12/02/2005
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2
IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Creighton, Churchley, Walker, Kennedy, Katirai, Paterson, Freath, Haigh, Bull, Goodliff.
The visitors never looked like scoring all afternoon, after Lee Wilkinson made a good one-on-one save early on. Brazil’s control of the game grew steadily and they created numerous chances. James Katirai latched onto a loose ball and struck a powerful curling shot which came back off the crossbar. Moments later he nearly scored again. Les Goodliff sent an excellent cross in from the left wing but Katirai could only half connect as he ran into the box with the goal begging.
A corner by Matty Bull fell to Mark Kennedy, eight yards from goal. The full-back appeared to suffer from vertigo in the opposition box and he skied the half-chance well over the bar. Matthew Creighton’s mazy run opened up the Gateshead defence and he supplied the pass to set Bull free. Brazil’s top scorer made no mistake as he hit a low shot into the far corner to give the home side the lead.
Brazil continued to dominate in the second period and, even with the right flank unguarded (as Katirai stopped playing for a while to throw up seven times), Gateshead never threatened. Bull’s attempted lob looked set to kill the game off but only the crossbar could deny the man of the match his second of the encounter. Goodliff’s shot from the rebound was well saved by the keeper’s feet.
As the game moved into its final quarter, with Brazil still just leading by a solitary goal, it was a time for heroes to stand up and be counted. Dave Churchley won possession for Brazil and passed to Ewan Paterson. He beat two men and supplied the ball which allowed Mark Freath to take advantage of a goalkeeping horrowshow to give Brazil an unassailable two goal lead and make the three points safe.
Other news:
Maximo Park’s first “proper” single will be available in all good record shops from Monday 21st February. Go out and buy it – or buy it online if you’re feeling lazy! Brazil striker Paul Smith and the rest of the boys in the band will be making an appearance at Newcastle’s HMV at 5pm on that day, before performing at The Cluny later on in the evening.