15/01/2005
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Wilkinson, Walker, Churchley, Kennedy, Paterson, Freath, Hinks, Mitchell
(McGowan 55), Haigh, Bull, Smith (Goodliff 65).

Brazil started 2005 in much better form than they finished 2004. The
first half was patchy with New York probably just having the best of the
possession but not managing to break down Brazil’s impressive defence.
The home side played some nice football at times but couldn’t carve out
any really good openings. The closest either side came to scoring in the
first half was when Brazil’s strikers, Paul Smith and Matty Bull fired
half chances over the crossbar.

A slight tactical change at half time saw Brazil come out and completely
dominate the remainder of the match. An excellent run from Mark Kennedy
at left back allowed Jon Hinks to put through a slide-rule pass to Bull.
Though his first shot was blocked, he neatly put away the rebound. Mark
Freath attempted to cap off a commanding display in midfield with a 25
yard free kick but he embarrassed himself (and his team mates) by
slicing it 20 yards wide of the goal.

With New York struggling to get to grips with Brazil’s superb
performance, they resorted to violence with several extremely dangerous
challenges flying in. The referee, in his first match, failed to control
the situation and it was as much by luck as anything else that no-one
was injured. Inevitably, these rash tackles eventually gifted Brazil a
penalty when Bull was chopped down from behind in the box. He picked
himself up and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to give the
hosts a two goal advantage. The lead could have been extended further
but the keeper pulled off an excellent save to deny Smith before Bull
missed out on a hat-trick when he hit a one-on-one over the bar.

The result was put beyond doubt when Dave Churchley collected the ball
on the half way line, turned inside his marker and slid a precise
left-footed pass between three defenders to Les Goodliff, making his
first appearance of the season. Goodliff spun and shot and it rebounded
to Jonny McGowan, also making his first appearance of the season, whose
shot was so accurate that it managed to find the gap between the
goalkeeper’s hands.

Lee Wilkinson was the man of the match, as usual, but every Brazil
player deserves credit for an excellent second half performance which
moves the team two places up the league table.

Other news: For Freath’s 30th birthday next weekend, he’s planning to have a night
at the dogs on Saturday, January 22nd. All are invited.