were clearly the better side and deserved their 25 min goal.

The score was 1-0 to Bromford’s and the frantic pace and late tackles were flying again time after time, it was unbelievable. Despite showing blood marks and cut’s to the ref, Landsdowne were not being protected, the tackle’s were not dirty as such, just over zealous in the passion and importance of the game. However, despite the importance and passion this was pointed out to the ref.

Somehow Landsdowne managed to make it to half time only 1-0 down after playing probably the worst they have all season. However, on the plus side, Landsdowne were playing pant’s but were only losing 1-0.

The next bit was unbelievable. Whilst walking off out of ear shot of the ref, G was commenting with Vegas on how poor the ref was letting all the late foul’s go, when the ref had decided to walk behind them. Had he walked the other way, or had it been in the dressing room, this incident would not have occurred. However, he didn’t and booked him for his comment. There was no swearing just a comment, but apparently these day’s that warrant’s a yellow card but a high stud challenge doesn’t. However, the fact was G was booked, cha-ching fella. Cheers.

After the melee of the booking had calmed down and the captain had asked the ref politely to curb the oppositions excitement, the special, special, special one spoke. Stand up to them and don’t get walked over, he sympathised with the decisions, but told us to get out there and play football,

The players went out to try and get back into the game and hoped for more protection from the ref.

As it turned out Landsdowne went out and played Bromford’s off the park. The 2nd half and ironically after all the bad tackles, Raviolli was booked for a bad tackle, incredible, outrageous but never the less, another smell of a Bushy fine cha- ching, thank you fella.I never get bored of writing that, also I've been informed player’s never get bored of reading it.

After the booking Landsdowne attacked again and again, it was a complete role reversal of the first half. The only difference was Landsdowne had not scored.

The special, special, special one subbed himself and bought on the yard, to aid attacking impudence down the left and so he could concentrate on the game in the Special and special, special one’s absence, as he felt the overall result was more important. From the side lines you could see the cog’s turning and at time’s if you got too close you could smell the smoke coming out of his ears as he was deep in thought.

After a few more attack’s Landsdowne opened up the opposition with some fantastic movement. Gavin put a ball through and Graham larruped it from about 30 yards, it sailed over the keeper, the score now 1-1 and Landsdowne were pressing.

25 mins to go and despite their dominance Landsdowne could not unlock the door, despite good work Bromford’s like Landsdowne the 1st half were standing strong. 20 mins to go nothing, 10 min’s to go nothing, 5 mins still nothing. The game was petering out for a 1-1 draw, and to be fair that was about the right result, when after a searching ball down the left from Mini Me found Graham, there was second’s on the clock, and from the most tightest angle you will ever see, he unleashed a venomous strike, it dipped and dipped and flew in the corner of the net, leaving the score 2-1 with second’s to go. Butler was doing the line now, he threw the flag in the air and chased Graham( watch out Leigh). If only he overlapped at that pace. By the time Graham realised what was going on he was swamped by nearly every Landsdowne player, what a result and those involved what a feeling that was.

Bromford’s kicked off, launched a long ball that was headed down straight into the path of a striker. Fortunately he shot wide, the whistle went and Landsdowne were 2-1 victor’s making it 7 on the spin, Can they make it 8?????

Man of the match

Graham was jubilant about his goal and was lost for word’s. He added, "I do hope this will relieve some pressure from the team on me in Poland". However, as the interviewer I took great pleasure in assuring him it didn’t.