27/08/2003
John Hampson Memorial Trophy Quarter Final
IJLW Brazil
Andrew, Davison, Churchley, Toms, Haigh, Paterson, McGowan, Greenwood, Hinks (M McClure 55), Gavan (Harrison 70), Goodliff.
Subs not used: Mitchell, R McClure (ineligible).
A last minute change to the starting line up was required as the McClure brothers got lost on the way to the ground and failed to arrive before the start. Despite this, Brazil started well and had the better of the opening exchanges. Steve Toms and Dave Churchley were dominant at the heart of Brazil’s defence, Jonny McGowan and Andy Greenwood looked composed on the ball in midfield and the pace of Les Goodliff and Andrew Gavan was a constant threat up front. There was a lot of space on Brazil’s left and Shaun Haigh exploited this by getting forward from left back at every opportunity.
The opening goal came against the run of play. A long Wardley goal kick cleared Brazil’s centre backs and the striker managed to get to the ball before the full back. He turned inside and his low shot crept in at the near post. Brazil fought back though and soon regained their dominance. Ewan Paterson’s corners were hard to defend and Toms and Gavan both went close with headers. The equalizing goal, however, came from a counter attack. Goodliff’s pace took him away from the defence and he smashed his shot against the crossbar. Paterson, who had managed to keep up with play, calmly controlled the rebound and slotted the ball home.
Brazil were pressing and not allowing a Wardley player time on the ball anywhere on the pitch. This forced some errors and gifted Goodliff an opportunity on the edge of the box. His low shot beat the keeper but was just wide of the post. A free kick 30 yards out gave Greenwood the opportunity to try his luck. He struck the wall but managed to regain possession and lay the ball back to Churchley whose 35 yard left-footed volley swerved just wide of the upright. Another swift counter attack saw Brazil take the lead for the first time in the match as Goodliff blasted the ball past the keeper with his weaker right foot. The lead could have been greater at the break as Goodliff, Gavan and Haigh all had half chances.
Wardley came out with more aggression in the second half and it paid off for them after an hour when a header from a corner managed to sneak past the defender on the post. Straight away Brazil retook the lead. A magnificent dipping 25 yard volley by Mike McClure hit the underside of the bar and Greenwood was on hand to head home the rebound. Wardley came back again and should have levelled the scores. A cross from the right found two men unmarked at the back post but Al Andrew came off his line and made an excellent save as he managed to tip the volley over the bar from almost point blank range.
Brazil looked dangerous every time they got forward but they still had to defend solidly as Wardley were pushing more men forward every time they got possession. The result could have been beyond doubt as McClure, Greenwood, Gavan and Goodliff all went close as Paterson but in some dangerous balls from the right. The closest of the lot came when Churchley’s intelligent run was picked out superbly by Greenwood’s free kick. Churchley was only denied his first goal of the campaign by a diving, one-handed, fingertip save.
The result was wrapped up when Harrison’s flick-on reached Goodliff, whose run had avoided the offside trap. Goodliff sealed his man of the match performance as he neatly slotted the ball into the net. This was Brazil’s record victory in the competition and sees them reach their first semi final in two years.