01/04/2006
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Katirai, Ellis, Churchley, Walker, Kennedy, Dixon, Paterson, Creighton, Marquiss, McCourt, Bull.

In the only Tyneside Amateur League match to survive the weather, Brazil had to make some last minute phone calls to get eleven players together. The pitch, which was on the verge of being unplayable, was not conducive to Brazil’s slick, flowing, passing game so it was no surprise that they struggled early on, as they came to terms with the conditions. The home side took the lead with a break down the right. James Katirai saved the first shot but could only parry it to Gateshead’s second striker who put his side ahead. Katirai made a good save with his face after a shot bounced unevenly off the ground and some very good defending from Craig Ellis helped to keep the score down.

Midway through the half, Brazil began to find their feet and the passes started to connect. Matty Bull got onto the end of Jim McCourt’s flick on, burst past the defence and fired the ball into the back of the net but the goal was ruled out for offside. A couple of minutes later Bull broke free again. This time he wasn’t offside and his powerful right footed shot beat the keeper easily but they way the pitch dropped away down the slope meant that the ball crashed against the crossbar. The deserved equaliser didn’t take too long in coming though. Dave Churchley’s free kick set Bull free down the right. His perfect cross was met on the volley by the left foot of John Marquiss who had ghosted in at the far post. Before the interval, Brazil took the lead from the penalty spot. Bryan Walker’s throw into the box was about to be flicked on by Mark Kennedy but two Gateshead defenders jumped on his back and shoved him to the ground. Bull buried the spot kick straight down the middle of the goal.

The second half was always going to be difficult for Brazil; playing uphill, into the wind with the sun in their eyes and no substitutes. Brazil had a few chances (Bull brought a good save out of the keeper with a left-footed shot from a tight angle and McCourt twice had time to shoot in the box but missed the target) but as they tired Gateshead brought on three fresh players and made the advantage tell. The hosts were forced to work hard for their victory and Brazil were left to think about how things could have been different. Ewan Paterson’s endeavours in the muddy centre of the pitch earned him his first man of the match award of the season. Scouts from Wardley Durham Ranger were present at the match but they will have learnt little ahead of Wednesday’s encounter as it will be a very different Brazil side on that occasion.