28th September 2002
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Andrew, Toms, Churchley, M McClure, Kennedy, Hinks (Paterson 55), Lambert, P Clark, Belcher, Thompson, R McClure.
Subs not used: Charge, Davison.

Brazil were confident going into this game as they felt they should’ve beaten Rutherford when they played them in the cup earlier in the season. Brazil made their best start to a match all season as Rutherford found it very difficult to progress into Brazil’s defensive third of the pitch.

Brazil opened the scoring with a great piece of football. Jon Hinks flicked the ball onto Paul Clark who lifted a lovely pass behind the Rutherford back four for Ricky McClure to run onto and lob the advancing keeper. Brazil failed to capitalize on their advantage though and Rutherford were level before half time when they scrambled home a weak corner. It was a disappointing goal for Brazil to concede, having defended so well. Brazil could even have found themselves behind at the break if it wasn’t for a superb diving stop by Al Andrew.

Brazil looked solid again as the second half got underway. Neither side was really creating any chances until the introduction of Ewan Paterson on Brazil’s right gave their attacks a bit more pace. Paterson broke clear down Brazil’s right flank. His shot was saved by the Rutherford keeper but it was only deflected into the path of R McClure who easily bundled the ball into the empty net for his and Brazil’s 2nd goal of the game. Brazil then began to dominate possession and it wasn’t long before they increased their advantage. Right back Steve Toms picked up a loose ball on the half way line and, with no obvious passing options and no opposition players pressurising him, decided to try his luck from fully 40 yards. The ball rocketed straight into the top right hand corner and Brazil looked as though their first league win of the season had been secured. Rutherford, however, had other ideas. They pressed forward, pushing more men up front, in search of a way back into the game.

Brazil’s defence held firm. It was M McClure’s first match alongside Dave Churchley in the middle of the defence and the partnership seemed to click almost instantly. There was no real danger until Andrew, after catching a cross, dropped it on the edge of the six yard box. Churchley managed to toe-poke it clear before any Rutherford players could get to it. Andrew’s slack period wasn’t over though as, a few minutes later, he threw the ball behind him across the face of the goal. This time it was a Rutherford player who got there first. Andrew, trying to recover, clattered into him just as he blasted his shot wide. The referee awarded Rutherford a penalty which they duly slotted away. Brazil managed to hang onto their lead thanks to two great reaction saves from Andrew, atoning for his earlier errors and even doing enough to win a surprise man of the match award.

Brazil’s season had finally got started and the winning streak had begun.