14/02/2004
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Davison, Churchley, Walker, Kennedy (Slack 70), Gurney, Paterson, Hinks, Mitchell, Haigh, Bull.

Brazil got off to a nightmare start and could have conceded twice inside the first two minutes. For the first quarter of an hour, they were sloppy in all departments but they gradually managed to feel their way into the game. As their confidence grew, they began to pass the ball around and create some problems for the Wardley defence. The home side were still dominating possession though and, down their left flank, they were causing particular problems for Brazil. Brazil’s defenders made some important challenges and interceptions (both Mark Kennedy and Dave Churchley made last-ditch tackles to prevent shots) and Lee Wilkinson carried on where he had left off last week, with some good, confident goalkeeping.

As the game progressed, Brazil were looking increasingly threatening as they attacked. A good move culminated in Shaun Haigh’s low cross from the left being tucked away neatly by Matty Bull. A couple of minutes later, Bull turned provider as he played a magnificent 40 yard pass into the path of Ben Gurney, who made no mistake in doubling the visitors’ lead. Brazil completed their best 10 minutes of the season when Gurney struck his second. It was a first-time left-footed shot from 25 yards out and it sailed over the keeper and curled into the top corner. Brazil went into the half-time break with a three goal advantage and were extremely confident of gaining their first league points of the season.

Wardley started the second period well and were looking dangerous down their right wing. Brazil’s whole team was working hard to keep them out but the home side did eventually pull a goal back. Wardley could have found themselves right back in the game if it wasn’t for some desperate defending. There were several goalmouth scrambles, Churchley blocked a couple of shots and Ewan Paterson twice headed off the line at the back post. During this time, Wilkinson really made his presence felt as he came confidently for crosses and pulled off a couple of excellent saves to earn his man of the match award.

After this period of intense pressure, Brazil then had a good spell themselves. Bull was clean through but the Wardley keeper managed to tip his shot round the post. Bull did then score, from Hinks’s defence-splitting pass, but the goal was incorrectly ruled out for offside. Gurney had a thumping shot pushed onto the post by the diving goalkeeper. The best move of the match, in which Brazil calmly passed the ball all around the pitch without a Wardley player getting near it, ended in a good shot by Haigh which forced the keeper into a full-stretch dive. Brazil made their domination pay as Gurney’s corner was powerfully headed against the bar by Bryan Walker and Hinks was on hand to tap in and put the result beyond doubt.

Wardley did score a second but, despite a couple of late chances, never really looked like getting back into the game. This result was a great confidence boost for Brazil as they look to get off the bottom of the table in the last third of the season. These two sides will meet again on Saturday, in the North East Amateur Challenge Shield, but, due to the unavailability of several players, it looks like it will be a very different Brazil side.