Tyneside Amateur League Division 2: 10th
NFA Minor Cup: 2nd Round
North East Amateur Shield: Semi Final
John Hampson Memorial Trophy: Group stages
Tyneside Amateur League Fair Play Award: Winners
Player of the Year: Matty Bull (6 moms)
Players’ Player of the Year: Dave Churchley
Top Goalscorer: Matty Bull (20 goals)
Most Appearances: Dave Churchley (36 apps, 100%)
Players used: 48
10/05/2006
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2
IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Ellis, Churchley, Walker, Kennedy, Paterson, Creighton, Honeywood (Hinks 45), Freath, Haigh, Katirai.
Brazil started well and took the lead after half an hour with a superb goal. Ewan Paterson dismissed an Inter Dental defender and fed Matthew Creighton, just outside the box, on the left hand side. Creighton waited for the ball to bounce kindly in front of him before lifting a sublime left footed volley over the keeper and under the bar.
Two defensive lapses (including the cardinal sin of stopping when the whistle hadn’t gone) allowed Inter Dental to take an undeserved lead into the half time interval.
The introduction of Jon Hinks in the second half gave Brazil more bite but, with two strikers dropping out of the squad before the match, there was not much support when the ball was played forward. The hosts were restricted to attempting to use their forwards’ pace in counter attacking with long balls but Brazil’s defence held firm.
A 90th minute header from a corner gave Inter Dental a flattering scoreline.
Lee Wilkinson’s man of the match award prevented Creighton and Dave Churchley from sharing the Player of the Year trophy with Matty Bull.
06/05/2006
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2
IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Ellis, Churchley, Walker, Paterson, Creighton, Honeywood, Freath, Haigh, Katirai, Bull.
Subs not used: Sharples, Davison.
With the ground hard and uneven and the grass quite long, conditions were not conducive to a good game of football. The match started quite evenly with neither side finding a way past either defence on the small pitch. Unsurprisingly, it was a mistake that led to the first goal. Surprisingly, it was a mistake by the (otherwise) excellent referee. A shot from well outside the box went wide of the box and straight out of play without anyone getting a touch. The referee must have thought that it had taken a deflection or that Lee Wilkinson had got a hand to it as he gave a corner. A free header put the home side ahead. A few minutes later, the same player scored again from another corner from the same side.
Brazil responded well and created some chances of their own. Matty Bull won the ball off his brother (who was playing in defence for New York), beat the next defender and laid it off to James Katirai. His shot was well struck but blocked. Ewan Paterson gained possession and fed Matthew Creighton on the edge the box. His attempted lob left the New York keeper stranded but the ball came back off the crossbar. A deep corner by Bull was turned back into the danger area by Katirai. Bryan Walker met the ball firmly with his head but couldn’t keep it down.
After the break, Brazil continued to have the better of the game. Bull and Creighton both went close with free kicks before it looked like Shaun Haigh would continue his recent excellent goal scoring form. A superbly timed run beat the offside trap and, with just the keeper to beat, Brazil’s skipper looked odds on to score. Just as he was about to shoot he was carelessly hauled to the ground from behind by a defender. A red card was almost inevitable for the initial offence but it became even more certain after the defender reacted badly to something Katirai said. The New York player raced over to Katirai (his ex-team mate) pushing, hitting and threatening him. Katirai conducted himself superbly and didn’t react at all. Mark Freath and Dave Churchley quickly separated the players before any damage was done. The New York player was dismissed.
Brazil were starting to dominate with their numerical advantage until Bull went over on his ankle and was forced out of the game for a while. This lost Brazil’s momentum and New York grabbed a third on a counter attack. After Bull was back on the field, he nearly scored a late consolation. He got on the end of Wilkinson’s long clearance but saw his first time shot rebound back off the inside of the post.
After the game, New York’s dismissed defender was still looking to start a fight with Katirai (or anyone else that spoke or was even nearby) but Brazil’s players just left him to rant on on his own.
The most exciting Player of the Year race in Brazil’s history edged in Bull’s favour as his man of the match for this game takes him one clear of Churchley and Creighton with just one match left to play.
29/04/2006
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2
IJLW Brazil
Katirai, Garry, Churchley, Walker, Harrison, Paterson, Creighton, Mitchell, Haigh, Allen, Dunkley.
With several regular players unavailable and two dropping out on the day of the match, Brazil did well to get 11 men on the field. Mark Garry reclaimed his record as Brazil’s oldest ever player and Guy Allen and Paul Dunkley became Brazil’s 99th and 100th players to either register or play for the club in the four seasons since they joined the Tyneside Amateur league.
The opening exchanges were fairly even but the wind, sun and slope favoured the visitors and justified their increasing possessional dominance. James Katirai was twice called upon to make good saves before an incredible refereeing faux pas turned the match. As the cross bounced and bobbled just inside the edge of the Brazil box, the defender lunged at and missed the ball. The forward also lunged at and missed the ball and crashed into the back of the defender, sending both players to the ground. At this point, both sides were happy to continue playing on but the referee’s whistle was blown. A couple of Forest Hall players started arguing against what they thought was free kick given to Brazil, as they were still in a promising area of the pitch, but the referee bemused everyone by signalling to the penalty spot. Katirai was only centimetres away from bringing justice to the situation, as he dived to his left. Forest Hall then scored another controversial goal to double their lead. As one forward pulled the Brazil defender away from the ball by his shirt, the other forward ran onto the free ball and smashed it into the net. A third goal followed for the visitors, before half time, as they put away and unmarked header from a corner.
With the change of ends it appeared that Brazil may have a change of fortunes as they struck back immediately after the interval. Matthew Creighton’s sliced shot fell kindly for Shaun Haigh. After a poor first touch on his thigh, he redeemed himself by firing the ball into the top corner with his left foot to continue his goal scoring run. After this, however, it just got embarrassing as wave after wave of Forest Hall attacks overwhelmed an outnumbered Brazil defence. Brazil would have had a consolation goal late on but, after beating two defenders, a bobble on the pitch defeated Dunkley and he shot high and wide.
Creighton was man of the match again.
19/04/2006
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2
IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Ellis, Churchley, Creighton, Mitchell, Paterson, Hinks (Honeywood 70), Freath, Haigh, Katirai, Bull.
Right from the start, Brazil looked hungrier and more competitive than they had done in the disastrous semi-final on Saturday. The visitors deservedly went ahead on the half hour mark. Matty Bull’s cross from the left was powerfully volleyed home by skipper, Shaun Haigh. Almost immediately, the home side levelled the scores with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
Despite Brazil playing the better football it was Wallsend that went on to take the lead. At this point, Brazil made a substitution and shuffled some players around. It didn’t take long for the change to pay off. Matthew Creighton, who had just moved into midfield, provided the through ball and Matty Bull, with some work still to do, provided the finish. This was Bull’s 20th goal of the season – a great achievement for a Brazil player! It was Brazil that finished the match as the stronger side and were worthy winners after Simon Honeywood had smashed the ball past the Wallsend keeper from close range following Haigh’s miss-hit shot across the face of goal.
Creighton was man of the match.
15/04/2006
North East Amateur Challenge Shield Semi Final
IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Mitchell, Churchley, Creighton, Kennedy, Harrison (Katirai 80), Honeywood (Hinks 50), Freath, Haigh, Day, Bull.
Subs not used: Cuggy.
Brazil’s fourth semi-final in five seasons ended with the same result as the previous three – Brazil will not be playing in the final. With three regular first team players unavailable, Brazil were still able to field (what, on paper, looked like) a strong team. The large pitch should have suited Brazil’s quick, passing game – giving their fast wingers and strikers plenty of space to play in – but, on the day, it worked against them. Too many of Brazil’s players appeared lethargic and were second to the ball against a committed Red Star side that were really up for the game.
Red Star had more of the ball in the opening period, playing with the wind behind them, but Brazil defended well and there were few chances at either end. Brazil almost broke the deadlock when Rob Day headed Matty Bull’s corner goalwards, but the keeper made a good save. Just as it was looking like the match would remain goalless at half-time, the linesman made the first of his major contributions to the game. Red Star’s goalkeeper’s long kick out went clear over the heads of Tom Mitchell and the Red Star winger and out into touch. The linesman awarded the throw-in in Red Star’s favour. It was quickly taken to their big striker who was then brought down illegally in the box. The resultant penalty was well tucked away right in the bottom corner to give the hosts an important lead going into the break.
Brazil shuffled their line-up at half time and came out much more positively. They still struggled to create many chances though as the forwards seemed very isolated. At the back, Brazil were looking solid and never looked like going further behind. With time running out on Brazil’s cup hopes, player/manager Dave Churchley made an inspired change. James Katirai was brought on up front and the formation was tweaked. Within a minute, the scores were level. Shaun Haigh’s throw-in was flicked on by Matthew Creighton to Katirai who headed past the keeper from close range. By now Brazil were well on top and it looked as though the visitors would go on to claim victory in extra time, as they had in the two previous rounds, if not before the 90 minutes were up. However, with five minutes of normal time still remaining, the linesman made his second decisive and controversial intervention in the match, spoiling the good work that had been done by the other two match officials. As Bull released a pass infield from the left, he was caught late by two Red Star players. As he got to his feet he gestured towards the referee to indicate that he had been fouled but accidentally caught one of the Red Star players in the back with his hand. The referee’s assistant interpreted this as a deliberate punch. Some pushing and shoving ensued and the linesman instructed the referee to dismiss Bull. Neither Red Star player was punished for his part in the fracas.
With ten men on a pitch of this scale things were looking grim for the visitors. They got from bad to worse in the opening period of extra time when Red Star took the lead. Being a man down, Brazil didn’t have enough players to mark everyone at Red Star’s corner. It was the unmarked man that headed the ball over the defender on the post into the top corner. In the second half of extra time, Brazil actually played some of the best football of the match, particularly down the right flank, with Jon Hinks, Day, Creighton and Katirai playing some neat short passes to feet. As Brazil pushed forward seeking an equalizer, they were caught on the break. The Red Star striker beat the offside trap and put the game beyond Brazil’s reach, although they did try until the end. The last action came right in the dying seconds. Brazil were awarded a free kick 40 yards from goal. The referee indicated that were only 15 seconds remaining so Churchley quickly fired in a powerful accurate shot. The keeper was forced into making a good save. The highlight of the match was a spectacular drag-back by Mitchell which left the Red Star winger both bemused and wrong-footed. Creighton was man of the match.
As expected, Blyth Town Reserves were victorious in the other semi-final, beating West Jesmond 2-0 away from home. This sets up a top against bottom final on 3rd May. I’ll have some spare tickets if you would like to go.
Other news:
No training until further notice.
08/04/2006
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2
IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Ellis, Churchley, Walker, Davison, Harrison, Creighton, Honeywood, Haigh, Katirai, Bull.
Subs not used: Freath, Hetherington.
The heaviest rainfall of 2006 greeted the players as they made their way out onto the pitch. With Mark Freath and Simon Honeywood taking an erroneous detour via the road to Scotland, Brazil started the match with ten men. As the rain turned to hail, Brazil started to dominate proceedings. A temporary respite from the elements was soon followed by the snow.
The arrival of Honeywood boosted Brazil and allowed Matty Bull the freedom to push further forward. The breakthrough followed soon afterwards. Shaun Haigh’s long throw in was flicked on by Matthew Creighton. James Katirai found time to take a touch before blasting the ball into the roof of the net. Chance after chance followed as Brazil tore apart their opponent’s defence. A fine run from Shaun Haigh preceded an inch-perfect pass into Mark Harrison’s path. Unfortunately, his first touch was too heavy and the chance was lost. A goalmouth scramble led to Inter Dental’s keeper making two good reaction saves before the ball was finally put the wrong side of the post. The second goal wasn’t long in coming. Matty Bull’s corner was met by Creighton’s head, as he ran towards the front post. The defender on the line sliced his clearance and Creighton claimed the goal.
By now the snow was coming down thick and fast and settling on the ground. Craig Ellis, Bryan Walker and Gary Davison (on his comeback from injury) all tackled well to stop Inter Dental’s possession amounting to anything and on the three occasions that they did manage to get past their man, Dave Churchley was there to stop them in their tracks.
The half time interval was kept short and Brazil recaptured the initiative immediately. Haigh’s through ball sent man of the match Creighton off on a great run down the left wing. He pulled the ball back from the goal line to where Honeywood had burst forward from midfield. His first time finish left the keeper with no chance as he scored his first goal for Brazil. Moments later, the referee had no choice but abandon the match. The snow had obscured all of the lines on the pitch and was so thick in the air that the ball was hard to spot.
05/04/2006
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2
IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Rothwell (Smith 45), Churchley, Walker, Kennedy, Ellis, Freath, Creighton, Haigh, Katirai, Bull.
For the second time in five days an under-strength Brazil team lost to by a single goal to a side they really should be beating. Scott Rothwell made his debut for Brazil, who took while to get going in their first evening game since August. Wardley had more of the ball in the opening period but Brazil’s defence was solid and didn’t let them get a clean shot on goal. In the second quarter of the game, Brazil started to get the ball down and play football. The best chance fell to the experienced Mark Freath but instead of shooting with his left foot, he tried to cut back inside onto his right and the chance was lost.
Two errors combined to gift Wardley a goal in the second half. Brazil fought back but couldn’t find the breakthrough they needed to get back into the game. Matty Bull worked tirelessly up front and had a couple of good shots well blocked around the edge of the box. Matthew Creighton’s long range free kick was well saved by the diving goalkeeper down at the foot of the right hand post. As darkness descended, Lee Wilkinson made a couple of very good saves. Player/manager Dave Churchley was man of the match.
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.
25/03/2006
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2
IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Ellis, Churchley, Walker, Mitchell, Paterson, Creighton (Kennedy 70), Freath, Haigh, Katirai (Harrison 45), Day.
The withdrawal of Matty Bull before kick off with a staircase injury rocked Brazil but they still went out full of confidence. It was just an off day though with Brazil seeming to be second to almost every ball. Rob Day and Matthew Creighton both went close for the visitors but it was Wallsend that took the lead. This boosted their confidence and they were passing the ball around as if they had an extra man on the pitch. A poor refereeing decision gave the hosts a two goal cushion with a penalty.
In the second half Brazil were better but still only second best. Whilst Wallsend passed the ball around well and enjoyed going forward they still looked very vulnerable at the back. On another day, Day could have scored five or six but on this occasion he didn’t. The highlight of the game was a superb run by Shaun Haigh but at the end of it he was caught in two minds whether to shoot or cross and the result turned out to be a good example of neither.
A third goal wrapped up the victory for the hosts but, to their credit, Brazil continued to work and look for the elusive goal. Ewan Paterson’s superb corner fizzed across the six yard box but three Brazil players couldn’t get a touch. Day continued to cause the defence all kinds of problems and force the keeper into a number of good saves. Towards the end, Lee Wilkinson managed to get enough of a block onto a shot to enable Dave Churchley to get back and clear it off the line to stop the score line from becoming embarrassing. Bryan Walker was man of the match.