Bramhall Rangers 3 White Russians 12
It's not only the German's that are beaten by the harsh Russian Winter!
Wey Hey! We scored! In a game the Ice Queen would have been more at home in, the Rangers got off to a flying start. Unfortunately the lead didnt last, and the White Russians, whose experience of dealing with the harsh winters was evident, ran out comfortable winners.
Despite the result though the Rangers can be reasonably satisfied with the performance. The same team as last week minus Rascle who was washing his pubes, saw Mini line up in goal probably for the last week and Piggy lead the line again. Nev as always was willing to step into the breach and Shiz and Mr T turned up wearing full thermal suits, Shiz especially feeling the cold! Pie was up for another game after being the only ever present last season.
Reports that it was -4 degrees were not too far off the mark, so it was important to start brightly and keep on our toes to keep warm, and amazingly the Rangers took the lead. Pie linked up well with Piggy down the left hand side and his heavily deflected shot span past the keeper. Cue rapturous celebrations! This is what a goal feels like! It was party time, reminiscent of the Trinidad & Tobago players reaching the World Cup finals for the first time!
The lead did not last too long as the Russian's hit back, forcing 2 goals to take the lead. In all fairness the main difference betwen the two sides was clinical finishing. One or two touches to create some space and then powerful low drives that left Mini with no chance. In terms of effort and passion neither side could be faulted. Mini did his best to keep the score paritable, clawing away numerous efforts, and some excellent reflex saves. However the laws of probability deem that the more times you shoot the more times you score, and predictably this was the case, the Russinas bagging 2 or 3 more before the end of the half. Mini again used all his utilities, for the third week in a row saving with his face which caused a banging headache for the remainder of the game.
Shiz was also in the wars. Piggy tried to shield a ball into the area, but it was never going to make it. Shiz sensing the danger and the incoming striker made up much ground to get accross just as the striker did. An almightly collission left Shiz looking groggy and winded. Piggy was perplexed but we have often said we don't mind if his antics get him hurt but when it puts other team mates at risk it is unacceptable. A tough lesson learnt, unfortunately Shiz feeling the brunt.
Second half started as usual, with Rangers keeping more solid than last week. Piggy started off after playing the whole first half, so it was a case of shut up shop for the first 10 minutes. And it worked quite well, the only criticism would be that we stood off the man too much and gave them space to shoot, a cardinal sin with the quality they had.
Despite a few more goals to the Russians the best to attempts on Mini's goal were in fact by Nev and Shiz! In identical situations too. Mini scampered accross to make a save on the left hand side of the area, the ball rebounding to the middle of the goal just outside the area. Both times Nev and Shiz diverted the ball back into the area for Mini, but a combination of fast pitch and heavy passes gave Mini some ground to make up, diving full strength to flick the ball away before it crossed the line!
Piggy adopted the 2 touch attacking policy in the second half as we had tried to persuade him to do. That being one touch to control and one to finish. And it worked wonders, stabbing home two well worked goals to give the scoreline some respectibility.
This game was not lost due to infighting or lack of effort, just a gulf in quality in the latter third of the pitch. With Belly returning next week, Mini will be looking to try his hand outfield and offer some more options in the attacking role.
Final score: Bramhall Rangers 3 White Russians 12
Goals: Pie (1), Piggy (2)
Wey Hey! We scored! In a game the Ice Queen would have been more at home in, the Rangers got off to a flying start. Unfortunately the lead didnt last, and the White Russians, whose experience of dealing with the harsh winters was evident, ran out comfortable winners.
Despite the result though the Rangers can be reasonably satisfied with the performance. The same team as last week minus Rascle who was washing his pubes, saw Mini line up in goal probably for the last week and Piggy lead the line again. Nev as always was willing to step into the breach and Shiz and Mr T turned up wearing full thermal suits, Shiz especially feeling the cold! Pie was up for another game after being the only ever present last season.
Reports that it was -4 degrees were not too far off the mark, so it was important to start brightly and keep on our toes to keep warm, and amazingly the Rangers took the lead. Pie linked up well with Piggy down the left hand side and his heavily deflected shot span past the keeper. Cue rapturous celebrations! This is what a goal feels like! It was party time, reminiscent of the Trinidad & Tobago players reaching the World Cup finals for the first time!
The lead did not last too long as the Russian's hit back, forcing 2 goals to take the lead. In all fairness the main difference betwen the two sides was clinical finishing. One or two touches to create some space and then powerful low drives that left Mini with no chance. In terms of effort and passion neither side could be faulted. Mini did his best to keep the score paritable, clawing away numerous efforts, and some excellent reflex saves. However the laws of probability deem that the more times you shoot the more times you score, and predictably this was the case, the Russinas bagging 2 or 3 more before the end of the half. Mini again used all his utilities, for the third week in a row saving with his face which caused a banging headache for the remainder of the game.
Shiz was also in the wars. Piggy tried to shield a ball into the area, but it was never going to make it. Shiz sensing the danger and the incoming striker made up much ground to get accross just as the striker did. An almightly collission left Shiz looking groggy and winded. Piggy was perplexed but we have often said we don't mind if his antics get him hurt but when it puts other team mates at risk it is unacceptable. A tough lesson learnt, unfortunately Shiz feeling the brunt.
Second half started as usual, with Rangers keeping more solid than last week. Piggy started off after playing the whole first half, so it was a case of shut up shop for the first 10 minutes. And it worked quite well, the only criticism would be that we stood off the man too much and gave them space to shoot, a cardinal sin with the quality they had.
Despite a few more goals to the Russians the best to attempts on Mini's goal were in fact by Nev and Shiz! In identical situations too. Mini scampered accross to make a save on the left hand side of the area, the ball rebounding to the middle of the goal just outside the area. Both times Nev and Shiz diverted the ball back into the area for Mini, but a combination of fast pitch and heavy passes gave Mini some ground to make up, diving full strength to flick the ball away before it crossed the line!
Piggy adopted the 2 touch attacking policy in the second half as we had tried to persuade him to do. That being one touch to control and one to finish. And it worked wonders, stabbing home two well worked goals to give the scoreline some respectibility.
This game was not lost due to infighting or lack of effort, just a gulf in quality in the latter third of the pitch. With Belly returning next week, Mini will be looking to try his hand outfield and offer some more options in the attacking role.
Final score: Bramhall Rangers 3 White Russians 12
Goals: Pie (1), Piggy (2)
posted by Mini at 10:10 am
2 Comments:
The word I've been looking for is soul-destroying. Thats the only way i can describe Piggy's performances recently.
Despite having obvious talent, he doesn't learn or listen. You could see in the game last night that after repeatedly making the same mistakes, everyones heads dropped.
What made it worse last night was even the referee commented on Piggy dribbling on the edge of his area instead of getting rid. He got lucky the first 4 times or so he did it, when losing the ball either some good saves or last gasp recoveries from the rest of the team saved him. But the 5th time they scored, and the ref said to their players as they were retaking their positions for the kick off that "it was about time you got one of them - he's given the ball away there so many times". Did he heed this warning? Nope, prefering to attempt to lose the ball instead of making the obvious pass.
I was detirmined last night not to have a go at Piggy, and i almost suceeded, losing my cool a couple of times but regaining my composure quickly. So frustrating, and it really is soul destroying in that the game might have been a bit closer if it hadn't been for the same old mistakes.
In fairness i thought the rest of the team coped well enough with the conditions and opposition. Shiz especially doing well to battle on in the second half despite obviously being in some pain. Mr T came close a couple of times, and you can see how much it will mean to him to get a goal for the Rangers!
What is worrying for myself this season is that after 2 games of the season, we have no points and Cheadle Utd have 3, after they beat The Griswalds. We really need an attacker or two who knows when to shoot and when to pass.
I know we're always supposed to look at the positives. but it wont hurt to air the negitives. I really think we should arrange a training session. Not a crappy shooting session, but actual training!! Some drills, passing, ball control. Stuff like that. Surely in the last 3 seasons we've not won more than 10? and its cost most of us £200 in fees.
I was talking to rick at the pub, and it was agreed. We're never gonna bring in better players. We're a bunch of mates that play footy. We're not a footy team! We all give it 100% and try our best. But its now been 11 games since our last win. Albeit with 2 draws in that time.
Lets Hope and Pray that with mini back, he can team up with piggy and we can start at least scoring more than a handful of goals!
Tho, may i say, well done on braving last nights temperatures! Argos do Adidas "midfielder" thermal football gloves for £15. With this being the coldest winter in 30 years, i may be purchasing some if i find them cheaper!!!
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