12/08/2006
John Hampson Memorial Trophy Group B

IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Ellis, Churchley, Walker, Kennedy, Drozdowicz, Freath, Creighton, Johnston, Liddell, Katirai.

With the first match of the new campaign in the middle of holiday season, Brazil required the services of three new players in order to get 11 men on the pitch. The new signings, Gordon Johnston, Henry Liddell and Adam Drozdowicz, all aged 18, added some welcome youth to the side.

After Brazil’s long, long journey to Bellingham, the home team understandably started brighter and enjoyed a high proportion of the early possession. A superb last-ditch tackle by Dave Churchley prevented an early goal scoring opportunity for Bellingham. Two more good chances came and went as Churchley and Mark Kennedy both cleared off the line. The home side finally made their domination pay as they took a two-goal lead.

Brazil fought back with Drozdowicz, Liddell and James Katirai all hitting long range shots on target. Brazil’s best chance of the half came from a good passing move through the midfield culminating in Johnston laying the ball off for Liddell after some great skill in the box. Unfortunately, Liddell sliced his shot wide of the post.

At half time, Brazil shuffled a couple of players around with Johnston and Drozdowicz swapping positions. This seemed to have an immediate impact as Johnston got onto the end of Lee Wilkinson’s long clearance and buried the ball past the Bellingham keeper. A well-worked equaliser followed not long after, as Liddell’s cross-field ball was brought down finished clinically by Johnston.

Katirai had a good chance to give the visitors the lead saved. A couple of fantastic saves by Wilkinson kept Brazil in the game before the first division team finally scored the decisive goal against their second division opposition.

Churchley picked up the first man of the match award of the season.