Match Report

Goals scored
Dan Trevarthen

Man of the match
Dean Weaving

Team
Ben Tarrant, Dean Weaving, Richard Martin, Dave Rix, Lee Smith, James Grieve, Dan Trevarthen, Robert Marling, Paul Munyard, Graham Rix, Gavin Mayo.

Subs
Nick Wallace, Dariusz Szymanski.

After a successful opening day fixture Landsdowne were in good spirits although the opposition today would definitely be a stronger challenge; Fusion A were champions of division 2 last season and without losing a single game Landsdowne would have to be on good form to give them a game. The two previous meetings between these sides had resulted in two victories for Fusion however several members of the home team felt confident before hand and felt that this was as good as time as any to test themselves.

The banter was as per before the game, the sun was shining and it was a good day for football. The game started at a high pace with Fusion quickly setting the tempo with some quick passing and lots of possession in the Landsdowne halve. The home team were struggling to get the ball and did not settle at all as the visitors were beginning to take a hold of the game. They were winning everything in the air and it wasn’t long before their pressure turned into goals. Three goals to be precise, in the first twenty-five minutes giving Landsdowne a mountain to climb if they were going to get anything from this game.

The first was a cross from the left that was allowed to go straight across the goal and be tapped in at the back post by an unmarked player. Fusion quickly added a second without giving their opponents time to relax; a shot from the edge of the box zipping past Ben Tarrant. A frustrated Landsdowne needed to keep their heads up and simply try and start playing their own game, but the away team were still pushing and soon got the third. A foul on the edge, gave them a free kick that was coolly slotted in the far corner.

3-0 down… and this game was looking like a nightmare. However the team in purple responded and began to battle for the ball and show pride. They didn’t want to be humiliated today, they started to pass the ball around, particularly in the middle of the park. Dan T was getting some good possession and causing a few problems with his ability to turn quickly and spray the ball about. This was a good response from Landsdowne and they finished the halve strongly by adding a few shots at goal themselves, with Gavin and Graham both seeing more of the ball up top.

At half time the skipper and manager gave a rousing team talk that basically consisted of the team working for each other and making sure that each player left the pitch knowing they gave 110%. The second half was like watching a different game. The home team were giving it there all and were beginning to show signs of getting back in this game. On the left side of the pitch Dean was having a blinder, aided by those around him he was finding himself with lots of possession and with a bit of luck could have got himself a few assists as well as a goal. With both teams tiring, space became apparent around the pitch and Landsdowne were making the most of it. They began to test the keeper although he was equal to pretty much everything, showing very good handling skills.

Goal: 1-3, after some good attacking football, Graham was failed on the edge of the box. The resulting free kick was played into the box by Dan T, and after taking a deflection the ball ended up in the net giving Dan his 4th goal in half the amount of games.

Was it too little too late for Landsdowne? They didn’t believe so and they carried on battling for every ball as they tried to break the strong Fusion defence. Yard and Mayo began finding more of the ball out on the wings and with some tireless running from Graham they began to create more chances. They were playing some great football and were really giving the away team a good game, however they couldn’t turn possession into goals and with time running out it was looking like this was going to be their first loss of the season.

The final whistle went and with the score at 3-1 it had to be said that it was a brave performance by Landsdowne however they needed to play like that for the whole game and unfortunately this was not the case. They gave a good account of themselves and although this was a disappointing loss they battled hard. If they can do that for the full 90 minutes on the next occasion without giving three goals away early then it could be a different story. The second half performance should show the Landsdowne team that they can play good football and they need to play their own game without fearing the opposition. This could be the difference between them winning and losing as they are sure to face several hard games this season.