[Boromir88]

Friendlies - Round 3 Results

Barad-Dur vs Minas Morgul

This was one of the harder fought friendlies of the year since neither team liked eachother that much. The Last Alliance companions were hoping to improve on their draw against The Downer, while Minas Morgul was just hoping their ability to consistantly outshoot their opponents would finally get them a deserved victory.

It turns out to be the same tale for Minas Morgul, outshooting and getting better shots than Barad-dur but losing yet again 3-1. Just when everyone thought surely Earnur's save percentage had bottomed out, it got plummeted even lower, now well below 50%. The first goal he gave up, was a clear mistake on Earnur's part. Shagrat hit a weak roller that Earnur had covered, but it rolled up, bouncing off his chest, right to The Mouth who put it in the back of the net. There's no question Earnur should have held on to that one and afterwards his confidence was broken, or was he just telling the Witch-King he wants traded? Surely it can't dip below 40%...can it?

Barad-Dur 3-1 Minas Morgul
tot shots 11-16
on target 4-9
GOALS:
*29, 1-0 Mouth (Shagrat)
*41, 2-0 Gil-galad (Isildur)
*63, 2-1 Beruthiel (Witch King)
*81, 3-1 Mouth (Isildur)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Barad-Dur- Fellbeast #1, Gothmog II
*MMorgul- Castamir, Nazgul #2, Herumor

Eregion vs Lothlorien

An extremely kind and boring game. The only goal came from Earendil who was turned away from the goal, but spun around and shot blindly. He looked surprised as it went sailing past Galadriel into the goal, as if he didn't even mean, or particularly want to score. Galadriel was angry about her lax defenders on the goal, but Lothlorien fans will start becoming more angry if Galadriel doesn't show a change of tactics. The only shots came off Feanor's attempt, who yet again was often the lone attacker. He created a few great chances, but a keeper of Elrond's caliber, you have to be flawless to put it passed him.

After the game Feanor was hot and tempered, he went straight to the locker room and did not answer any questions from the media. Signing with Lothlorien is looking like a decision Feanor is going to regret.

Eregion 1-0 Lothlorien
tot shots 9-7
on target 4-3
GOALS:
*53, 1-0 Earendil (Elrohir)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Eregion-
*Lothlorien- Shadowfax, Feanor

Eriador vs Shire-Bree United

This was an overall, exciting and fun game to behold. Aragorn and his ranger companions were happy to play with the hobbits who looked upon the rangers as big brothers. They were the hobbits' protectors and like normal big brothers, they were clearly stronger and more athletic, but they did not want to make the hobbits feel bad, so they were kindly and relaxed after grabbing the 3-1 lead with a little of 20 minutes remaining.

The Hobbits took advantage of Eriador's kindness with Bandobras pulling SB United 1 goal closer in the 86th minute. Even when getting it 3-2 the rangers let the hobbits have possession to try for a thrilling equalizing goal in stoppage time. However, Arvedui was not going to purposefully tank the game just to give the hobbits some confidence, if there was going to be an equalizer, he made sure they would deserve it on a good goal. Alas it was not so, but both teams left happy with the results.

Aragorn in particular, after the game had some high praise for SB United: "I'm pleased they were able to make it only a 1 goal difference. They know how to play attacking football and honestly gave our defense fits several times. I think they have a great chance to shock the world by making it out of their difficult Group A."

Eriador 3-2 Shire-Bree United
tot shots 13-15
on target 8-6
GOALS:
*10, 1-0 Aragorn (BWight)
*32, 2-0 Aranarth (Amlaith)
*61, 2-1 Samwise (Merry)
*67, 3-1 Araphor (Halbarad)
*86, 3-2 Bandobras (Frodo)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Eriador- Bert, Amlaith
*SBUnited- Harry, Bill

Gondor vs Mordor

Like Barad-dur and Minas Morgul this was a match between rivals and it was hardly fought. Both teams went for the win all 90 minutes and Gondor proved the better. Even after getting up 2-0 in the 1st half Gondor game outin the 2nd trying to get a quick 3rd goal and make this a true embarrasment for their enemies. But the Silent Watcher corrects his problems from the 1st half and locked down the goal in the 2nd. Mordor was able to score on a quick counter orchestrated by none other than their team of Nazgul. Mordor will have to get more production from their other players if they wish to advance from the group stage. While Gondor has shown they can beat their friends and their enemies, and play even with their ancestors.

Gondor 2-1 Mordor
tot shots 11-11
on target 5-4
GOALS:
*19, 1-0 Eldacar (Ostoher)
*39, 2-0 Eorl (Arwen)
*77, 2-1 Nazgul #7 (Nazgul #6)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Gondor- Turambar, Folcwine, Romendacil
*Mordor- Shelob, Gollum, Snaga

Tol In Gaurhoth vs Wilderland

Tol In Gaurhoth came out inspired looking to prove to their former boss, Sauron, that they had grown much stronger and faster than in 2008. The Phantomwolf, to no one's surprise came out most anxious to show Sauron what he's capable of, as those two were once the deadliest MF-FW duo in Arda. Sauron had his team well prepared for T-I-G's tricks, but was slightly surprised by their committed effort which allowed the werewolves to get a quick goal. Sauron then ramped up his efforts, as he would not let his former servants have an easy time with the game.

The dragons then began exerting their will and power against the WW defenders, and the dragons both scored giving Wilderland a 2-1 lead. Phantomwolf would not accept a defeat today, as yet again he was involved in a goal, placing a perfect pace to Gwathwolf, perhaps trying to show Sauron it was he who used to receive those excellent passes? The teams left content with the result though, since they both had a beneficial work out having been pushed by their opponents.

Tol In Gaurhoth 2-2 Wilderland
tot shots 14-12
on target 7-8
GOALS:
*12, 1-0 PhantomWolf (GaladWolf)
*64, 1-1 Smaug (Sauron)
*71, 1-2 Scatha (Radagast)
*81, 2-2 GwathWolf (PhantomWolf)
YELLOW CARDS:
*TIG- SkipWolf, InzilWolf, NerWolf
*Wilderland- Alatar, Oropher