11/02/2006
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2
IJLW Brazil
Hull, Ellis, Churchley, Walker, Paterson, Freath, Creighton, Katirai (Norouzi 70), Haigh, Day, Bull.
Adrian Hull made his long-awaited debut in goal for Brazil, who also welcomed back James Katirai and Matthew Creighton after several disagreeable months at New York.
Brazil looked good when they got the ball down on the ground but went behind when Waterloo’s striker was left unmarked at a corner. Rob Day levelled the scores when he tackled the last defender and fired the ball past the keeper. Brazil could have gone ahead when Shaun Haigh’s excellent through ball found Matty Bull’s run just outside the box. Brazil’s top scorer shot early and his shot beat the keeper but was just wide of the upright. Two more defensive lapses gave the visitors a 3-1 advantage but Brazil fought their way back into the game with a goal just before half time. Bryan Walker’s accurate free kick into the box was volleyed goalwards by skipper Haigh. The keeper could only parry it and Bull reacted quicker than any of the defenders and tucked the ball into the corner of the goal.
A goal behind at the interval, Brazil were confident of getting something out the match having played the first half uphill, into the wind with the sun in their eyes. During the break, the wind changed direction and the sun went down behind the rugby clubhouse taking away much of the advantage the hosts were hoping for.
After conceding an early goal, Brazil dominated the second half and had several chances. Bull’s clever short free kick set up Mark Freath whose shot was dragged just wide of the post. As Brazil cleared a corner, Freath picked up the ball deep in his own half and carried it upfield towards the Waterloo goal. Just as he was getting within shooting distance he was hacked down from behind. The caution handed out to the Waterloo chopper was no consolation for Brazil not scoring from the chance. A poor goalkick, straight to Day, gave the little striker a chance for his second goal of the game which he took well despite being fouled from behind during his approach to the goal.
Man of the match Creighton couldn’t quite earn his side a point in his comeback game as his last minute long range effort was well saved at the near post.