Match Report: - Landmark Reading vs Landmark Exeter Eagles

MATCH REPORT: 

This Autumn has seen the official kick-off of a brand new inter-company football tournament here at Landmark.  In the first leg of two matches, the Landmark Exeter Eagles travelled to Reading for the first recorded Landmark vs Landmark 11-a-side football match. The teams met at the Madjeski Academy and despite the pending battle, banter and camaraderie were warmly shared.

With new kits donned, the teams stepped out to play what was a tight, combative match with both sides showing class and with swings in play and possession. The Eagles showed no sign of fatigue from the extended travel but it was Reading who took early control of the game, with pressing midfield play. The Eagles defence held a deep line and with diligent holding midfield play, coolly preventing any real chances on goal. 

Following the first 20 minutes, territory regained, the Eagles took more control of the middle of the park and spraying a wide ball out left, Alex Ridley received the ball on the touchline, posing no apparent threat. With graceful control, Alex cut inside and drove across the edge of the 18-yard box, skipping one, then another full-blooded challenge. Paul Marshall, the Referee, professionally signalled play-on and with single-minded focus on goal Alex whipped a curling ball, with his off right leg. The ball clearly going wide inexorably drew in and snuck past the keeper into the bottom right (despite the full stretched diving efforts of Simon Dungey). The Eagles kept the score 1-0 going into the half-time interval​.

The second half continued with the same high energy and desire. Both teams were giving 100%, but with the home advantage telling and Reading pressing high more threats ensued. Sam Francis (Man of the Match) tore down the left flank harrying the Eagles back line but was frustrated through excellent tight defence, in particular by Tim Hutton, who again had an outstanding performance in Right Back. Undeterred, the Reading Tsunami continued and finally broke the dam on 56 minutes. Darting in behind the defence, Sam picked up a threaded through ball on the edge of the 18-yard box and stabbed it into the goal for the equaliser.

Parity was again established and the Eagles looked likely to hold to a draw, but on 79 minutes, ghosting in between the midfield and defensive lines, Steve Sanashee, controlled the ball and lashed it from 25-yards. The ball fizzed and moved through the air, Martyn Lufkin got his fingertips to it sending the ball onto the underside of the crossbar. The ball smashed down onto the goal line and then up into the roof of the net, for a final score of Reading 2 – Exeter 1, after the first leg.

The game was played with a fantastic spirit and showed the true nature of Landmarkers – striving to do the best, giving your all, showing pride in the colours!

Squad Lists
Referee: Paul Marshall
Landmark Reading	Landmark Exeter Eagles
Simon Dungey Michael H Jay Cardona – Martin (C) Nick Mills Kieran Steward Steve Sanashee (79) Farouq Sulaiman Sam Francis (56) Gregory King Matt Bingham Imran Zaman Miranda Pont David Paler Charlie Ford Ryan Wicks	Martyn Lufkin Tim Hutton Andrew D’Urban-Jackson Matthew Smith Andrew Rose Aaron Smallshaw (C) Steve Huxtable Chris Gaunt Alex Ridley (34) Ryan Parsons Richard Forbes Chris Barnett Darwin Lee

Match Report by Aaron Smallshaw

Deferred Jaffa Cake Distributor and Programme Manager

Landmark Information Group