Match Report

Goals scored
Dean Weaving

Man of the match
Darren Playford

Landsdowne were drawn away for the 2nd round of the Essex Cup today, their opposition Wheatley's, a well established side in the Southend Sunday League.

After being humiliated last week in the Charity Cup this was the chance for the players to put right what was wrong from the previous week and they did with style.

Unfortunately the result did not show the true reflection of the game, and I'm bored of writing this but if we don't take our chances we just ain't going to win. This is unfortunate as the team is playing well and every player is giving their all although I'm convinced that sooner or later we are going to give a team a proper stuffing.

Landsdowne started slowly and at times played good football, and in some cases dominated periods of the game. In the first half Landsdownes in form keeper had 2 catches to make and one great save, that should give the picture of how much time we spent attacking in the first half, but unfortunately the final ball was not there. However, it's fair to say we had our chance's including hitting the post.

So where did that leave us at half time? In a nutshell the score was 0-0 and all there to play for, the only problem was now we were kicking uphill and it was steeper than Mount Everest, well maybe not but ya get the picture.

Up step the Manager to give his inspiring team talk and to be fair was spot on, he said we must "keep the ball down and play it around", no hoofing as players out there were guilty of this, even the Manager (never, I hear you cry).

Then up stepped "Verbal" for his input, I don't know maybe he is Pete's assistant or maybe he just like's talking. I ain't any the wiser even now sitting here writing this, maybe he is the modern day Wenger, Pete watch out le verbaliser is about.

And just quickly, whilst I'm talking about "Verbal", it must be said he has been out injured and been there week in week out supporting the team. Top Lad.

The 2nd half kicked off and Landsdowne were under the cosh from the start, but grew in confidence and after about 15 min's started knocking the ball about well, working their way up field as a unit. Even Chaz was involved after an hour which was unusual, normally an hour with the lad's and he's on his way home to a bouncy castle or a theme park or a big huge Thumb!!

Landsdowne were looking dangerous when a cunning corner from the opposition saw their big number 10 head in at the near post leaving Landsdowne trailing 1-0 (bugger).

Landsdowne dug in deep and missed 3 to 4 sitters before a clearance later on in the game fell to one of their players leaving the striker no other option other than to score.

This left Landsdowne trailing 2-0 with 5 mins to go, when some good play gave Landsdowne a break down the right, this saw Raviolli get his 3rd assist of the season, with a deft flick on that set up Dean Weaving to score a consolation goal, which he executed well on the half volley leaving the keeper no chance and the final score 2-1. "MAN OF THE MATCH" Darren Playford was chuffed to bit's about his award, whilst I was interviewing him he continually stroked his bum fluff on his face and dedicated his performance to himself, gave a Bling pose then walked off............