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The Arda Cup draws closer by the day and last night’s friendlies proved a tasty hor'dourve to whet the appetite ahead of the main meal. One of the major draws of the tournament is Breeland superstar Tom Bombadil, and judging by his performance last night, he will not fail to entertain at the big stage. At kick-off however, Bombadil was once again missing. The River-Woman said he’d gone looking for his cow who’d gone astray, and that was that. Nob took Bombadil’s place in the starting line-up, but without their talismanic striker, Breeland was struggling to keep up with their skillful opponents from the Havens, who went into the halftime break one goal up, and it could easily have been worse for Bree if it wasn’t for a few decent saves from the Old Man Willow. He will take heart from that.

Only minutes ahead of the second half kick-off, Bombadil suddenly returned, and as soon as he came on to the field Breeland looked a whole new team and more fluid in attack than a student's Friday night diet. After only minutes on the field Bombadil himself had equalized with a fine left-footed volley, and soon after that he hit the post after a flamboyant solo run. The undaunted Havens struck back though with a fine Tar Aldarion header, but Breeland continued to surge forward and looked threatening every time they gained possession of the ball. Bombadil was again instrumental as the Breelanders evened the score a second time. Whistling like a zoo-store full of canary-birds, he held up the ball in his own half, fending off several challenges before finding Halbarad in his stride with a sweeping 70-yard ball, and the ranger’s early low cross was directed into the net by Strider. The Havens was to have the last say though as Eärendil took advantage of some sloppy Breeland defending and beat Old Man Willow with a well placed shot. Perhaps the creaky old tree should have done better with that effort.

Results from tonight's friendlies:

Breeland 2-3 Havens
tot shots 16-18
on target 7-9
GOALS:
*31, 0-1 Tar Minastir (Cirdan)
*49, 1-1 Bombadil (Barrow-Wight)
*56, 1-2 Tar Aldarion (Uinen)
*67, 2-2 Strider (Halbarad)
*80, 2-3 Earendil
YELLOW CARDS:
*Breeland- Strider, Harry
*Havens- Lindo, Uinen, Eriol

Bywater 2-2 Pelennor
tot shots 14-8
on target 7-4
GOALS:
*32, 1-0 Bandobras (Gandalf)
*48, 2-0 Gildor (Saruman)
*73, 2-1 Imrahil (Eowyn)
*83, 2-2 Gothmog II (Duinhir)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Bywater- Saruman, Nazgul #3
*Pelennor- Eowyn, Duinhir, Forlong

Dol Guldur 2-2 Gondor
tot shots 18-14
on target 7-6
GOALS:
*26, 0-1 Mardil (Beruthiel)
*42, 0-2 Hyarmendacil (Mardil)
*70, 1-2 Bolg (Witch King)
*81, 2-2 Beorn (Grimbeorn)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Dol Guldur- Grimbeorn, Attercop, Thrain
*Gondor- Ondoher, Fastred, Ostoher

Doriath 0-2 Numenor
tot shots 4-15
on target 1-8
GOALS:
*55, 0-1 Tar Telperien (Tar Miriel)
*63, 0-2 Elros (Tar Palantir)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Doriath- Daeron, Haldir, Haleth, Algund
*Numenor- Ar Adunakhor, Tar Cirytan