29/11/2003
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Andrew, Davison, Churchley, Greenshields, Kennedy, Gurney, Paterson, Clark, Mitchell, Haigh, Bull.

In the windiest conditions in living memory, Brazil were immediately put on the defensive by losing the coin toss. Playing uphill and into the gale was never going to be easy but a solid, battling performance kept them in the game in the early stages. All 10 of Brazil’s outfield players worked extremely hard to contain Gateshead, who were almost constantly attacking. Al Andrew was also kept busy with the wind making routine saves quite difficult. Midway through the first half, Brazil could have taken a surprise lead. Ben Gurney’s sublime through ball was met by Matty Bull who forced the Gateshead keeper to make a good save low to his left. Brazil’s solid defensive work ensured the game remained scoreless at the break, giving the visitors a great chance to go home with a result.

Although the wind died down slightly in the second half, it was still enough to give Brazil a great advantage. They completely dominated the opening 20 minutes of the half, creating several chances. Gurney had a couple of efforts with his weaker left foot and Bull and Paul Clark, the man of the match, forced several excellent saves out of the home side’s goalkeeper. Brazil’s defenders had to remain alert as Gateshead had a couple of counter attacks but these all came to nothing. A sliding tackle, on the edge of Brazil’s penalty area, by Mark Kennedy was adjudged to have been a back-pass but the wall stood firm and blocked the shot.

With just ten minutes remaining, Tom Mitchell hassled Gateshead’s centre back and twice blocked his clearance. The second time it fell kindly for him and he cleverly lifted the ball over the advancing keeper to give Brazil a deserved lead. Ewan Paterson linked up well with Bull (just as they had in winning the npower Children In Need 5-a-side tournament the previous week) to win a free-kick right on the edge of Gateshead’s box. With the wind behind him, Paterson’s powerful shot cleared the crossbar.

With 85 minutes gone and Brazil on course for their first league win of the season, their typical bad luck struck again. The referee, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Gary Bushel, appeared to want to get involved in the game more than was necessary. He awarded a penalty to the home side which surprised the hosts as much as the visitors. When questioned he didn’t know who he had given it against or what the offence had been, and nor did anyone else. The well struck penalty was ordered to be retaken for encroachment (perhaps in the hope that they would miss) but the second effort just beat Andrew.

Brazil remained the better side and continued to look dangerous. Dave Churchley’s excellent late run into the area lost his marker and he met Paterson’s corner with a difficult left-footed volley which sailed just wide of the post. Gary Davison slid a nice pass through to Bull but his low shot from a tight angle was excellently pushed past the post.

With the 90 minutes almost completed, Gateshead broke away and scored again, despite the goal scorer being five yards offside. Brazil now threw men forward desperately looking for the point they deserved but were caught short in defence when Gateshead broke and scored again.