Match Report

Towerfield Rangers 3 4 Landsdowne Rangers
 

Goals scored
Graham Rix (2), Martin Bell, Dan Sherry

Half time score
Towerfield Rangers 3 : 0 Landsdowne Rangers

Man of the match
Graham Rix

Landsdowne returned to Thorpe Bay for the third meeting in as many weeks against Towerfield Rangers.

Whilst the home side had cruised to an easy win in the league two weeks ago, today's match was all about the cup.

Landsdowne won the toss and asked the home team to play down the slope in the hope of gaining the advantage in the second half as legs tired.

Manager Pete Smart put out a 3-5-2 formation believing this would make Landsdowne more competitive in the middle of the park.

Unfortunately early in the first half Landsdowne went behind after a mistake by goalkeeper Darren Playford gifted the Towerfield attack an easy opportunity.

Ten minutes later and two fine strikes saw Towerfield take control of the game to lead by three goals.

Landsdowne didn't concede anymore goals by half time though and despite being three goals down there was a genuine belief amongst the players that they could still get back into the match.

That belief soon turned into reality as Landsdowne scored an early goal in the second half and as a result the tackles and competitive spirit that had been missing for most of the season suddenly reappeared.

Twenty minutes from time and Martin Bell scored, resulting in Towerfield buckling under the pressure as Graham Rix equalised minutes later to set out a frantic final ten minutes.

At this point Towerfield resorted to their usual game, offering abusive comments to the visiting team, but Landsdowne kept their heads and won the game with five minutes to go, Graham Rix capping a man of the match performance with his second goal of the game.

For 45 minutes Landsdowne showed what is needed if they are to avoid relegation this season and perhaps what has been missing most of the season: some desire, some passion and a bit of self-belief.