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Old 12-13-2005, 04:09 PM   #139
Sleepy Ranger
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
 
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: On the field, kissing the 'Downs crest
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Pipe Quarter-Finals

Match 1
Live from Tol Eressa

Valimar 0 - 2 Angband

Surprisingly Valimar didn't really put on much of a match here as Angband seemed to cruise past them to book a spot in the semi-finals. Continuing on in their cocky manner Melkor scored late in the first half on his first chance. Angaband's second goal came in the form of a mis-timed pass which found its way to Melkor's feet, who crossed it into the box for Gothmog to head it in.

If Angband left us any doubts after their match against Numenor they certainly cleared them after this match. Still strong favorites and they have strong chances of winning the cup.

Match 2
Live from Quoteable-Quotes

Barrow-Downs 6 - 3 Arnor

Sleepy Ranger marked his return to the 'Downs team with a hat-trick and a 90th minute goal to save the match. The crowd was behind Sleepy all the way seeing as the match was at his domestic team's stadium. Arnor started off the match rather strongly going for goal right away. In the first half Arnor scored two goals courtesy of Arathorn but the second half saw the 'Downs fighting back as Sleepy Ranger receieved a long ball sent out from the back by Glirdan and took a rather long shot that bounced off the post and into the goal to pull Arnor back one.

But it didn't take Arnor long to re-consolidate its lead after a low shot by Arvedui found its mark. At 3-1 Barrow-Downs seemed to be in deep trouble but a 67th minute goal by Saucepanman began to make things seem brighter for the World Cup hosts. The Barrow-Downs hard fought effort payed off in the closing minutes when a Fea corner was converted into a goal by Sleepy Ranger. Level on 3 - 3 the two teams headed into extra time where by a reversal of fate the 'Downs stole the match.

Saucepanman scored the first goal of extra time after recieving a pass from the phantom and it was the phantom who scored the fifth goal of a well taken free-kick. The home boy and fan favorite Sleepy Ranger signed the match with a hard curving kick from the edge of the box, it seemed to be headed high and wide but a sudden curve and drop saw it safely past the goalkeeper and into the goal.

Heres a classic example of coming back from a bad start, though it may have seemed at more than one point that this was not going to be the Barrow-Downs night, they managed to pull through. I can see them lifting the cup at the end of it all.

Match 3
Live from Dol Amroth

Gondor 1 - 2 Nargothrond

Well this certainly wasn't much of a match. Faramir sunk in an early goal but Nargothrond sealed it thanks to a double by Turin in the opening stages of the second half. Gondor's superb offense seemed to lack in this match and they were just outplayed by a far superior team. Its goodbye to Gondor and lets see just how far Nargothrond can actually get.

Nargothrond are a good team but I doubt they can make it to the finals.

Match 4
Live from Hobbiton

Shire 3 - 0 Mordor

What an upset, what an expected upset. Shire's mid-field totally out-classed Mordor and Mordor's defense couldn't touch Gondor's offense. Merry and Pippin started of by passing the ball around before a high cross to Gandalf seemed to be the first goal however it was give off-side. It didn't matter since the free kick was poorly taken and Merry scored from hardly 10m out. Not a minute later Pippin scored off a wild shot that didn't seem to be going in even for a second but somehow ended up in the back of the net. The third goal was scored by Pippin when Merry was taken down by an awkward tackle in the box. The penalty was picture perfect, the goalie dived and the ball went straight past him.

A [surprising] win for the Shire and one they can be proud of. The may make it to the finals but thats to be seen. The semi-finals draw will be tough and it remains to be seen which team has what it takes.
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Middle-Earth Football World Cup 2007
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