09/08/2003
John Hampson Memorial Trophy Group Stage

IJLW Brazil
Andrew, Davison, Churchley, M McClure, Charge (Mitchell 65), Paterson, Belcher, Toms (Hinks 75), Haigh, Gavan, Harrison (McKay 65).

After the cancellation of last week’s friendly, this was Brazil’s first outing of the season. Both sides looked evenly matched during the opening exchanges as neither side created any clear chances. The first real goal scoring opportunity came from Paul Belcher’s chipped free kick. It landed perfectly in Andrew Gavan’s path but his finish couldn’t match his run. Gavan looked lively up front though and it wasn’t long before he created another chance for himself. This time he slid the ball just wide of the near post as he cut in from the right towards the advancing keeper.

All four of Brazil’s defenders were consistently strong in the tackle so South Beach resorted to playing the ball over the top and using the speed of their strikers. It was from one of these long balls that they took the lead, just as they started to control the game. Al Andrew was forced into making a couple of good tips over the crossbar before South Beach scored again shortly before half time. The best chance of the half was wasted by Gavan as he latched onto Shaun Haigh’s long throw in. He was clean through with just the keeper to beat but his attempt at a volleyed lob cleared the crossbar.

Brazil came out refreshed after the break and despite conceding a third goal they were creating chances of their own. Belcher, Gavan and Ewan Paterson all missed long range efforts but Brazil were now the better side. Mark Harrison put in an excellent cross from the left wing but Gavan’s nightmare in front of goal continued as he completely miss-hit what should have been a simple tap in. Belcher was working hard in the middle of the park and put in several hard challenges to break up South Beach’s attacks.

Haigh’s long throw’s caused South Beach problems all afternoon and it was no surprise when Brazil finally scored from one. Paterson ran in from the opposite wing and volleyed into the bottom corner to give Brazil a bit of hope of saving the match. Neil McKay, who impressed on his debut, should have added a second but his free header from Paterson’s corner was just too high.

As the match went on the heat began to take its toll and the game slowed and became stretched. Brazil relied on Dave Churchley’s pace to save them a couple of times as South Beach continued to play the ball over the top. The worst of Brazil re-emerged briefly as South Beach scored their fourth with an unmarked header from an indirect free kick.

Steve Toms was the man of the match.