Tag Archives: league

Wardley 2 – 2 IJLW Brazil

Posted on by
Reply

9th November 2002
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Andrew, Paterson, Churchley, Davison, Charge, G Clark, M McClure, P Clark, Belcher, Harrison, Goodliff.

Wardley’s pitch was in a decent condition, considering the amount of rain that had fallen, and was nicely sheltered from the wind. Brazil, who had struggled to find 11 fit men, started slowly but improved as the game progressed. By the mid-point in the 1st half, Brazil were dominating the game. Wardley lacked any width whatsoever and Brazil were exploiting this by making dangerous attacks down both flanks. Down the right, Ewan Paterson was pushing on to support Graeme Clark and, on the left, Les Goodliff was drifting out wide to help Mark Harrison. This left Paul Belcher as Brazil’s furthest forward player on a number of occasions and it was to him that Brazil’s first clear chance fell. Belcher’s shot, however, was straight at the keeper.

Wardley were posing no threat in open play so, although their goal was against the run of play, it was no surprise that it was from a corner. Al Andrew parried the original header but Wardley’s longhaired captain bundled the rebound into the net. Brazil fought back and created more chances before the break, despite losing Paul Clark for five minutes with a bloody nose. Belcher and G Clark both had shots cleared off the line and Mike McClure dragged his effort wide from the edge of the area.

The second half was more open as players on both sides began to tire from running on the heavy ground. Brazil were playing deeper and attacking on the break and it was from one of these situations that they levelled the score. G Clark broke down the right and crossed into the box. The ball was half-cleared before Belcher could get a clean strike on it but was picked up by M McClure, 25 yards out. After a touch to control it he fired it into the top right corner, leaving Wardley’s keeper with no chance. With 17 minutes remaining, Brazil scored again. M McClure won the ball, deep in Brazil’s half, and fed Harrison on the left wing. Harrison, with yards of space ahead of him, kicked the ball on and galloped after it. He was too quick for the full back, which gave him the opportunity to cut inside and send a right-footed curler into the top corner. Brazil led but there was still time for a lot more action.

Wardley used up the last of their substitutes and pushed men on so that they had five up front. After their tiny centre back had been booked for a nasty tackle on Belcher, Wardley managed to scramble an equaliser. Following another vicious challenge, this time on Anand Charge, there was a minor scuffle. Charge reacted badly to the foul but was then assaulted by the Wardley midfielder. In a difficult situation, the referee decided to send both players off. Wardley had another man booked, for arguing with the referee, and Andrew was very lucky to stay on the pitch after appearing to commit a professional foul. Brazil’s remaining defenders, Paterson, Gary Davison and Dave Churchley all made some important tackles, interceptions and clearances and Andrew earned the man of the match award for making several very good saves. By the end of the game, he was really struggling after injuring his left knee whilst making the save of the match to deny the Wardley skipper his hat trick.

Willington Quay Saints 2 – 2 IJLW Brazil (abandoned after 55 mins)

Posted on by
Reply

26th October 2002
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Andrew, Davison, Churchley, M McClure, Haigh, G Clark, Lambert, P Clark, R McClure, Hinks, Goodliff.
Subs not used: Kennedy.

Brazil’s squad, ravaged by injuries, showed its strength in depth by still managing to field a strong line up. Despite the blustery conditions, Brazil looked dangerous when they got the ball down and played their trademark passing game. After 20 minutes Jon Hinks slipped a beautifully weighted through ball between the Saints’ centre backs. Ricky McClure timed his run to perfection to beat the offside trap and be left one on one with Saints’ keeper. He calmly placed the ball in the back of the net with his left foot. The goal stood, despite the animated protests from the Saints players. Saints were level within 5 minutes though. They were awarded a corner even though it was the Saints player that dribbled the ball over the goal line. Brazil’s marking was sloppy and, although Andrew saved the header, the rebound was put away. Brazil’s new-found resilience kicked in and they continued to impress with their short sharp passes. At the other end, Al Andrew made a couple of very good saves, including one from a Mike McClure lobbed own goal attempt, and Hinks and Dave Churchley cleared the danger from the corners, as Brazil looked to have learnt from the first goal.

Brazil’s second goal came from a lovely move. Shaun Haigh started it, at left back, by playing the ball up the line to Hinks who quickly knocked it in-field to Paul Clark. His pass into space was ideal for Les Goodliff to run onto and slot the ball past the Saints goalkeeper. Brazil had further chances for Goodliff and R McClure who was only stopped when the referee failed to play the advantage and blew up for a foul in Brazil’s favour. Saints are a good side, however, and they fought their way back in to the game and levelled the score before half time.

Saints started the second half as much the stronger team, going close to taking the lead on a couple of occasions. Brazil were just beginning to find their feet again when disaster struck. Tim Lambert passed to P Clark but, as he turned, his studs got caught in the ground and the referee stopped the match immediately. Lambert’s left foot was 90 degrees out of position so an ambulance was called to deal with the situation. Saints very kindly offered to abandon the match and arrange for it to be replayed at a later date. Brazil, after consulting with the referee, gratefully accepted the offer.

It would appear that Lambert has played his last game for the season as he has had an operation on a seriously broken ankle and is now recuperating in hospital, where he will have to stay for at least a week. If you would like to make a donation to the “Tim Lambert Recovery Fund”, cheques are payable to Dave Churchley.

IJLW Brazil 1 – 3 Killingworth

Posted on by
Reply

19th October 2002
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Andrew, Paterson, Churchley, M McClure, Haigh, G Clark (Davison 75), Toms (Toward 45), P Clark, Belcher (Harrison 65), Thompson, Goodliff.

Kick-off was delayed for 20 minutes as the Killingworth team waited for their lost players to turn up. This disruption threw Brazil’s match preparations into disarray. Having won their previous three games, Brazil were looking to build on this and gain their first competitive victory on their Winlaton-based home ground.

The pitch was in very good condition, despite the recent heavy rain, and Brazil started off playing their flowing passing game. It didn’t take long for Brazil to take the lead. Graeme Clark latched onto a wonderful through ball and never looked like missing as he coolly slotted the ball past the Killingworth keeper. Brazil continued to dominate and created several more good chances, mainly from corners. Three times Killingworth’s goalkeeper had to tip the ball over from under his crossbar as Gavin Thompson swung a corner in from the Brazil left. Paul Clark had a 20 yard drive excellently saved and Les Goodliff had a few opportunities.

Killingworth’s few first half efforts were all long range shots, as Brazil held them at bay well. The bad news for Brazil was that they were forced to withdraw Steve Toms at half time, after he had been the victim of three nasty fouls by Killingworth’s giant number 2.

Brazil, playing against the wind, sun and slope, found it much harder after the interval. Killingworth were using the elements to their advantage by playing long balls for their quick strikers to chase. Just as it seemed Brazil had started to cope with this tactic, the crucial goal was conceded on 60 minutes. Five minutes later, Brazil were 3-1 down. Player-manager Paul Belcher (who was named man of the match) sacrificed himself for a second striker as Brazil didn’t give up and went in search of a comeback.

The rest of the game was fairy even but with Brazil having the better of the goal-scoring opportunities. Goodliff had a couple more chances but again Brazil came closest from corners. Chris Toward headed wide a P Clark corner. From the next corner Dave Churchley managed to leap above the giant number 2 to head towards the far post but Mark Harrison guided it just wide. In the dying seconds, Ewan Paterson’s scrambled shot bounced just the wrong side of the Killingworth post.

Although this was a backward step for the improving Brazil side, it showed that they have come a long way since the start of the season. Brazil seemed to have lost the bite of the last few matches but they still managed to play some good football and create a decent number of chances. Even after the demoralising effect of conceding three goals in five minutes Brazil didn’t fold and came out as the stronger side.

Proctor & Gamble 0 – 6 IJLW Brazil

Posted on by
Reply

12th October 2002
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Andrew, Paterson, Churchley, Kennedy (Charge 60), Haigh, G Clark, Lambert, P Clark, Belcher (Toward 55), Hinks (Harrison 60), Goodliff.

In extremely harsh conditions, on a skiddy surface, Brazil, full of confidence after 2 successive wins, started very positively. Brazil played some wonderful football, looking particularly dangerous down the right flank. Paul Belcher and the Clark brothers, Graeme and Paul, were all at their creative best. Despite this, mainly due to some poor finishing, it took Brazil 20 minutes to score. P Clark squared the ball across the face of the goal and Jon Hinks, charging in on the back post, tucked away his first goal for Brazil. Although Brazil continued to dominate (P&G struggled to even get out of their half) it wasn’t until the 35th minute that Brazil extended their lead. This time it was P Clark at the back post to put away Les Goodliff’s cross. There was still time for Goodliff to get onto the scoresheet before the break, with G Clark providing the final ball.

Despite a comfortable 3-0 lead, Brazil knew that they could have had more and were expecting a tougher second half, playing into the wind. Goodliff, Belcher, and both Clarks either went close or missed chances they really should’ve scored.

Brazil continued to control the game after the interval and, 10 minutes after the restart, man of the match Belcher increased Brazil’s lead. His first effort was spectacularly saved but he had the presence of mind to follow it up and slot away the rebound. With a 4-0 lead and half an hour to play, Brazil took this opportunity to use their substitutes. Brazil continued to press forward seeking more goals. Their shape got a bit ragged after the changes and P&G did break through a couple of times. On one occasion, it looked as though P&G’s striker was one-on-one with Al Andrew until Dave Churchley made a superb saving tackle. Goodliff got himself booked for arguing over an offside decision but Brazil were still much the better side. Two excellent crosses from G Clark, on the right wing, allowed Goodliff and Mark Harrison to round off the scoring. The referee, who didn’t do a particularly good job, blew up three minutes early but, with a 6 – 0 scoreline, it didn’t really matter.

Newcastle Rutherford Reserves 2 – 3 IJLW Brazil

Posted on by
Reply

28th September 2002
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Andrew, Toms, Churchley, M McClure, Kennedy, Hinks (Paterson 55), Lambert, P Clark, Belcher, Thompson, R McClure.
Subs not used: Charge, Davison.

Brazil were confident going into this game as they felt they should’ve beaten Rutherford when they played them in the cup earlier in the season. Brazil made their best start to a match all season as Rutherford found it very difficult to progress into Brazil’s defensive third of the pitch.

Brazil opened the scoring with a great piece of football. Jon Hinks flicked the ball onto Paul Clark who lifted a lovely pass behind the Rutherford back four for Ricky McClure to run onto and lob the advancing keeper. Brazil failed to capitalize on their advantage though and Rutherford were level before half time when they scrambled home a weak corner. It was a disappointing goal for Brazil to concede, having defended so well. Brazil could even have found themselves behind at the break if it wasn’t for a superb diving stop by Al Andrew.

Brazil looked solid again as the second half got underway. Neither side was really creating any chances until the introduction of Ewan Paterson on Brazil’s right gave their attacks a bit more pace. Paterson broke clear down Brazil’s right flank. His shot was saved by the Rutherford keeper but it was only deflected into the path of R McClure who easily bundled the ball into the empty net for his and Brazil’s 2nd goal of the game. Brazil then began to dominate possession and it wasn’t long before they increased their advantage. Right back Steve Toms picked up a loose ball on the half way line and, with no obvious passing options and no opposition players pressurising him, decided to try his luck from fully 40 yards. The ball rocketed straight into the top right hand corner and Brazil looked as though their first league win of the season had been secured. Rutherford, however, had other ideas. They pressed forward, pushing more men up front, in search of a way back into the game.

Brazil’s defence held firm. It was M McClure’s first match alongside Dave Churchley in the middle of the defence and the partnership seemed to click almost instantly. There was no real danger until Andrew, after catching a cross, dropped it on the edge of the six yard box. Churchley managed to toe-poke it clear before any Rutherford players could get to it. Andrew’s slack period wasn’t over though as, a few minutes later, he threw the ball behind him across the face of the goal. This time it was a Rutherford player who got there first. Andrew, trying to recover, clattered into him just as he blasted his shot wide. The referee awarded Rutherford a penalty which they duly slotted away. Brazil managed to hang onto their lead thanks to two great reaction saves from Andrew, atoning for his earlier errors and even doing enough to win a surprise man of the match award.

Brazil’s season had finally got started and the winning streak had begun.

IJLW Brazil 0 – 6 Killingworth Social YSC

Posted on by
Reply

21st September 2002
Tyneside Amateur League Division 2

IJLW Brazil
Andrew (M McClure 40), Davison, Churchley, Kennedy, Haigh, Hinks, Lambert, Belcher (P Clark 45), R McClure, Thompson (Donkin 75), Harrison.
Subs not used: G Clark.

The game started evenly but it was Brazil that started to take control as the match progressed. Paul Belcher, unsighted by Mark Harrison’s miss-kick, struck his shot over the bar from a low cross by Gary Davison shortly before Ricky McClure headed just wide from a Gav Thompson corner. Brazil continued to dominate until Killingworth broke clear and scored against the run of play on the half hour mark.

Moments later, Brazil’s keeper, Al Andrew, came to collect a through ball only to be flattened by Killingworth’s bull-ringed striker. Andrew lay motionless for a few minutes before attempting to continue. A couple of minutes later though he had to be replaced. Brazil had no substitute goalkeeper on the bench so Shaun Haigh took the gloves. Haigh was replaced at left back by debutant Mike McClure.

Brazil held on until half time and began the 2nd half as the stronger side. It wasn’t until an hour had gone that another goal went in. Although Haigh had dealt with the aerial balls quite well he struggled when Killingworth finally had a shot at him.

Brazil didn’t crumble just yet though. It wasn’t until the last quarter of an hour that the flood gates opened. Killingworth scored four more to record a very flattering final scoreline. Brazil’s skipper, Dave Churchley was the man of the match.