14/01/2006
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2
IJLW Brazil
Andrew, Mitchell (Ellis 45), Churchley, Walker, Kennedy, Paterson, McGowan, Freath (Hetherington 70), Haigh, Goodliff (Ho 55), Bull.
Brazil went into their 100th game since joining the Tyneside Amateur League with a strong, confident squad. There were very few chances early on with Brazil having slightly the better of the opening exchanges. Shaun Haigh’s throw-in was flicked on by Les Goodliff right into the path of Matty Bull. Brazil’s record goalscorer’s first time shot came back off the base of the post, with the goalkeeper nowhere near. Goodliff himself then went close. The big striker picked up the ball inside Gateshead’s half of the pitch and used his strength to fashion a shooting opportunity. The shot was too high to trouble the keeper.
After twice failing to clear the ball, Brazil gifted Gateshead the lead midway through the first half. A second goal followed not long later. Dave Churchley, Brazil’s first player to reach a century of appearances, blocked a shot but no Brazil player reacted to it allowing Gateshead’s winger to run on and score.
Brazil continued to be the better team and had a great chance to get back into the game. Haigh took a long throw into the box. As Mark Kennedy was about to flick it on, he was shoved in the back. Bull stepped up to take the penalty in his new boots. The ball hit the underside of the crossbar and came down onto the goal line. A Gateshead defender got back to the ball first and got it clear. Moments later, Jonny McGowan, who had a good game in midfield, burst into the box and crashed the ball against the bar. So Brazil went into the break with a two goal deficit after having been the better team and hit the woodwork three times.
The second half was a different story. Brazil tired, perhaps due to their lack of match practice with the extended winter break, and Gateshead started to dominate the game. As a corner came in, Al Andrew made a save and Ewan Paterson cleared off the line but still Brazil could not get the ball clear and it ended up in the back of the net. A rash challenge gave Gateshead an easy fourth from the penalty spot before a bizarre mix-up gifted the visitors a fifth. To Brazil’s credit, they still competed and won a few corners as they pushed forward. In the 90th minute, Bull put in a corner. As Haigh jumped to meet it he was pulled down by his shirt. Bull, the man of the match, made no mistake with his second penalty of the game.