Match Report

Goals scored
Brian Butler

Man of the match
John Wilson

Weeks of counting down was finally here. Today saw Landsdowne Rangers take on their opponents Addison in a clash unlike any other. This was not just about football, this was about bragging rights for years to come. Today was like the war of the roses, but with "Bushes" instead.

Today all the Bushes came out to play. Big Bush, middle Bush and little baby Bush. Today they turned up with no other thought other than a win will do. They put their brotherly love aside. "Paul, Paul, can you stop beating up your older brother now, play nicely", came a voice from the crowd. With this in mind they shook hand’s, wished each other luck and the game begun.

Peep went the whistle and they were off. Was it Murray Walker or was Ben up to his old trick’s again? To be fair there was not enough time to find out, as the game was played at a thunderous pace, it was a game of end to end action, this was a true cup game, with blood and guts with quite a few bruises added in. Tackles were flying in all over the place, especially in central midfield. Vegas and Rix were kicked from pillar to post with no protection from the ref, but to be fair the ref did blow up for a foul once!

Their opponent’s took clear advantage of the refs inability to control the game, however this did not stop Addison taking control of the game, when a well struck shot beat Ben at the near post. Landsdowne refused to lie down and fought back with every intention of an equaliser before half time, but despite their best effort’s the score remained 1-0 at half time.

The special one at half time gave a rousing team talk about carry on playing football and eventually the equaliser will come, he told player’s not to get involved and calm down, with this in mind Landsdowne took to the field with every intention of an equaliser and carrying out their duties.

The second half started and it was much like the first; thunderous, contested, spirited, whatever word you choose to describe it there was no let up as attack’s were flying from end to end with the ref still doing little in controlling the game. Vegas and Trig were at the end of there tether, they were about as calm as the Atlantic ocean in force gale 9 winds. The manager had seen enough and made a double substitution, Vegas and Trig were replaced by Little bush and Mini Me, who begun about their work in a professional workman manner. A quick pass by Terry released Farmyard down the left, when in come yet another bad challenge, this lead to the offender being booked, and left Landsdowne in the driving seat as one more yellow and they were down to 10. Farmyard’s top half and bottom half was put back together from where he had practically been scythed in half, so he could carry on with the game.

Landsdowne were now the dominant force but despite their efforts just could not find that all important equaliser. With 20 min’s to go the special one made his final substitution, Butler took to the field and was just pleased to be part of the game after his epic journey to make the game. He took up his familiar role of left back as the game continued. The team was attacking and working admirably but still had nothing to show for their effort’s due to Addison snuffing out attack after attack. Terry come close with a rasper just over the bar but still nothing, then with 7 min’s to go Landsdowne won a corner. Could they equalise?

The corner was taken and Butler showed the importance of timing your run’s. He took training of the corner’s, he aided on corner’s, but this time their was no word’s just a well timed run and a quality finish leaving the score 1-1 leaving Butler and Landsdowne completely ecstatic. It was a Crucial goal, a goal of epic proportion’s, it’s relevance word’s could not describe, and I shall never forget the Celebration for as long as I live. A vision of Butler cheering and running off down practically the length of the field with the whole team running behind him.

The importance of the equaliser was clear for all to see, now the next job was to get the winner. The final 7 min’s flew by, extra time was on the card’s!!!

The special one sent out his weary battle troops ready for extra time, advising them to focus and do nothing silly.

The game re-started and despite a few chances either end the deadlock just could not be broken. A few half chances went begging but nothing clear cut, the players were looking really jaded now when the ref the blew his whistle. The team’s changed end’s for the final 15 min’s of this pulsating cup tie.

The ref’s high pitched whistle signalled the last 15 mins’s of the game and despite both team’s best effort’s, a break through looked impossible for either team, it was like a game of chess, both team’s getting into position but just could finish the move, when out of no-where came a scintillating shot by the Addison striker. It looked destined for the bottom corner of the net to break Landsdowne’s heart’s, when with the agility and speed of a cat, Lurch pulled out a world class save to tip it round the post. The team congratulated him on his fantastic save but unfortunately that’s were the congratulation’s and celebration’s finished.

The final whistle went and Landsdowne were now involved in a penalty shoot out!!!!!!!!!!

Up- Stepped the penalty takers one by one, the tension was high, and the team huddled together in support. One by one the penalty’s were taken and one by one they were missed. The only penalty scorer was John Wilson, who relieved the tension by doing a funny celebration, as it turned out Landsdowne lost 3-1 on penalty’s

Man of the match

John was delighted with his award and goal and just wished it had a different bearing on the outcome. However, he has informed me if you are available all day Sunday he will talk you through his goal again and again and again.....