London Rhinos 2-0 Razors
Rhinos Hit Form to Dawn Razors
London Rhinos turned in arguably their best performance of the season to take all three points against the ten-men of Razors. In Rhinos last home game of the season, a balanced and controlled team performance saw Rhinos take the lead on the hour through Andy Bendall, and after that the result was never really in doubt. A second goal from current Golden Hoof leader Steve Pendrell secured the victory, and only a number of misses and saves from the Razors goalkeeper kept the score down to two.

Rhinos had a good squad available, and were able to field a strong first eleven. Jason was in net, with a back four of Dan, Andy J, Nigel and Mike. The midfield lined up with Nick on the right, Chris R and Warren in the middle and Andy B wide left. Up front was Scott and Dave H, starting his first game in a preferred striker's role. On the bench were a perennially hungover Steve, and Giles, returning from a long injury.

The first half was fairly even with the limited number of chances falling Rhinos way, but either poor finishing or good defending kept the score at 0-0. Jason in the Rhinos net was barely troubled, in fact I can't remember him having to make a save in the first half. The second half was much more open with the ten men of Razors tiring in the sun, and Rhinos smelling victory. Eventually the goal came, with Giles (on for Nigel, who was suffering from a groin injury) playing Andy Bendall through to loft the ball over the keeper and into the net. A flood of chances followed but Rhinos couldn't put them away, with the pick of the misses coming from Andy Bendall. The ball was crossed into the dusty goal area, the keeper missed it, Andy slid in creating a cloud of dust and then Rhinos wheeled away in celebration. Only when the dust cloud cleared did it become apparently that the ball had not ended up in the net, but had been missed completely. Andy sat despondent as the dust settled.

Rhinos did finally make it two, with substitute Steve Pendrell finding the back of the net for the sixth time of the season, and thats how it stayed. A fine victory, Rhinos now secure in eighth place and a second season in Division Four confirmed. Two games left to go, with the first against bottom of the table Old House, and the pressure is on those players yet to get a goal this season. In true Countdown style, the clock is running down for the likes of Nigel, Andy J, Chris R and Mike and the nightmare of a smug looking fat bloke in a dodgy jacket mocking them when they fail to solve their goal 'conundrum' must be weighing heavy on these players minds. Not even Carol and her numbers can save them...