[the phantom]

Anduin 2-2 Dunharrow
tot shots 14-14
on target 9-5
GOALS:
*22, 1-0 Beorn (Durin)
*44, 1-1 Thengel (Theodred)
*60, 2-1 Earnil II (Telumehtar)
*85, 2-2 Helm (Theodred)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Anduin- Rumil, Beorn
*Dunharrow- Folca

As most people expected this match was a very cordial one, each team giving the other chances to work out some kinks. Since many of them are friends and relatives it made sense. The score ended in a nice tie, but only because Aldor had a notably strong game in goal for Dunharrow.

Angfauglith 2-3 Doriath
tot shots 15-16
on target 8-8
GOALS:
*37, 0-1 Mablung (Eol)
*40, 1-1 Gothmog (Gwindor)
*63, 2-1 Gothmog (Maeglin)
*65, 2-2 Turin (Beleg)
*85, 2-3 Hurin (Luthien)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Angfauglith- Azaghal, Maeglin
*Doriath- Carcharoth, Eol

This was a very fun match, with both squads playing competitively but good-natured. There was a good deal of beautiful movement on the pitch, especially helped by the fact that the defenses were trying to play hands-off and very clean. The defenses held for the first half hour, but they couldn't keep the highly talented skill players off the board forever. Mablung of Doriath was first to draw blood with a booming drive, as he and Eol came up in support of the attack. Gothmog of Angfauglith struck back before the half off a nice cross from Gwindor.

He scored again to begin the second half, only this time it was Maeglin sucking the defense over before giving it up to the Balrog lord. But Doriath evened things up just two minutes later, the familiar duo of Turin and Beleg doing the damage. Both squads went for the win, but it was Doriath that got it with five minutes left, as Hurin managed to sneak inside on the left side and Luthien expertly found him for the header.

Esgaroth 0-3 Misty Mts
tot shots 7-14
on target 3-8
GOALS:
*52, 0-1 Saruman (DBane)
*58, 0-2 Azog (Saruman)
*74, 0-3 Great Goblin (Meneldor)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Esgaroth- Dain, Thorin, Tomnoddy, Mayor, Attercop
*Misty Mts- Landroval, William, Chief Wolf

Both squads played at half speed during the first period but turned it up a bit for the second, which is when Misty Mts suddenly put the ball in. They pulled up after 2-0, but they scored again anyway as Esgaroth pushed everyone forward and Galion booted an awful pass inexplicably right to Meneldor, and he sent it straight up the field to Great Goblin who took it the rest of the way.

Himring 0-2 The Forest
tot shots 8-14
on target 3-7
GOALS:
*43, 0-1 Thranduil (River Woman)
*57, 0-2 Bombadil (Skinbark)
YELLOW CARDS:
*Himring- Uldor, Borlach
*Forest- Quickbeam, Saeros

The trees were curiously roused for this one, possibly due to Bombadil actually showing up, and the defense of Himring was hard pressed to get the ball moving forward up to Fingon and Maedhros, who had few opportunities to impact the score. After the contest Maedhros insisted that his defense and midfield were simply unfamiliar with Ents and that they'd perform much better next time around.

Minas Tirith 2-3 The Downer
tot shots 14-16
on target 7-7
GOALS:
*12, 1-0 Faramir (Eomer)
*43, 1-1 Alien (Peter Hampton)
*50, 2-1 Imrahil (Faramir)
*68, 2-2 Saucepan Man (Hookbill)
*86, 2-3 Saucepan Man (Lalwende)
YELLOW CARDS:
*MTirith- Eowyn
*Downer- Lalwende, Philip Hampton, Hookbill, Burnt Bert

The Downer was quite intense from the start, but Minas Tirith took it in stride and matched it, scoring quite soon. After that they were content to sit back and see what Downer had to offer. After getting ahead in the second half they did the same thing, only this time The Downer not only responded but unexpectedly grabbed the lead on a quick counter as time was ticking down. Minas Tirith was irritated as they had just planned on staying tied and didn’t realize Downer was going to gun for the win.