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As a sign of good will Angband had chosen to host their game against Romenna on the fields of Ard-Galen, and not in their usual cavernous underground stadium deep under the Thangorodrim. That was the official story anyhow. In reality, Angband had never before acted on an altruistic agenda, and few believed good will had anything to do with the decision now either. The fact that there were no Orcs in the line-up, but several Men and Elves, coupled with this new-look team’s dependence on speed, movement and skill, rather than than on intimidation and sheer power, were likelier to have been the reason for the choice, commentators judged.

The day began in full sunshine, and the visiting Romenna players and fans could not believe their luck. It was a beautiful day for football and the pitch was in perfect condition, the complete opposite of what they’d expected from an away game at Angband. A few hours before kick-off the Romenna fans singing stuck in their throats however. Thangorodrim started to belch out fumes and black smoke, and the sun was dimmed. The earth trembled under their feet, and there was a noise as of rolling thunder coming from the very earth, seemingly. As Ancalagon entered the pitch a there was a flash of lightning, and the howling of Carcaroth chilled the visiting fans to the bone. This would be no walk in the park.

As play got under way, the Angband fans, mostly Orcs and Easterling, made a rhythmic but unsettling noise beating bones and skulls upon each other, many of them unearthed from the Haudh-en-Ndengi nearby. The Romenna players and fans looked disgusted and upset, but there was little they could do but go on now. Soon the Numenorian team was struggling to stay alive themselves. Angband came out firing on all cylinders, and attacked with fury on both wings and the centre. The tall and brave Numenorian centre backs did an excellent job containing the aerial threat of Ancalagon however, and Maeglin had a hard time getting into space too. Romenna themselves found it very difficult to get players into decent attacking positions, and when they did, they were too undermanned. In the 34th minute they got the chance they were looking for as Ulfast slipped, giving the ball away. Now they attacked with six players against only three Angbad defenders, but Vardamir hesitated, and then tried to play a difficult pass that was easily intercepted. Uldor was quick to react on the chance to counter and sent a long ball up towards Ancalagon, who was challenged by Aldarion, but none of them could reach the ball and as it dropped behind them Thuringwethil came from nowhere, fluttered past the last man and all alone with the Romenna number one she beat Elros with a delicate chip. The capacity crowd roared with glee and hatred.

Now Romenna were forced to attack, but still they came nowhere against a very solid Angband. The fans tried to urge them on, but they too were undermanned and the home crowd’s ridicule always reached the Romenna player’s ears before the encouragement did. Still they battled valiantly, and Angband could not score again until much of the second half had passed. And too be fair, the goal should not have been allowed. Hurin, who had had a quiet game until then, suddenly exploded into action, dribbling past Anarion and then Tar-Ancalime, but when the ball got away from him he went down in a heap, crying foul and appearing to be seriously hurt. The crowd was furious and under pressure the referee pointed to the spot. That was a blatant dive from Hurin, who brushed himself off with a grin, getting back onto his feet. Ancalagon stepped up and put away the penalty kick, but that’s no way to lose a football match!

The Romenna players protested, and the fans booed Hurin, the last one they’d expect to pull a trick like that on them, but to no avail. Now the intensity of the match ebbed out a little, as Angband tried successfully to keep possession of the ball, while Romnenna chased shadows mostly. They did get a few half-chances to reduce the deficit, and had they done so it might have been an exiting finish, but this was not to be their day. The full time whistle went and Angband had advanced to the quarter finals. Comfortably.

Angband 2-0 Romenna
shots 14-9
on target 6-3
GOALS:
*34, Angband (Thuringwethil, Uldor)
*67, Angband pen (Ancalagon, Hurin)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Angband- Drauglin, Balrog #5, Hurin
*Romenna- Tar Ancalime, Vardamir