03/09/2005
Friendly (this was originally a Tyneside Amateur League Division 2 match but Black Bull Benton resigned from the league later in the season).
IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Mitchell, Churchley, Walker, Mason, Paterson, Freath, Stephenson (Smith 50), C Cuggy (Slack 45), Bull, K Cuggy.
Sub not used: Armstrong.
Brazil’s league campaign got off to the worst possible start as stand-in skipper Bryan Walker lost the toss. Things went from bad to worse for the home side when they conceded an early goal, following a poor clearance. Brazil’s defence had their very valid offside appeals turned down, despite goalkeeper Lee Wilkinson not being goal-side of the scorer as the cross came in.
Brazil responded well and soon got back into the game. Matty Bull continued his hot streak as he got onto the end of Walker’s long ball and chipped the advancing keeper.
In the second half, Brazil had chances to take the lead before they actually did. The best fell to Ewan Paterson. Dave Churchley’s clever, lofted pass fell perfectly into Paterson’s path. The pint-sized player pulled the trigger prematurely, pulling his shot past the post. The crucial second goal did eventually come to give the hosts the lead. Keith Cuggy held off the last defender allowing Bull to run onto the ball and hit a first-time shot curling into the far corner. Brazil’s only goal-scorer so far this season had the chances to complete his first hat trick for the club but his decisions to shoot early, instead of taking the ball closer to goal, proved to be the wrong ones.
The versatility of several Brazil players (Paterson in particular) was of vital importance in holding onto the lead, to cover for injuries and formation changes.
Benton threw more men forward as the end of the game approached but chances were few and far between as Brazil defended very well.
With Mark Freath’s four-week-long honeymoon period coming to an end, he made a welcome return to the Brazil side. What he lacked in match fitness he more than made up for with the enthusiasm of a schoolboy and the experience of the veteran that he is. His commanding performance in the centre of the park earned him the man of the match award.