30/08/2003
John Hampson Memorial Trophy Semi Final

IJLW Brazil
Andrew, Davison, Churchley, Toms, Kennedy, Hinks, M McClure, Bancroft, Haigh, Harrison, Goodliff.

With nine players unavailable for Brazil, meaning they had no substitutes, it was never going to be an easy task against a team from the division above. Things started well, however, as Brazil won the toss but from then on Fitzgerald’s were on top throughout. Brazil looked jaded from their mid-week exertions in the quarter final but, despite the excuses, there was no denying that Fitzgerald’s were simply a superior side. They dominated the match right from the start. Brazil had very little possession and rarely threatened the Fitzgerald’s goal. The first shot was a 45 yard volley by Dave Churchley but from that range it never really troubled the goalkeeper. Shaun Haigh cut inside from the left but his right-footed effort was blocked by a defender. Les Goodliff put over some good in-swinging corners but they were all defended well by the tall Fitzgerald’s team. In between these brief highlights, Fitzgerald’s were busy scoring goals at the other end.

With the score at 4-0, Alan Bancroft moved to centre back and Steve Toms swapped with him and moved into midfield. Straight away a good piece of skill by Toms took him away from two Fitzgerald’s players but his shot from the edge of the area was far too high. Fitzgerald’s scored twice more before the break, including a penalty.

Brazil began the second half better and had a fifteen minute spell where Fitzgerald’s hardly had a chance. Brazil’s best opportunity to score fell to man of the match Mark Harrison but the lanky striker blazed well over the bar from close range. A couple of good one-on-one saves by Al Andrew, some hard tackling by Mark Kennedy and goal line clearances by Harrison and Churchley helped to keep the score below double figures but Fitzgerald’s still managed to inflict Brazil’s second biggest defeat ever.