20/11/2004
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Katirai, Davison (McCartney 45), Churchley, Walker, Kennedy, Paterson, Creighton (Stephenson 70), Freath, Haigh, Thompson, McGurk.

Brazil’s worst performance of the season brought their winning streak to a devastating end as they lost convincingly to the league’s bottom team. The hosts took an early lead as an unopposed midfielder smashed the loose ball into the goal. P&G were first and second to almost every ball but, despite their dominance, didn’t manage to create too many good chances, particularly with James Katirai quick to come off his line. He was left helpless for the second goal though as the forward, untracked, ran in from the wing to get on the end of a through ball and be left with a one-on-one chance that he couldn’t (and didn’t) miss.

Although Brazil were generally slow and sloppy, they did manage to have a couple of efforts on the counter attack. Shaun Haigh’s long throw was flicked on by Mark Kennedy, allowing Mark Freath to head wide. Dave Churchley couldn’t direct his header from Steve McGurk’s corner. McGurk and Freath then both made shooting chances for themselves but both dragged their shots wide of the far post. Twice Haigh raced onto a loose ball and fired over the crossbar. Late on in the half, McGurk and Ewan Paterson both had half-chances snuffed out by some good defensive blocks.

The introduction of Chris McCartney at the interval seemed to liven Brazil up for a while as he helped to take some control away from the home side’s midfield. Brazil still looked unlikely to score, although Haigh’s volley wasn’t far wide. When P&G’s substitute striker made it 3-0, Brazil went 3-4-3 in an attempt to get more men in the attacking third of the pitch. McGurk and McCartney both had long-range efforts comfortably saved and Churchley’s 40-yard free kick swerved wide of the upright. A superb run around four defenders by the veteran Freath was only spoiled by his shot being two inches the wrong side of the post. Chris Thompson’s late effort produced the save of the match as the keeper managed to push the ball out from the bottom corner.

As time ran out, Bryan Walker went up front as Brazil switched to an unusual 2-4-4 formation in the desperate hope of getting at least a goal from the game. Churchley’s resolute defending earned him the man of the match award.

Other news: Maximo Park’s debut single ‘The Coast Is Always Changing’/’The Night I Lost My Head’ is out this week. It’s available from RPM in Newcastle.