Match Report by Rob Crozier:
A night to forgot for the globe trotting LMB team on Monday, as a sluggish and below par performance saw a defeat of 10- 7 to Powerleague Rangers.
The game started off well for LMB with two lovely goals from Swithers, one pure power when one on one, the other showing a cultured and calm head many doubted Swithers possessed to curl the ball into the bottom corner, perfectly in the angle. Rowan also got one by doing what he does best, running around a lot and screaming. I can't really remember the goal so in my head it happened thus. The defender was in possession in front of his goal when Rowan screamed. The power of his scream not only frightened the defender but blew the ball into the top bin. In these early exchanges Power Rangers got one back so it was 3-1. This was the last time LMB were in front, as 3 unanswered goals saw them take a 4-3 HT lead. A number of these Steels was unlucky with as they just squirmed under his body or just past his despairing dives and he was given little help with our positioning and defending.
After an inspiring Swithers Team Talk (My vote for the new Boots Weds Manager) Rowan scored our 4th to level things up when put through by Ben, but again lapse defending let the Rangers to hit back straight away. Following this LMB did have a period of possession and calmness and positioning that they had been lacking with Swithers hitting the post, Brett peppering the goal (and nets and boards around it as well) with shots, Ben and Griff doing well in both defence and attack, and Rob and Rowan running around like loons! Chibs also was doing a great job shouting from the sidelines (he was injured after about 15 mins). Both Swithers and Crozier hit the post before the equaliser came after a quick free kick was laid to Crozier to finish it off. Thinking this could be the start of us taking it forward, defence seemed to go out the window and another 3 goals were unanswered, and that was to prove the killer. As each goal went in we became more desperate and we were caught even more, and Steels made some good saves to keep us in with a slim chance! One distinctly impressive goal was an attempted interception from their keepers throw by Crozier not only succeed in taking it away from Brett but also put the ball beautifully into the path of the attacker to slot it past Steels. Rowan and Crozier scored two powerful strikes near the end but it was too little too late and to rub this in Powerleague Rangers got another near the end.
Overall it was a poor and off day performance for all involved. There were a few moments that could have gone our way and pushed us ahead but ultimately when you go behind and start chasing in the final 10 you can get caught. We have done it to other teams on many occasions, just getting that 1 or 2 goals ahead, this time we suffered from it. There were also one or two that a fully sharp and fit Steels may have got to, but there again he kept us in with slim chances with some strong saves too. It happens to the best of teams, just look at Sunderland one week thrashing Spurs, next week losing to West Ham. Just pick ourselves up and win next week!!!
