14/04/2004
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
McClure, Davison, Churchley, Walker, Kennedy, Paterson, McGowan, Hinks, Greenwood, Slack, Thompson.

As it was an evening match, this home fixture for Brazil was switched to Social’s ground so that their floodlight facilities would be available, if needed. The playing surface was in perfect condition which made for a good game as both sides like to pass the ball around along the ground.

Social, playing in red, dominated the possession in the first half but Brazil were defending excellently throughout the team. The hosts (who were technically the away side) were passing and moving nicely but couldn’t break down the Brazil defence, as every player was taking responsibility for their man. When Brazil did gain possession they struggled to break into the attacking third of the pitch, partly because of the wind and partly because of Social’s high defensive line. Their first half chances were restricted to long shots from Andy Greenwood and Dave Churchley, which the keeper dealt with comfortably.

A clumsy challenge by Brazil’s full back gifted Social the lead from the penalty spot (which was only nine yards from goal, giving Mike McClure no chance of saving it). The one occasion a midfield runner broke unmarked into the box he met a left wing cross to give the reds a two goal lead at the break.

Brazil began to settle a couple of minutes into the second half and the majority of the game was being played around the halfway line. Greenwood, Jonny McGowan and Jon Hinks were starting to see more of the ball and Brazil were using both flanks well as they tried to build their attacks. The game opened right up when Brazil were awarded a free kick on the half way line. Bryan Walker’s ball into the box was only half-cleared as far as Greenwood. His view of goal was obscured by the big Social centre back but he managed to find Peter Slack towards the lefthand edge of the penalty area. Slack’s first touch took the ball away from a defender and he steadied himself before chipping the advancing keeper with his left foot. This was Brazil’s first goal against Social, in their fifth meeting.

Social rallied well and started to take the initiative back away from Brazil but they never really managed to break down the defence. They were all strong aerially, Walker and Mark Kennedy were always strong in the tackle and Churchley made numerous interceptions. Gary Davison managed to read an attempted nutmeg by the left winger and played an accurate pass up the line to Greenwood. A neat first touch beat his marker and then he outsprinted the defender to get round the back. Unfortunately, his attempted cross was on his weaker right foot.

Chris Thompson was running selflessly as the lone striker for Brazil and his efforts almost paid off as he finally managed to beat the offside trap. (The linesman supplied by the hosts put his flag up every time the ball went beyond the defence and the inexperienced referee blew up every time.) Thompson’s clever attempt at a lob looked goalbound until the substitute keeper managed to pull off a superb save. Slack took the resulting corner and Walker headed down to Hinks who couldn’t quite get on top of the bouncing ball. His shot just cleared the cross bar.

At the other end, McClure was growing in confidence as a goalkeeper. He dealt comfortably with everything that got beyond the defence. His handling was good, he came off his line quickly and he punched clear a couple of corners. Looking solid at the back, Brazil pushed forward in search of an equaliser. A slick passing move between Hinks and Ewan Paterson sent the little winger clear on the right. His first cross was blocked but he regained possession and pulled the ball back to Greenwood whose shot was just too high. Brazil had a freekick in the centre circle and, as Walker approached to take it, Churchley peeled off wide, away from his marker, to give him a better angle to deliver it. Walker spotted his run and picked him out perfectly. Churchley, the man of the match, headed powerfully towards the far post. The keeper was beaten but the ball bounced up and struck the crossbar. With time running out, Greenwood was pushed up front, alongside Thompson, and Brazil had another chance of an equaliser. Greenwood broke free beyond the defence and tried his luck from long range when he could perhaps have taken it closer.

Support a team mate…
Brazil striker, Paul Smith’s band is playing live at Bulletproof on Friday night (16/04/2004). They are called Maximo Park and this could be your last chance to see them before they hit the big time.