30th November 2002
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Andrew, Paterson, Churchley, Kennedy, Davison, G Clark, M McClure, P Clark, Belcher (Goodliff 55), Hinks (Greenwood 70), Harrison (Toward 80).

Skipper, Dave Churchley decided to start the match kicking in the opposite direction to usual, as Brazil sought their first home league points of the season. After just five minutes, though, Brazil found themselves a goal behind as Rutherford’s big midfielder powered home a header from a corner. Brazil could have already scored by then though, Graeme Clark’s low corner was smashed wide of the near post by Paul Belcher, who didn’t realise how much time and space he had. Both sides worked hard throughout the first half and seemed to cancel each other out as there were not many chances at either end. Jon Hinks headed a G Clark corner into the ground and Mike McClure had an 18-yard drive well saved after Belcher’s clever square pass. At the other end, Brazil’s keeper, Al Andrew, wasn’t tested. The only time Rutherford got through, Andrew put off the striker and Ewan Paterson was on hand to clear from inside the 6-yard box. The visitors led by a goal to nil at the break.

Brazil began the second half as the better side, kicking in their preferred direction. The introduction of Les Goodliff added an extra dimension to Brazil’s attacking play, as his pace was too much for Rutherford to handle. The impact was immediate and the scores were levelled when Mark Harrison’s short pass on the edge of the box was hit low into the bottom left corner by Paul Clark. A couple of minutes later it looked as though the fight back was complete when Jon Hinks volleyed McClure’s cross into the same corner of the goal. The referee, who’s performance was generally poor all afternoon, incorrectly ruled the goal out for offside. By now Brazil were dominating though, and it wasn’t long before they took the lead. McClure rounded off an excellent move by blasting the ball past the Rutherford keeper. Brazil also had chances for Goodliff and P Clark.

Brazil’s defence comfortably dealt with Rutherford’s forwards, even when they started pushing extra men up. On the only occasion they got through, a fine low strike levelled the scores at 2-2. Rutherford celebrated like they had just won the league and, with over a quarter of an hour still remaining, this turned out to be premature. The sticky pitch was making it difficult for Brazil to play their attractive passing football but it was also working in their favour. Rutherford had several players that found running on that surface very difficult and even had to resort to bringing on their fat, mouthy manager for his fresh legs. Brazil’s fitness held up to the conditions, which gave the home side the advantage as the match moved into the closing stages. An outrageous foul on Andy Greenwood, by Rutherford’s manager, gave Brazil a free kick about 30 yards from the goal. Greenwood picked himself up (and was surprisingly unhurt) and lined up as if to shoot. Rutherford’s keeper must have thought he was bluffing, as he obviously wasn’t expecting a shot. Greenwood let fly with his left foot and the keeper reacted late as the ball squeezed underneath him. There was still time for a late scare when Rutherford were awarded a controversial penalty in the 88th minute. Andrew dived the right way and managed to bundle the ball around the post. Although this was his only real save, it was deemed important enough to earn him the man of the match award. Brazil hung on to take maximum points and move 7 points clear of the relegation zone.