[Boromir88]

The Forest at Eregion

The talk before the game at Eregion was mostly centered around none other than Bombadil. He had shown more interest in the games this year and than in the past. Many had speculated why and came up with just as many reasons as those wondering who Bombadil was. He was 'The Master', the Master of what though? The Master of the pitch? No one would dispute his skills, but Elrond and Eregion would have something to say to the newly appointed title for Bombadil.

There was a sliver of doubt in the hearts and minds of the Eregion fans though. Not only had they confidentally swept the group and were treated an extra delight by hosting another game in the beautiful Ost-in-Edhil Stadium, but Eregion had a better team effort than The Forest. There was no disputing this, when talking about The Master, there is always a sliver of a doubt.

Right before the match was ready to kick off, the Eregion fans reasoned that Bombadil's inspired play was due to not only playing in The Old Forest, but playing for his forest. So, how would his powers be outside his realm? And there was Elrond. Elrond was not going to allow a single player, no matter how good he was, beat them.

*~*~*

Elves, Men, Huorns, and even many Hobbits came to fill Ost-in-Edhil, and as the sun was setting the stadium was starting to let out it's radiant, warm, glow. Eregion were sure to be gracious hosts to The Forest, and the Ents appeared in good spirits, playing in the land of Holly. The stage was set, the atmosphere was intense, but welcoming, let the games begin.

It began with joyous songs from the Eregion crowd, urging their team on, but in the first few minutes the songs died down and they began to get nervous. Celebrimbor had no answer for Bombadil, and Eregion's defense was forced to it's back heels right at the start. It wasn't just Bombadil either, as Tom's singing eventually overtook the songs of the Eregion fans and Bombadil's teammates became inspired to push for the lead. Hey merry do! Hopalong me friends! Follow Bombadillo!

If the crowd was biting their nails and scratching their arms until they bled, you could not have seen it in Elrond's face. Despite Celebrimbor not being able to slow down Bombadil, Bombadil did not seem to have the extra gear to beat a GK like Elrond. They were foolish to doubt their Lord Elrond and with each calm, cool, professional save confidence was being restored in the home town fans.

For one of the rarest moments, Bombadil was beginning to show emotion and he was completely befuddled. Every match has defining turning points, which you usually don't find until after it's all over. This would be one of those defining moments. Bombadil judged with how stretched the Elven defense was getting, if The Forest swarmed and overwhelmed the area in front of Elrond, the great GK would eventually crack. The crowd began biting their nails, and getting nervous again, as The Forest was coming in an all out attack. Then in half a second, the silence turned into rioutous applause. Bombadil blasted a rocket towards the top right corner, but Elrond lept into the air to catch it! What a save!

When Elrond peculiarly passed the ball out to Asfaloth (normally Celebrimbor gets it), the Eregion team seemed to notice what their Lord did and what he wanted. The Forest team was caught forward, and Asfaloth is known for a mighty hoof. The great horse reared back and launched the ball into The Forest's half. No one was around Lindir when he collected it. The trees are a stiff defense, but sometimes too stiff, and when Celebrimbor rushed forward it was an easy 1-2 tap into the back of the net. The Old Willow was completely rooted and didn't even seem to give half an effort to save it.

Now the Elves, and Men close to Elves, in the stands were truly alive. They could not only breathe relief, but with the joy of leading 1-0 they could get back to their merry drinking and singing. Bombadil tried to make another push to get an equalizer, but with Eregion's defense calmed and gathered together, Eregion began getting the lions share of the possession in the later minutes of the half. Spectators were noticing, without saying a word Earendil appeared to be thanking his son and Celebrimbor for holding on and now it was time for Eregion's strikers to take control.

Breaking the treeish defense plus the stout Haleth was not an easy task. Still, it was The Forest's defense this time, which was getting pushed to the brink as they desperately wanted to just go into the half, keeping it a 1-goal defecit. Sadly, it was not to be. With 2 minutes remaining in the 1st, Glorfindel sniped a shot that Old Man Willow tried to swat away, but the ball bent around his branches and Eregion would walk into the lockers leading 2-0.

The 2nd half appeared to be a formality, as the life and spirit was sucked out of The Forest. How would they get 3 goals in 45 minutes off a goalie like Elrond? Bombadil gave it his best try to begin the half, but this time he could not sing his team into support. And even Bombadil was lacking the same lovably annoying tune to his rhymes. So, when Earendil capped off the scoring in the 68th minute, everyone knew that was the match (if they hadn't known that already).

Bombadil wasn't spotted in the remaining 20 minutes, but Elrond showed no desire to try another goal and simply held onto possession. It must be said that Tom showed a much greater interest in the games this cup, even if he'd be going out with a 3-0 defeat. It was just not enough to beat Elrond, when he's playing in front of his home crowd. A lot was made about Bombadil and The Barrow-wight parting ways, and now one has to wonder how long will it be before the Old tree is sent away to hibernate?

Eregion 3-0 The Forest
tot shots 15-12
on target 8-5
GOALS:
*24, 1-0 Celebrimbor (Lindir)
*43, 2-0 Glorfindel (Elrond)
*68, 3-0 Earendil (Elrohir)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Eregion- Figwit
*The Forest- Haleth, Treebeard, Saeros

Eregion will advance to the quarter finals to play winner of Angband - Tol Eressea