[Boromir88]

The match fans were anticipating, Barrow-Downs vs. Gorgoroth, only disappointed in one way, there was no clear winner. Fans got to see some well-played football, and both teams made adjustments trying to gain an advantage.

In the first half, Nogrod and wilwa were unable to do anything against Gorgoroth's aggressive defense. Some would shake their heads in disgust and call Gorgoroth's defense "dirty," but I'd disagree. The tackles I'd call dirty, are ones that come from behind, because you could seriously injure a player that way. However, in the 1st half Gorgoroth's defense played spectacular, keeping the Barrow-Downs FWs in front of them, and making it difficult to get any quality shots. Most of Gorgoroth's yellow cards were picked up at mid-field on just silly tackles, or in Gollum's case, grabbing Fea's arm and trying to bite off the band of stirling silver on her finger.

In the 2nd half, the Barrow-Downs clearly figured out how to best attack Gorgoroth's defenses, and began to take control of the match. It was only a matter of time before they scored in the 60th minute it happened on a delicately placed cross from wilwa, to the far-post where Nogrod was there to put it in. Nazgul #1 protested that Nogrod was offsides, but the ref would hear none of it, and replay proves Nog timed the offsides trap perfectly.

Gorgoroth was not going to concede defeat easily, Castamir stepped up the fury of Gorgoroth's attacks, but the BD defense held firm. But, It was clear Castamir was not going to accept a defeat, and the Barrow-Downs' were unable to keep possession in Gorgoroth's half for long. The defense could not buy a break to regroup themselves and in the 81st minute it cost them, when Castamir sent in a rocket to the top cross-bar that Eomerwarg had no chance to save.

The match was even and after the difficult 80+ minutes both teams played, they were content to keep the score 1-1. When they face eachother again, in group play, it will not be the same story.

Barrow-Downs 1-1 Gorgoroth
tot shots 12-11
on target 5-5
GOALS:
*60, 1-0 Nogrod (Wilwa)
*81, 1-1 Castamir (King Dead)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Barrow-Downs- Nerwen
*Gorgoroth- Gollum, Angamaite, Gorbag, King Dead

Aman 2-0 Bywater
tot shots 10-10
on target 4-4
GOALS:
*38, 1-0 Ar Pharazon (Nahar)
*65, 2-0 Earwen (Turgon)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Aman- Irmo, Orome
*Bywater- Fatty, Ferny, Saruman

Barad-Dur 1-1 Gelion
tot shots 12-7
on target 5-3
GOALS:
*57, 0-1 Beren (Haldad)
*76, 1-1 Isildur (Sauron)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Barad-Dur- Nazgul #7, Anarion, Fellbeast
*Gelion- Beren, Caranthir

Beleriand 0-2 Tirion
tot shots 6-12
on target 2-6
GOALS:
*24, 0-1 Mahtan (Finwe)
*49, 0-2 Ingwe (Nerdanel)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Beleriand- Handir, Imlach
*Tirion- Orodreth, Amras