With the laughter of an early LoM bid from Pearson (Gimli), bringing his wife's skort to the game instead of shorts and a good warm up from Linders (Golum) we were raring to go. The whistle went and so did our heads. For a first quarter without the ball and Stan (Treebeard) having absorbed a peppering of shots and Nik (Peregrin Took) sweeping up at the back, we were greatful to be heading to the dugout 0-0, having only had one shot on target (a soft baseline flick from Willow (Gandalf) in an attempt to humiliate his former uni goalkeeper). Will T (King Theodin) gave a rasing speech, "attack and apply pressure". A brilliant drive from Sam (Grima Wormtongue) beats 1, 2, 3, like a slow Gandalf, a frustrated stick tackle came flying in and a short was finally awarded by an umpire (Censored) full of doubt. A 2nd castle flick from Tim (Legolas) was deflected in by a determined King Theodin. 1-0, boom. An adventurous dabble into the offensive territory of the oppositions baseline by Mark (Eomer) lead to another well won short corner. This time, smelling blood, we went for the no nbrainier, the banker, the one that couldn't fail, the one that's never failed. A pullout straight to left slip for Scott (Faramir) was slapped near post, devistating disguise tricked the keeper. 2-0 Booooom. Half time came short after, we've been here before and often end up loosing, "don't let them back into this, keep the pressure". 2-2 and 3rd quarter ends, it's happened again. The midfield turned up the heat, Schu (Aragorn), Golum and Gandlaf cut through their lazy tackles like a hot knife through very hot butter. A miss placed final pass, a snatched at shot or some roapy decisions kept the opposition in the game. This was not a game that would be decided by the blade. A misstrapped reverse from Elk (Galadrial), or was it a shot on goal? Only the gods know, but either way, it hit Bedford's brilliant No.6 (Saruman). Ed (Boromir) topped his usual strike, but the top spin kept it down and fooled the keeper. 3-2 end of the third quarter. Meats back on the menu boys! Unfortunately it was for Bedford, who responded quickly in the final quater with a jammy short corner that was initially saved by Treebeard but found it's way into the back of the goal hole. 3-3. Fines master Harry Lewis (Smaug) worked his way into the game with great movement and was unfortunate not to bag a goal in the dying stages of the game. But it was Legolas who stepped up, a slow drag flick to the bottom right best the keeper. 4-3 BOOOOOM!