[the phantom]

Group C at Moria

The match between Anduin and Wilderland kicked off the moment the sun peeked over the high wall of Dimrill Dale. The Elves of Mirkwood and Lothlorien were revved up and ready for the game, but some of the men of the Anduin vales were a bit groggy, and the Dwarves that spilled out from Moria made it just in time for the late morning start.

Both teams were wide awake, however, and playing their games. Wilderland got it to their front four as quickly as possible and let them go to work, while Anduin defended stiffly and built up team attacks. In the early going the defenders were fresh and the passes a bit nervous on the big stage, so no attempts of note were gained.

Finally after 35 minutes had passed Wilderland's big guns truly found their stride. Orome held a defender on his back and with a quick and powerful stride left him in the dust. After a quick move past another defender he forced the keeper to commit and served it across to Galadriel for the easy chip-in. Minutes later before the half ended it was Scatha and Elwe scoring in similar team-up fashion, leaving Fram quite upset- as he had been determined to keep the dragon off the scorecard. Wilderland fans were feeling comfortable indeed during the break.

Knowing they had to take some risks to get back in it, Anduin started the second half more aggressively, and despite the change in play style they took to it well and put some nice pressure on Wilderland's back line, particularly since Wilderland's front was unwilling to help much, always looking to be sprung on a counter. In minute 63 Anduin finally changed their side of the scoreboard, as Fram sent a surprise boomer from near the sideline at midfield and found Haldir in stride, and the Elf headed it deftly over the onrushing keeper.

Encouraged by their success Anduin continued the pressure, but the Great Warg between the posts held them at bay with a couple of miracle saves. As desperation grew Anduin began to grow weary, and finally Wilderland sprung the deadly counter they had been attempting to gain all through the half. With Fram helping with the attack, it was the mighty tail of Scatha freed up to put it in and place the game out of reach, and the Wilderland fans began the celebration, knowing the game was out of reach. They were out to the early group lead!

Anduin 1-3 Wilderland
on target 6-6
tot shots 13-16
GOALS:
*36, 0-1 Galadriel (Orome)
*44, 0-2 Elwe (Scatha)
*63, 1-2 Haldir (Fram)
*78, 1-3 Scatha (Galadriel)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Anduin- Fram, Leod, Lenwe
*Wilder- Fimbrethil, Scatha

After the impressive performance by Wilderland in the first game, Dwarves United and Erebor were quite keen to gain a full three points from their night match. The Dwarves of Moria were out in force, and their chanting, stamping, and drumming made the underground arena shake. But the Erebor players were not easily shaken- the likes of Smaug, Gwaihir, and Beorn aren't particularly easy to rattle.

Dwarves United found this out immediately as Erebor opened at a breakneck pace and with high physicality, and the refs were letting them play. Bombur was forced to use his considerable bulk twice in the opening five minutes already, and Aule's side looked nervous. But Aule and Celebrimbor were able to do just enough to keep the sheet clean, and after a furious 20 minutes Erebor's attack began to lose its flow, and the crowd picked up their support.

By the very end of the half it was Dwarves United controlling things. The craftsman in the midfield were moving things beautifully, however they could not crack the back of Erebor. Their primary scoring threat, Legolas, was hounded by the eagles, giving him no room to operate.

As the second half kicked off it looked like more of the same, and the fans grew restless. But it turned out Erebor was resting up for a big mid-half push, which they unleashed after the opening 20 minutes, and the Dwarves didn't know what hit them. Aule and Celebrimbor kept Smaug and Thranduil locked up tight, but the mid-attackers of Erebor were lethal and effective. First it was Bard finding the back of the net, and then it was Bolg surprising the defense with a deep run, and just like that Erebor had a two-goal lead!

Dwarves United tried to fight back with the stadium behind them, but quick scores against the speedy eagles and Beorn just wasn't going to happen for them, and Aule and company soon found themselves standing around on the field watching the Erebor players hug and high-fiving their fans. The second of the two Group C favorites had joined Wilderland at the top of the standings!

Dwarves United 0-2 Erebor
on target 3-7
tot shots 9-16
GOALS:
*70, 0-1 Bard (Nazgul #7)
*77, 0-2 Bolg (Landroval)
YELLOW CARDS:
*DwUnt- Thorin, Thror
*Erebor- Meneldor