27/08/2005
John Hampson Memorial Trophy Group D

IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Mitchell, Churchley, Walker, Mason, Love, C Cuggy, Stephenson, Ho, Goodliff, K Cuggy.
Subs not used: Armstrong, Bell.

With Brazil struggling for numbers on the bank holiday weekend, four players (Paul Mason, Trevor Love, Mark Stephenson and Keith Cuggy, whose appearance in the same line up as Craig Cuggy made them the sixth pair of brothers to play together for Brazil) came into the team for the first time. Brazil’s performance was much better than it had been in the last few matches. They looked solid at the back, creative up front and hard-working in midfield. The only thing lacking was the finishing as Les Goodliff, Steve Ho, K Cuggy, and Love all came close but not close enough.

Player-manager Dave Churchley’s return to form was recognised with him being named as man of the match. Despite the result, the performance bodes well for the start of the league programme next weekend.

20/08/2005
John Hampson Memorial Trophy Group D

IJLW Brazil
Paterson, Mitchell, Churchley, Walker, Haigh, Cuggy, Hinks, Armstrong, Ho, Bull, Smith (Harrison 45).

With five goalkeepers unavailable for various reasons, star midfielder (and shortest member of the squad) Ewan Paterson volunteered to take the gloves. Brazil made a good start and could have taken the lead almost immediately. Paul Smith robbed Cramlington’s centre back but dragged his shot wide as the keeper advanced towards him.

It was the hosts that scored first. Matty Bull, whose form has been superb so far this season, beat the offside trap and placed his shot perfectly into the bottom corner. It wasn’t long though before the First Division side started to dominate. They led 4-1 at the interval. Paterson had been extremely unlucky for one of the goals; having made an excellent reaction save, the rebound was put away.

Brazil were better in the second half and got back into the game early on. Bryan Walker’s long throw was headed away only just outside the box were Bull was waiting. His left footed volley into the top corner is an early contender for goal of the season.

Again Cramlington regained control and made sure of their victory with a couple more goals. Brazil did create more chances but failed to put any away. With time running out, Bull looked set to strike a 30 yard free kick in an attempt to score his first hat-trick for Brazil. He fooled everyone when he played a delightful pass into the box to the unmarked Walker. The big centre back’s first touch was good, a lot better than the second as lashed his shot over the bar.

Mark Harrison’s physical presence troubled the defenders enough in the second half to earn him the match of the match award.

13/08/2005
John Hampson Memorial Trophy Group D

IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Mitchell, Churchley, Walker, Haigh, Cuggy, Hinks, Armstrong, Ho, Smith, Bull.

A strong Ryton team really took advantage of Brazil’s weaknesses and lack of match fitness as they inflicted Brazil’s worst defeat for two years. The goals included a penalty given for no reason and an own goal.

Brazil got a goal back before half time when Matty Bull dispossessed the Ryton centre back and scored. Brazil did have other chances. The best of these both came from excellent through balls by Jon Hinks. Paul Smith and Steve Ho got on the end of them but couldn’t beat the keeper.

The score could have been even more humiliating had it not been for a couple of sharp saves by Lee Wilkinson and an excellent goal line clearance by Dave Churchley. Dan Armstrong’s battling performance in the centre of the pitch earned him his first man of the match award for Brazil.

10/08/2005
John Hampson Memorial Trophy Group D

IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Walker, Churchley, Kennedy, Paterson, Cuggy (Smith 60), Hinks, Slack, Haigh, Ho, Bull.

With no changing rooms, corner flags, parking spaces or toilet facilities, it was not the ideal preparation for a cup match. With the return of Mark Kennedy, Brazil opted for a 3-5-2 formation and it seemed to really shore up the defence well. They looked solid throughout except for the usual vulnerability from set pieces against Killingworth’s exceptionally tall team. The opening goal came from a free kick. The ball in was flicked on and then stabbed home by the striker. Ewan Paterson scrambled back to try to clear it off the line but appeared to run around the ball and go at it with his wrong (right) foot.

At the other end, Brazil were looking livelier than they had on Saturday with Matty Bull working extremely hard. Half chances came and went with Craig Cuggy and Jon Hinks probably coming closest.

Brazil’s side lack fitness at present and it really started to show in the second half. Killingworth extended their lead, from a corner, and started to get more possession in dangerous areas. Some good defending from Bryan Walker and Dave Churchley and a couple of decent saves by Lee Wilkinson prevented Killingworth from adding a third.

New club captain, Shaun Haigh had an excellent game in midfield. Bull continued his hard work throughout and was rewarded by being named the man of the match. Steve Ho came closest to pulling a goal back Brazil when he hit the side netting after an excellent one-two with Bull.

06/08/2005
John Hampson Memorial Trophy Group D

IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Mitchell, Churchley, Walker, Haigh, Cuggy, Paterson, Armstrong, Ho, Bull, Stephenson (Smith 65).

The new campaign got off to tough start with the visit of Division 1 side Willington Quay Saints. With several Brazil regulars missing, the home side looked a little lost at times as they tried to gel together. Saints made the better start and were rewarded with the only goal of the first half despite a strong suspicion of offside. Matty Bull worked hard to pressurise the Saints defence but often looked quite isolated up front when Brazil were in possession. As the half progressed, Brazil’s defensive play got tighter as the midfield and defence remembered and realised what to do.

The second half saw Brazil looking more composed and made the match a lot more even. Dan Armstrong impressed on his debut in midfield.

A freak goal, as the ball was curled in from near the corner flag, gave the visitors a more comfortable lead. Brazil responded well, though, and pulled a goal back quickly. Tom Mitchell put in a good curling cross from the right which picked out Mike Stephenson, in the box. He beat the first defender but was hacked down before he had the chance to shoot. The ref had no hesitation in awarding a penalty which Bull slid neatly into the corner of the goal.

Paul Smith’s introduction as a substitute up front was, confusingly, the second Brazil debut of the day, as he is not the same Paul Smith that has played previously.

Continuing on from last season, Lee Wilkinson was man of the match.