07/10/2006
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Mitchell (Cooper 60), Churchley, Walker, Liddell (Siddle 75), Paterson, Johnston, Freath, Haigh, McGowan, Katirai (Goodliff 45).
Subs not used: Honeywood.

With a strong eleven and a full complement of substitutes for the first time this season, Brazil went into the match full of confidence. For the first quarter of an hour, Brazil passed the ball around well and didn’t give the home side a look in. Playing into a strong wind, defending was extremely difficult and the home side went into the break with a two goal advantage.

Brazil were hoping that RVI would find it equally difficult in the second half but the wind dropped considerably. Immediately the second half began, however, Brazil had a good chance. Gordon Johnston got onto the end of Lee Wilkinson’s long clearance and lobbed the keeper with his first time shot. Unfortunately, the ball just cleared the crossbar.

As Brazil committed men forward, RVI scored twice on the break to put the result beyond doubt. Brazil did score their first league goal of the campaign for themselves. Shaun Haigh’s long throw in was headed home by the impressive Jonny McGowan. Moments later the trick was almost repeated. This time, McGowan flicked on Haigh’s throw and Les Goodliff headed over the bar.

Bryan Walker was man of the match.

23/09/2006
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Paterson, Churchley, Walker, Liddell, Cooper (Freath 55), Creighton, Honeywood, Haigh, McGowan, Katirai.

A much-improved Brazil performance saw the hosts match their visitors for large parts of the game. In the first half in particular, Brazil worked hard at the things they had talked about. James Cooper impressed on his debut and Henry Liddell continued his excellent start to the season but it was promotion favourites Forest Hall that had the better chances. Brazil required some solid defending, a couple of fine saves by Lee Wilkinson and a goal line clearance onto the underside of the bar and away by Shaun Haigh to keep the visitors at bay. Jonny McGowan’s return to action after a long injury lay off almost gave Brazil the lead going into the half time break. After some good work down the left, the ball was played into the box where James Katirai squeezed it through to McGowan. Had he not been off balance he almost certainly would have scored but as it was he couldn’t get enough power into his shot to beat the keeper.

Immediately after the break, Katirai created himself the best chance of the match. Chasing down a back pass, he managed to tackle the keeper. As he scuffed his shot with the outside of his right foot, it looked like the chance had gone but he battled with two defenders to gain another opportunity. This time his shot was cleanly struck but just wide of the post. With only one substitute, Brazil suffered as the team tired in the second half and two quick goals around the hour mark killed off the game. Two more goals flattered the visitors who had been made to work extremely hard for their victory.

Dave Churchley was man of the match.

16/09/2006
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Andrew, Mitchell, Churchley, Ellis, Mandalia (Ling 60), Paterson, Creighton, Freath, Haigh, Harrison, Katirai.

Sachin Mandalia and Andrew Ling made their debuts in the match where club captain Shaun Haigh became only Brazil’s third player to make 100 appearances. For the fourth game running Brazil failed to score; their consolation goal was an own goal.

Dave Churchley was man of the match.

09/09/2006
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Katirai, Mitchell, Churchley, Ellis, Siddle (Dickson 55), Paterson, Honeywood, Johnston, Liddell, Harrison, Egan.

A tough opening league fixture awaited Brazil. With Blyth Spartans currently topping the Conference North, it was always going to be a safe bet that their ‘A’ team were going to be pretty good. Brazil were missing several regular players but this gave some of the new players a chance to establish themselves.

Blyth took the lead in the first minute as they broke down the right and scored after a lack of communication in the Brazil defence. Brazil steadied themselves and held their own for most of the rest of the first half (despite conceding an own goal midway through the half). Gordon Johnston was superb in midfield and Henry Liddell continued to impress on the left. On the few occasions Brazil got the ball forward, Mark Harrison and Matthew Egan linked up quite well. Egan’s pace scared the defence and they were forced to bring him down on several occasions.

James Katirai made a sharp save diving to his right and Craig Ellis slotted in well at centre back alongside Dave Churchley. However, two goals just before half time ended the game as a contest as the visitors went into the break leading by four.

In the second half, Brazil were better, not allowing Blyth to get in behind them on the flanks. A bizarre refereeing decision (by the otherwise very good official) gifted the visitors a fifth goal. After stopping play for an injury, he allowed Blyth to play on. With players out of position they ended up with three on one against Katirai. After superbly tipping the first shot onto the crossbar, Katirai could only watch as the rebound also hit the bar before the second rebound was put into the back of the net. The appeals for offside were disregarded.

Egan picked up a yellow card for a rash challenge (probably more due to the scream of the player he caught than the recklessness of the tackle). Simon Honeywood worked himself some space for a shot but the keeper held onto it comfortably. The closest Brazil came to scoring was after Ewan Paterson had been pushed up front. He returned a one-two to Honeywood who had his and Brazil’s second shot of the match.

Despite initially indicating that Egan would be the man of the match, the decision was changed and the accolade was awarded to Johnston for the first time as a Brazil player.