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At the Gladden Fields last night Minas Arnor faced Galadriel’s Lorien – the last chance for each team to get match practice ahead of the Arda Cup. Lorien came out on top with a 2-1 victory, but if it wasn't for a masterful performance from the Lady between the Posts, a spirited Minas Anor could well have won this.

In a closely fought first half where goal-scoring chances were kept to a premium, Lorien took into the lead through Amdir after nice build up play by Celeborn. When Haldir scored Lorien’s second early in the second half victory seemed certain for the Elves and Galadriel ordered her team to consolidate the lead by taking no chances and getting numbers behind the ball. But this passivity only gave Minas Anor an opportunity to gain the upper hand of their opponents, and with her team pegged back deep it took some Galadriel heroics to save the day. In the 72nd minute however the legendary shot-stopper had to capitalize when Boromir I smashed the ball into the roof of the net from close range which made for a tense finish. Minas Anor now poured forward in wave after wave of attacks and up front for Lorien, lone striker Celeborn looked increasingly forlorn, chasing shadows and seeing very little of the ball. In the last minute of normal time, Boromir I beat Nimrodel on the left and hit a crisp, curling shot from the edge of the area that looked certain to hit the top corner. His team-mates were already on their way to congratulate him with arms raised in the air before realizing to their astonishment that Galadriel had made the save, flying through the air at full stretch like a Balrog and palming the ball away at the last fraction of a second.

When asked about her performance during the post-match press conference Galadriel answered succinctly: “I make saves. That is what I do.” Celeborn however was keen to add that the Lorien attack was in need of improvements in order for the team to compete at this level, but he was quickly interrupted by star goal-tender Galadriel, who excusing her husband said: “Celeborn is wise, but he doesn’t quite understand the subtleties of this game. I do have a plan to win, but it must not be revealed yet.”


Yesterday’s friendlies:

Lorien 2-1 Minas Anor
tot shots 9-13
on target 5-7
GOALS:
*39, 1-0 Amdir (Celeborn)
*51, 2-0 Haldir (Rumil)
*72, 2-1 Boromir I (Nazgul #4)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Lorien- Rumil, Nimrodel
*Minas Anor- Siriondil, Dervorin

Gondor 1-2 Mithrim
tot shots 11-12
on target 4-5
GOALS:
*43, 0-1 Aradan (Morwen)
*62, 0-2 Hurin (Beleg)
*77, 1-2 Eldacar (Beruthiel)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondor- Folcred, Hyarmendacil
*Mithrim- Curufin, Aradan, Androg

Havens 1-1 Vinyamar
tot shots 10-9
on target 4-4
GOALS:
*65, 1-0 Tar Minastir (Earendil)
*84, 1-1 Egalmoth (Voronwe)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Havens- Tar Aldarion, Ar Gimilzor
*Vinyamar- Galdor

Ithilien 0-1 Wold
tot shots 8-7
on target 3-3
GOALS:
*68, 0-1 Treebeard (Lightfoot)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Ithilien- Beregond, Mablung
*Wold- Aldor, Elfwine, Quickbeam