12th October 2002
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Andrew, Paterson, Churchley, Kennedy (Charge 60), Haigh, G Clark, Lambert, P Clark, Belcher (Toward 55), Hinks (Harrison 60), Goodliff.

In extremely harsh conditions, on a skiddy surface, Brazil, full of confidence after 2 successive wins, started very positively. Brazil played some wonderful football, looking particularly dangerous down the right flank. Paul Belcher and the Clark brothers, Graeme and Paul, were all at their creative best. Despite this, mainly due to some poor finishing, it took Brazil 20 minutes to score. P Clark squared the ball across the face of the goal and Jon Hinks, charging in on the back post, tucked away his first goal for Brazil. Although Brazil continued to dominate (P&G struggled to even get out of their half) it wasn’t until the 35th minute that Brazil extended their lead. This time it was P Clark at the back post to put away Les Goodliff’s cross. There was still time for Goodliff to get onto the scoresheet before the break, with G Clark providing the final ball.

Despite a comfortable 3-0 lead, Brazil knew that they could have had more and were expecting a tougher second half, playing into the wind. Goodliff, Belcher, and both Clarks either went close or missed chances they really should’ve scored.

Brazil continued to control the game after the interval and, 10 minutes after the restart, man of the match Belcher increased Brazil’s lead. His first effort was spectacularly saved but he had the presence of mind to follow it up and slot away the rebound. With a 4-0 lead and half an hour to play, Brazil took this opportunity to use their substitutes. Brazil continued to press forward seeking more goals. Their shape got a bit ragged after the changes and P&G did break through a couple of times. On one occasion, it looked as though P&G’s striker was one-on-one with Al Andrew until Dave Churchley made a superb saving tackle. Goodliff got himself booked for arguing over an offside decision but Brazil were still much the better side. Two excellent crosses from G Clark, on the right wing, allowed Goodliff and Mark Harrison to round off the scoring. The referee, who didn’t do a particularly good job, blew up three minutes early but, with a 6 – 0 scoreline, it didn’t really matter.