Rangers 1 Puss in Boots 11

Mini is a crock in boots!

Another disappointing week for the Rangers, who were hoping to get a double over Puss in Boots. A pretty strong team turned up, the same as the week before and the weather was decent if not spectacular.

Puss in Boots’ had improved their early season form and were third in the league, and had a much stronger team that the last time the two teams met, and unfortunately it showed.

The Rangers were not helped by Mini picking up a recurrence of his ankle ligament injury (out for 7-10 weeks), turning and falling awkwardly in an innocuous challenge. This was after only 5 minutes or so, so left Rangers with an uphill struggle.

Again, due to injury I did not focus on much of the 1st half, however, Rangers only managed the one, Piggy getting it after good tackling from Pie. The usual errors such as lack of communication and lack of support for teammates was the Rangers undoing. Belly did his best to stem the tide and managed to keep the score lower than was probably warranted, though did catch the Rangers-itus letting one slip through his legs!

I think a key problem we face is that too many in the team are happy to take on the defensive responsibilities are few are unwilling to take responsibility in the attacking third. The team tends to agree that when we defend, we try to as a team and get the plaudits as a team, but it seems that when we attack, if the “strikers” aren’t hitting the net then it is them that are failing the team. Why defend as a team and attack as individuals? It makes no sense.

With players like Hedderz missing and Mini having missed a lot of games this season there is perfect opportunity for someone to step to the fore and make a name for themselves. Piggy does a decent job and tries 100% I feel, but with a lack of support and what would seem to be the teams attacking prowess resting solely on his shoulders it is a hard skill to master.

Don’t forget, after Mini departed there were still 5 other outfield players. Maybe the problem lies in that quite often we have 1 (at most 2) attackers and 5 defence minded players in the team. It is going to be harder with just Piggy in upcoming games, hopefully Hedderz will be able to make a couple of games.

In future lets do what we do in defence and take responsibility as a team.

Final Score: Rangers 1 Puss in Boots 11
Goals: Piggy(1)

A Bramhall Rangers t-shirt?

And look - it's in Belly's style and colour!

Available from http://www.deezteez.com/

3 T Army 11 Bramhall Rangers 2

Rangers outclassed and outplayed.

A very difficult game this week as Rangers faced the league leaders 3 T Army in a repeat of the opening game of the season. Back to full strength with Piggy, Mini and Shiz returning, Dr Holland and Mr T available and the usual suspects in Pie, Belly and Rascle who was hoping to make it 4 goals in 4.

Rangers always new it was going to be hard after a convincing defeat last time out and it was more a case or pride and saving face.

The game started at a reasonable pace, 3T Army notching about 3 goals without reply, until Piggy crashed one in from wide right, to which the keeper exclaimed “I never saw it!). That was quickly followed by Mini’s first goal since his return, turning sharply to shake off the defender and toe poking past the advancing keeper.

Mini was eager for the game, but had had the stuffing knocked out of him early in the game, taking a very hard ball full in the nose/mouth which left him seeing stars! Dr Holland is the main culprit for this stray beast of a strike!! Never really fully recovering it was a tough game up front. Returning from a few weeks out is always hard, and Shiz also felt he was a yard off the pace.

That was as good as it got for the Rangers. T Army grabbed 11 in total and the Rangers could not build on the 2. BRFC by no means disgraced themselves and will be glad two of the hardest games are out of the way.

One beacon of light, and we say this regularly, was Belly in goal, frustrating the opposition with some fine saves. Unfortunately Rascle couldn’t add to his tally.

Final Score: 3 T Army 11 Rangers 2
Goals: Mini (1), Piggy (1)

Bramhall Rangers On Tour

Courtesy of http://atom.smasher.org/pack/

Look-A-Likes 5

I don't know why no-one has posted this before, but it really is the obvious one...its been said many a time, now here's the proof.



Big Rick is Phil Mitchell.

Bramhall Rangers 3 Northern Canaries 8

Rangers like a caged bird!

A frustrating game more than anything this week, as once again the Rangers failed to beat a mediocre Northern Canaries team. In the end it came down to who could cope with the wet conditions the best, Canaries coming out on top.

Admittedly the team was depleted; Piggy, Mini, Shiz, Dr Holland and Lifey missing for various reasons. The team was Belly in the sticks, Nev, Rascle, Mr T, Pie and Hedderz making a rare appearance.

The weather was poor, Piggy and Mini braving the wet and wind to huddle under the umbrella and kick every ball.

Rangers started brightly enough actually taking the lead, with Hedderz slotting in a goal from the right side of the pitch. From the on though it seemed to go downhill. A couple of players seemed disinterested and unfit, whereas a couple of the less gifted players really pushed on and gave 110%.

Canaries coped well with the conditions, control and touch giving them more scoring opportunities. You could probably count on one hand the number of times the Canaries keeper was tested. Rangers put themselves under pressure with poor control, poor choices of pass for the conditions and again poor communication. There did not seem to be the team ethic and players seemed to leave others to fend for themselves in the corners and take the easy option, treating the ball like a hot potato, not willing to take on responsibility.

Much of the first half paled into insignificance for the Rangers, Canaries going in at the break about 5-1 up. The conditions didn’t pick up and it was clear most of the Rangers would rather have been somewhere else!!

Second half started and there was a slight improvement, pushing the Canaries back for a 10-minute spell and creating a few more chances. Belly was a little more protected in goal but the same can’t be said for his nuts, which took one hell of a beating!

Amazingly, and deservedly Rascle topped another decent workmanlike performance with a goal. Controlling well on the edge of the area and dinking it over the advancing keeper for three in three for the big defender. In a personal battle with Mr T this was a crucial goal, with Mr T actually further behind in the tally after a first half own goal put him in the negative for the season!

Another unlikely scorer gave the score line some more parity, Nev driving the ball home after it bobbled loose on the edge of the box. His first since his return was welcome albeit a little too late. Canaries did notch a couple of goals themselves in the 2nd half, “Hey you guys!” jammily flicking in a rebound after a good Belly save.

That was the story of the game really, Rangers never really spreading their wings (sorry, trying to keep the bird metaphor going!), and ended up getting shat on from a great height, much like Pie in Scandinavia!

Next week Rangers should be something like near full strength. Mini, Shiz and Piggy returning after the Great North Run and they will look to try and get the season back on track.

Final Score: Bramhall Rangers 3 Northern Canaries 8
Goals: Hedderz (1), Rascle (1), Nev (1)

Oh, and they have updated Powerleague.co.uk and the 21 goals against are up from last week!:(

Bramhall Rangers 4 White Russians 21 (11)

It never rains, but it pours!!

A damp and disconsolate Bramhall Rangers trudged off at 20:30 last night, knowing that they had been outplayed by a fitter, more skilful team but safe in the knowledge that all had given 110% for the cause.

White Russians were a much changed and improved team from last season and had some very clinical and skilful players, which BRFC were no match for. The Rangers lined up with Belly in the sticks and Pie, Shiz, Rascle, Mr T, Lifey and Nev outfield on what was one of the wettest nights for sometime. Mini and Piggy were absent, being cautious before the GNR, and Dr H was missing. Hedderz was unable to make it.

From the off it was clear it was going to be an uncomfortable game, the ball zipping off the turf with control and passing letting the Rangers down. Very quickly it was 4-0 to the Russians, mainly due to mistakes in the wet weather. Lifey stabbed home a good goal to give the score line some parity but it was as effective as the levees in New Orleans at stopping the tide!

Lifey had a decent game in terms of goals, and picked up 2 more to complete a first half hat trick, all decent finishes, one coming after a well worked free kick from Pie. The highlight of the game for rangers again was Rascle finishing with aplomb with a lovely right foot curler after a superb through ball from Pie. The crowd went wild, Rascle nearly threw up and we had the defibrillator on stand by!!! His work rate was probably the best of the night and warranted the unofficial MOTM award.

12-4 at half time and it seemed that Rangers had managed to peg back the Russians. The rain did not relent for the 2nd half, Belly suffering with the slippery gloves and ball zipping off the turf. Oh, for a pair of Rascle’s marigolds!!

White Russians were clinical and not cocky, completing a very professional and damning defeat with excellent one touch passing and finishing. They adapted and coped with the conditions well and fully deserved the comfortable win. Rangers failed to add to their tally in the 2nd half.

Final score: Rangers 4 White Russians 21 (but it says 11 on www.powerleague.co.uk - so thanks ref!!)
Goals: Lifey (3), Rascle (1)

Updated Stats

Just updated the stats after tonight's effort. Have a look HERE if you dare!

Next week is a 7.30pm kick off against White Russians.

Mini will be sticking up a report sometime soon, so check back to see that.

Bonds

As you may also remember, many of you kind people agreed to put money in to by a Stockport County bond. These bonds were to form part of the money the Stockport County Trust needed in order to take over the club.
The Trust have now asked that those people who pledged to by a bond actually stump up the money.

That means I need money from you guys. If you remember we decided to by one Bond in Bramhall Rangers name. One bond cost £50. Between 10 of us that means £5 each.

The sooner you can provide the money, the better. We really need to have given the money for the bond by 9th September.

If you want any more details, have a look on the Stockport County Trust's website.

On behalf of the Trust, thanks people. You have helped make a difference!

---

UPDATE : I recieved money from Shiz, Belly, Russ, Piggy, Mark and Anton. Just waiting on Big Rick and Justin. Remember that if we ever have a cup run past the first round there is a chance you might get some money back (we aren't talking mega bucks here, but anything is better than a kick in the face!!!).

Golden Boot standings

Just been looking at the Golden Boot as they stand, and it is quite close at the moment!

Mini - 6
Hedderz - 6
Piggy- 6
Pie - 4
Shiz - 2
Lifey - 1
Big Rick - 1
Russ - 1

Rangers 3 TNC 6

Honeymoon period over!

Rangers slipped to only their 2nd defeat of the season last night, succumbing to an average TNC team. The Rangers put in a decidedly average performance themselves, and although TNC never put the game beyond Rangers it was difficult to see the Rangers getting anything from the game.

Dr H returned to the squad after a bout of a virus and Mr T settled back in after his globetrotting. Lifey made his second performance of the season, as Mini was merely a spectator, missing his first game with injury.

Belly, Piggy, Pie and Shiz made up the rest of the team. TNC were a new team who had not been encountered before and although they looked quick and fit, were nowhere near the best we had played against.

Rangers took the lead with Dr H finishing of a fine move with a curling right foot shot from distance after good build up play. It was soon 1-1; though Rangers did nick the lead again with Pie finishing from a very tight angle after good work down the left had side. TNC didn’t seem to cause to many problems as often their shooting was wayward, but towards the end of the half they seemed to move up a gear and went in at the break with a 4-2 lead. Some of the defending and communication from the Rangers was poor, and Belly will be disappointed with one of the goals. Beyond that, and the odd throw out, Belly did keep many one on one chances out, marshalling the edge of his area with great precision and determination.

The Rangers gave their attackers far to much time and space on the ball, but were not afforded the same luxury themselves. A lack of movement and passing was a big problem.

Second half was low scoring again, the Rangers only adding one to their tally. It was however a decent goal, Lifey playing a through ball and a first time (?) effort from Rascle nestled in, quite similar to Dr H’s. It was scant reward for the Rangers tough, who conceded 2 more as tiredness and committing men forward in search of the goals led to gaps at the back.

Rangers were never outplayed and another day may have finished their chances, Lifey, Pie, Piggy and Rascle all squandered opportunities. Next time, we will all be a little wiser and prepared for the game and it should prove an interesting encounter. Ranger scan take heart as although they didn’t seem to defend that well, the score was kept down.

Dropping a place in the league Rangers now lie 3rd. It will be the same squad next week against White Russians whose early season form has dipped. They were a beatable team but the Rangers will need to be on their game.

Things to take into next week would be for players to take some responsibility. If it is easier for you to put a tackle in rather than wait for someone to run the length of the pitch to do it for you then do so. It may not be your man, but at the end of the day we are a team and need to help one another out.

Final Score: Rangers 3 TNC 6
Goals: Pie (1), Dr H (1), Rascle (1)