[the phantom]

Group C

Without any doubt the late night match at Angfauglith was the big one, Angband versus Angfauglith- both title contenders and already guaranteed to go into the playoffs. And yet the stadium was filled to capacity to view the evening battle between Hithlum and The Downer.

A few men and elves of Hithlum were there as were supporters of Celegorm and Curufin, but most of the crowd was made up of Angband orcs that had adopted The Downer as a new favorite. Their love of villainy and vile behaviors had won over all of Morgoth's creatures, and even Morgoth himself, who commented only yesterday that if only he didn't have to play he would show up in support of the trouble-maker Downers.

And to start the game the crowd was not disappointed, as The Downer came out actually playing for real for the first time, and with Hithlum rather flat and depressed with no hope of qualifying The Downer soon gained the edge, with Alien showing he could do more than just eat things and throw up, redirecting a nice ball from Hookbill for the 1-0 lead. Not long after, Lalwende MP decided to launch an investigation into Hithlum's defense, and found it guilty of playing uninspired ball. Their punishment- falling behind 2-0.

Some of Hithlum looked content to fold, but Hador would have none of it. He still had pride and wanted everyone to know that they had been eliminated only because of how tough the group was. And he also inspired the Sons of Feanor, reminding them that if they could not score against the bottom team in the group their offensive debut may be considered a failure.

Their newfound intensity slowly spread through their squad, and just before halftime it paid off as Hador himself headed in a nice feed from Curufin. Hithlum stayed with it after the half, but The Downer started getting quite rough with them and held them at bay, as the refs (perhaps influenced by the crowd) were letting defenders get away with a lot.

But as the minutes ticked away The Downer got more and more carried away and soon the refs couldn't help but hand out some cards- Hookbill was caught with a knife in his hand, and Morsul was spotted throwing evil mayonnaise into the eyes of the Hithlum players. But it really came crashing down at minute 71 when Alien was handed his second card for trying to stuff Lorgan into a microwave he'd carried onto the field.

With a man advantage Hithlum really started putting the pressure on King Bus between the posts, and at minute 78 Celegorm gained the equalizer. And not content to stop with momentum going their direction, Hithlum made their fans applaud yet again with but a few minutes left in the contest. It was Celegorm again, this time assisted by his brother.

As time expired The Downer for the first time appeared aware that they had lost a match, but they didn't sound particularly disappointed in the post game interviews. Saucepan Man had this to say: "We're only just learning to play this game, so we had no expectations at all. We'll be back next year and a bit more polished." When asked about cutting down on penalties committed by his team, he laughed. "It's who we are. We have fun, and don't like rules much. I mean- obviously we should try and be more clever with our rule breaking so we aren't caught, but change our character? Nah."

In the other locker room there was more disappointment, but still high levels of optimism for next season. Celegorm and Curufin: "This was a very tough group. What a pity- we feel we were good enough to qualify. But on the bright side I think we proved we can play offense, and against the best defenses. We're very grateful to captain Hador for giving us the opportunity to do this, but next year we'll probably be looking to play with more familiar faces on more familiar ground."

Captain Hador was of a similar feeling. "Yes, we really thought we were good enough to be in the playoffs, but it just didn't work out. Celegorm and Curufin were great to play with- they're very competitive, and I think they've created some demand for their services next season. During this off-season I really need to get to work early with recruiting and get some of my fine house that is playing elsewhere to join me here."

Hithlum 3-2 The Downer
tot shots 20-14
on target 9-6
GOALS:
*17, 0-1 Alien (Hookbill)
*30, 0-2 Lalwende (Peter Hampton)
*43, 1-2 Hador (Curufin)
*78, 2-2 Celegorm (Galdor)
*86, 3-2 Celegorm (Curufin)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Hithlum- Gundor, Lorgan, Galdor
*Downer- Burnt Bert, Hookbill, Alien, John Fillis, Morsul
RED CARDS:
*Downer- Alien (71, second yellow)

As the first match had started as the sun was already setting, night was well underway when the final match of Group C finally prepared to kick off. With normal teams Fingolfin and company might've complained that their own home committee was catering to the scheduling of Angband, but with three Balrogs on his own side vying for the support of Angband fans he didn't really mind.

From the moment the contest started the fans were treated to some excellent football. Thuringwethil and Telvildo on one side and Gwindor and Maeglin on the other showed some quality flash and flare, always a danger to go the distance on a quick attack, but the Balrogs on both defenses were experienced and great athletes themselves, and always managed to do just enough to stave off the goals- squeezing their opponents out of bounds, slightly deflecting passes, kicking balls past the endlines, and so on.

Finally one of the attacks broke through as the first half neared its end. Angband carefully built up the pressure in Angfauglith's half with excellent passing, working it back to their defenders when necessary, who pushed closer and closer. Finally Morgoth made a pinpoint strike to Thuringwethil just inside the box and then, instead of redirecting it at the goal, she sent it across towards the right post perfectly for Tilion who rose up and headed it home.

Knowing that they were set to qualify no matter the result, most of the Angfauglith fans didn't mind applauding lightly, as it had been a fine play. But as the second half began it was clear the players on the field weren't content to qualify- both wished to win and avoid playing the Group F winner, which would nearly certainly be an on-fire Westernesse squad. Angfauglith started bringing the pressure up more aggressively than ever, but this nearly proved their undoing as Angband's midfield outclassed them and stole possession for a quick counter. Thankfully for Angfauglith Rochallor dashed back quick enough to make Telvildo's shot a tough one and Huor grabbed it to preserve the one goal deficit.

But there was no such luck to be had a minute later as again the Angband midfield stole it away. This time it was Ulfang and he boomed it straight down at the goal. Ancalagon winged off immediately at full speed and, just barely before the ball arrived, as per the rules, he touched all four feet to the ground and boomed it in with a crack of his tail for the 2-0 lead!

Many of the upper-deck Angfauglith fans complained that he had contacted the ball while still officially airborne, but the refs had gotten it right and there was nothing to complain about.

But Fingolfin was much too determined a battler to roll over and die, and Angfauglith continued to fight against an increasingly defensive Angband. At minute 70 Angband's midfield again set up the fast break, but Morgoth ordered them to slow it up and eat clock with possession, trusting that Angband could limit Angfauglith to two goals or less. But minutes later it looked like he may have regretted his decision not to go for more as Maeglin made a brilliant run along the end line to force the defense over and he sent the ball perfectly between two of them to the mighty Gothmog who rose above the field and headed it down to cut things to a single goal!

A minute later and they were deep with possession again, but a Gwindor pass back to the defense was disrupted by an anticipating Tilion and suddenly he was past the back defender on the right side and running free with Ancalagon in the middle of the field, Thuringwethil closing from the opposite side, and both squads hot on their heels! Huor looked quite worried as they rushed towards him, but Tilion was forced to give it up as the trusty warhorse Rochallor caught him, and Tilion's pass was barely behind Ancalagon, and in that split second he had to stop, the blurred figure of Fingolfin flashed in front of the mighty dragon and stole it.

Instantly Fingolfin slid to a stop keeping the ball behind him and boomed it back down at the Angband net. The defense of Angband was all caught dashing the wrong way, and the ball bounced and split right between Drauglin and one of the Balrogs, and hot behind the ball was Ecthelion, who seemed to have been the only person on the field not wrong-footed. Ungoliant cursed and readied herself as the elf lord charged into the box uncontested, made her best guess and jumped.

But the lord of Gondolin was not to be denied, booming it the opposite direction and low, and all the Angfauglith supporters screamed. It was tied, and they had a few minutes left to win the group!

Morgoth bellowed to his defenders not to be caught pressing forward for any reason, and told his forwards that defense was their first priority, going so far as to place the quick and speedy Thuringwethil on duty covering Maeglin, and asking Telvildo to shadow Gwindor, while he bodied up against his old general Lord Gothmog.

Angfauglith gave it their best effort, but they just couldn't get it to their forwards, and had to settle for drives from the defenders, all of which went off target or never even made it through the mess between them and the goal. As the final horn sounded the Angband fans celebrated wildly. They had won the group! But Angfauglith held their heads high as well, knowing they had just played even with one of the powers of Arda Cup. They felt ready for anything.

Angband 2-2 Angfauglith
tot shots 12-15
on target 6-7
GOALS:
*37, 1-0 Tilion (Thuringwethil)
*59, 2-0 Ancalagon (Ulfang)
*76, 2-1 Gothmog (Maeglin)
*82, 2-2 Ecthelion (Fingolfin)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Angband- Balrog #2, Tilion
*Angfauglith- Balrog #5, Gwindor, Balrog #4

Final Results: Group C

Angband 7 pts 9-4 (+5)
Angfauglith 7pts 9-6 (+3)

Hithlum 3 pts 8-10 (-2)
The Downer 0 pts 3-9 (-6)

Angband will meet the runner-up from Group F in the playoffs, while Angfauglith will play the Group F winner.