[the phantom]

With only two rounds of friendlies this year, and a promise of no rematches in groups, the practice games have seen excellent attendance and viewership- not to mention a slightly higher level of play. Checking in on the most recent round of games, first at Taniquetil...

The Sea 1-0 Valimar
on target 5-2
tot shots 13-9
GOALS:
*38, 1-0 Tar Minastir (Tar Meneldur)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Sea- Voronwe, Osse
*Valimar- Este

A low-scoring affair here, but not bad to watch. Both squads showed respectable offensive chops, but the defenses were generally more than a match for them, and there was no rhythm to be found. Arien seemed a bit frustrated, perpetually shadowed by Osse or Uinen, stuck to her like a wet shirt. And in fact she may have been right to gripe at the officials, as the sea-folk were continually dousing her flames by splashing water on her. In the end The Sea proved stingier, and Amarie and Este got crossed up on assignments leaving Tar Minastir an avenue to the net.

And at Bree...

Shire-Bree United 2-1 The Barrow-Downs
on target 6-4
tot shots 13-13
GOALS:
*39, 1-0 Gandalf (Ferny)
*60, 1-1 Bombadil (Saucepan Man)
*86, 2-1 Khamul (Gandalf)
YELLOW CARDS:
*SBUnt- Nazgul#4, Shadowfax, Bandobras, Ferny
*BDowns- GwathWight, Hookbill, LalwendeMP

Though most of the offense departed, it seems SBree can still score with Gandalf plugged in, and their defense did look more impressive than last season. But The Downs still gave them a game and made them work for the win, highlighted by a brilliant run by Bombadil (who else?).

Meanwhile, at Goblin Town...

Imladris 2-2 Misty Mts
on target 7-6
tot shots 16-16
GOALS:
*16, 1-0 Elladan (Arahael)
*37, 1-1 Orophin (Narvi)
*65, 2-1 Elrohir (Lindir)
*84, 2-2 Azog (Orophin)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Imlad- Galdor, Elladan, Erestor, Celebrian, Arahael, Elrohir
*MMts- Azog, GreatGoblin, William, Rumil, Caradhras, DBane
RED CARDS:
*Imlad- Elladan (29, second yellow)
*MMts- Great Goblin (48, second yellow)

A lot of cards were handed out here, and honestly a couple others should've been booted off if only the refs had spotted what they were doing. Evidently the sons of Elrond haven't forgiven the captivity and torture of their mother, nor have the goblins forgotten the piles of goblins they slew in revenge. Goals were generally scored on account of one player or another getting thrown down or injured (or epically failing to do so to another) leaving an opening for the offense. At the start the game went more the way of Imaldris, but the open field that resulted from the send-offs seemed to favor Misty, and at the finish they were looking less ragged.

And finally at Helm's Deep...

Isengard 1-2 Rohan
on target 5-6
tot shots 13-14
GOALS:
*32, 0-1 Eowyn (Faramir)
*36, 1-1 Saruman (Lugdush)
*63, 1-2 Helm (Faramir)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Isen- Mauhur, Wormtongue, Wulf
*Rohan- Erkenbrand, Brytta, Snowmane

Many were expected similar violence in this clash, but with a couple Ents on the Isengard side and Saruman exerting great control over his bunch, it was a rather ordinary match. The Rohan defense did a fine job denying Saruman touches, and in the end Helm himself made the difference, as Faramir and Eowyn sucked in the Ent defenders with some nice ball work then hung it up for Helm and he beat Mauhur and Lugdush for it.