29/01/2005
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Paterson (Echevarria 80), D Churchley, Walker, Kennedy, S Churchley, Freath, Creighton (Katirai 65), Haigh, Bull, Harrison (Goodliff 45).

A warm sunny afternoon saw Brazil’s winning streak come to a premature and undeserved end. With both sides looking to play attractive football, it was Cramlington that got the breakthrough, against the run of play, midway through the half. Brazil rallied well and fought back strongly with Sam Churchley, despite going missing for a while positionally, providing a good outlet on the right wing. S Churchley’s appearance, alongside his brother Dave Churchley, made the Churchleys the fifth pair of brothers to play together for Brazil.

In the second half, Brazil completely dominated and pushed forward, trying to apply some pressure. Whereas the visitors’ game plan remained the same, the hosts’ was always changing as they tried different routes of attack in the search for an equalizer.

Mark Freath, for the second week running, was denied glory by the crossbar as he latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box. Even as the shadows drew longer, Brazil continued to play the ball around. At times, the passing was like threading through the eye of a needle in a haystack. Brazil’s superb defence was troubled very little, even when they were throwing more and more men forward in search of the equalizer that never came. As time ran out, Brazil sent everyone up for the corners. Matty Bull provided the delivery and twice Cramlington defenders had to clear off the line; the referee vehemently denying any claims of handball. The closest Brazil came was with their last chance. Shaun Haigh’s long throw from the right was met by D Churchley who had ghosted into the box. The skipper, later named man of the match, sent a header goalwards and it took a fine save by the stretching keeper to push it onto the crossbar.