In the first match we have Nargothrond take on Niggle's Parish in what should be a one sided game, with Nargothrond clear favorites. In the other match we'll see Fangorn face off against newcomers Old Grey Hill. Fangorn were crticized for their team selection but perhaps this is their chance to silence their critics.
***
Group C
Niggle's Parish 1 - 4
Nargothrond
(Atkins 27th) (Mormegil 31st, 53rd, 88th, Felagund 33rd)
Unbelivable... after a very quiet start that was mostly spent with Nargothrond attempting to piece together some attacks but often floundered due to some fault of their own. Then... around the 27th minute... the impossible happened. Niggle's Parish broke on the counter attack,
Inspector found the ball at his feet and crossed in for an unmarked
Atkins to score a frightfully easy goal.
Niggle's freak lead did not last too long as a few minutes later
Felagund played in
Mormegil who held off two defenders and equalized. Niggle's Parish would have been more than happy with just a point but apparently it was not to be as moments after Nargothrond equalized, they took the lead. A well built move that was built around
Gundor was superbly finished off when
Gundor crossed in for
Felagund to head Nargothrond ahead.
The second half began much like the first with Nargothrond building up small attacks. This time though, they found the cutting edge.
Mormegil managed to snatch the ball from
Perkins at the halfway line and made a fantastic run to the area where he slotted in with ease putting the result beyond doubt. Nargothrond played around Niggle's Parish now, upstaging them at every possible moment. However when
Mormegil had a chance to complete his hat trick after fleuent passing with
Felagund put him clear, he blasted it in. Making him the first player to score a hat trick in this tournament.
Shots: 1(1) - 12(8)
Posession: 37 - 63
Group E
Fangorn 1 - 1 Old Grey Hill
(Skinbark 60th) (Guest 74th)
There really isn't much to say about this match. It was fairly straightforward. Neither team really commit much to attack and it seemed they both weren't really trying here. Apart from the goal each there isn't anything really worth noting.
Treebeard provided the pass that led to
Skinbark's headed goal. Old Grey Hill equalized when
Guest nabbed the ball from a defender and drove in the eqalizer.
Shots: 2(1) - 1(1)
Posession: 55 - 45
***
Nargothrond certainly showed some of the big guns how to avoid an upset. Once they score, you pop in a bunch and then just stare blankly at them while they cower behind the corner flag... or something to that effect. Fangorn should be sorely disappointed with the draw. Perhaps their lack of firepower up front is to be blamed for this.