Bramhall Rangers 8 The Griswalds 9

2005 ends with a bang and a big announcement!

Rangers entered their last game of 2005, upbeat and determined to end the season well against a Griswald’s team that they have felt are a beatable side. The Christmas weekend had seen the Rangers indulge on the turkey, trimmings and Xmas pud, but still there was a good turn out.

Belly took his position between the posts; Nev, Pie, Mr T, Mini, Piggy and Lifey (in his first game since 20th October) making the final 7. The team looked well balanced, defensively there was cover for the absent Shiz, and with Piggy, Mini and Lifey in attack Hedderz was not missed. Pie was still recovering from his illness and by his own admission not up to par. However, the extra legs are always important.

Dr Holland has turned up for his first game in a long while. However, it was not in a playing capacity. In fact it was to announce his retirement from 5-a-side football. After a recent Achilles injury the Doc decided that after discussions with his family it was best to hang up his boots after an illustrious career in the blue of the Rangers. There will be a tribute at some point in the future. Dr H was kept company on the touchline by an ever-enthusiastic Jaya (all the way over from America purely for the game…well not quite, but the support is always welcome!)

Well, let’s get to the football. Rangers and Griswalds both started brightly, the Grissas taking the initiative with an early goal. Mini levelled things up again, striking into the bottom corner for his 6th goal of the season. As ever the trading of goals is not remembered exactly, but the Grissas did take the initiative, with some good football at times pegging back Rangers. A goal from Piggy after great work by Mr T gave the score line some parity. That assist was Mr T’s last telling contribution in the game. After starting very eagerly and coming close to a goal, The Fist fell awkwardly in a challenge and landed heavily on his hip and leg. With some discomfort he hobbled off, never to return, to be nursed in the warmth by Jaya.

Half time came with little more incident, and Rangers were still in touching distance, 4-2 at the break. Nev was holding the fort well as the only recognised defensive player, and Pie coughing up phlegm was a delight!

The usual second half capitulation was once again expected but was limited on this occasion. Some dodgy defending, especially from free kicks did allow the Grissas in a couple more times and the game seemed to be getting away from the Rangers. But the three-pronged attack of Mini, Lifey and Piggy (or Joe Cole, Robben and Drogba as they are known at in footballing circles…as who is up to you!) was always a threat. Lifey showed composure to get his first of the game, and Piggy rifled in a cracker, carrying over his form from last week. Some great link up play allowed Mini to grab his second too, coolly curling in across the face of the keeper.

It was about this time where a curious passage of play ensued. After managing to wriggle his was clear and one on one with the keeper, Piggy seemed to have a fit rather than strike the ball. Jiggling about on the spot, pointing wildly at the ball. What was going through his mind is anyone’s guess!

As mentioned the game never got away from the Rangers, and this was evident in the desire to win the ball. Both sides tackled hard and only on a few occasions did this boil over but were no more than a spat. Going into the last 10 minutes Rangers were 4 behind, but eager to get the goals. Pie took a shot in the sprouts, just underlining the commitment to the team and the no fear attitude. Taking on a role of holding up the ball for the wide players to feed off, Pie accomplished this well, and can take credit for some good touches and persistent running.

The front three turned on the style, with some exquisite link up play. Mini grabbed 2 more, of similar style. One touch passing and finishing, and Lifey grabbed his second, with a crisp left foot finish. Now within one goal Rangers sensed a point at least. But alas the whistle blew and, as on numerous other occasions, they fell just short.

Going into 2006, Rangers will hope for an injury-free end to the campaign and hopefully picking up a few points along the way.

Final score: Bramhall Rangers 8 The Griswalds 9
Goals: Piggy (2), Lifey (2), Mini (4)

This report was brought to you by Mini Adventures...first for interesting things.

Bramhall Rangers 9 Paul Stockton 17

Christmas provides no cheer for Rangers as they are stuffed and come out looking like turkeys against Paul Stockton the Christmas Crackers! (and any other Xmas puns you can think of...)

The last fixture before Christmas saw the Rangers pitted against newbie’s Paul Stockton for an early kick off. The time meant that Hedderz could make his first appearance of the season and for some time, November 3rd to be exact. In a team resembling full strength, Belly returned in goal after over 6 weeks out. Shiz, Pie (nursing a cold), Nev, Piggy and Mini made up the likely suspects.

Fist impressions of the new opposition were that they were a strong, athletic team and this proved to be the case. Pace and clinical finishing were the undoing of the Rangers. BRFC did not disgrace themselves though, and did battle all the way, scoring some well crafted goals.

As with many games past, Rangers started brightly, grabbing the first goal of the game. If memory serves, Pie battled down the right flank and diverted a ball into Piggy’s path. Arriving at an awkward height, Piggy volleyed into the top corner, doing very well to keep the ball down.

The goals were traded very evenly in the first 15 minutes. Stockton hit back, only for Mini to grab a goal for the Rangers, slotting home with an accurate finish. Belly was nervous in the sticks and admitted after that the time out had thrown his game slightly. Never the less, some instinctive saves showed that he was nearly back to his best. On occasions he was hotter than an OVEN!!!! Lady luck was on his side too on a number of occasions.

Hedderz added another attacking option, and was on target in the first half, guiding home from the right hand side. Throughout the first half and the rest of the game, Nev and Shiz provided resolute defence, with Pie mopping up loose balls and trying to break up attacks. Mini took on the creative role, feeding passes into Piggy and creating space for team mates.

Half time came and it was 9-6 to Stockton. Rangers were within touching distance, but as always a second half collapse was feared. And that collapse was what occurred, weathering initial early pressure, Stockton pulled away, the tall striker being a particular nemesis, showing great strengthm skill and finishing with both feet to pull away.

Rangers didn’t stop battling, and for more luck in the final third could have pushed them further. Piggy added to his personal tally, more excellent finishing from all areas of the pitch. One particular goal, saw Piggy show strength and skill down the boards, ignore shouts from Mini for a pass and rifle the ball across the keeper into the top corner.

Shiz, who had battled tirelessly all game deservedly scored only his second goal since the 4th August!!! A massive four and a half months ago (sorry to mention that Shiz!) when he netted in a 15-3 defeat against 3TArmy and most recently against Monkhouse Gladbach in an 11-10 defeat. A free kick won in the corner by Hedderz was taken quickly, sliding it across the area for Shiz to tap into the open goal.

Paul Stockton were deserving of their victory this week, and proved one of the most irrefutable teams we have faced for some time. Rangers battled well but were outclassed on the day.

Christmas gives the Rangers chance to let their hair down and the Secret Santa will no doubt provide many laughs.

Final Score: Bramhall Rangers 9 Paul Stockton 17
Goals: Piggy (5), Hedderz (2), Mini (1), (Shiz (1)

NB. This is the last report before Christmas so here’s wishing you an enjoyable festive period and all the best for the New Year!!

Awards history.

Pie and I created a bit of an awards history page, so we can see past and current holders of the various awards. It is currently situated under the Gallery button, until Belly pulls his finger out and changes it!!

Enjoy, and any changes wanted leave a message.

Bramhall Rangers 5 Northern Canaries 8

Mr T pities the foos!!!

An absolute humdinger of a battle this week saw Northern Canaries, the old adversary with whom the Rangers normally have a close game, facing a depleted BRFC. Again a threadbare team turned up for BRFC, Nev a late addition, overcoming a cold to make a 6th man. Pie started in goal, Shiz and Mr T made the defensive duet and Piggy and Mini lead the line.

Kicking off at 22:00 the conditions were good, not too cold, no rain or wind. A tentative start by both teams was not how the game would pan out, with some fiery challenges, great goals, interesting goal keeping and penalties littered throughout the game.

Rangers did take the lead, collecting inside the Canaries half and guiding a well place effort past the keeper. 1-0 and all looked rosy. Pegged back to 1-1, it was end to end stuff, chances for both sides and the score kept low by some wayward finishing by the Rangers and some “interesting” keeping by Pie. Elbows, knees, tits and arse were all used at some point to repel the shots.

Then came a great moment in BRFC folklore, Mr T chased a hopeful ball into the left hand corner, and after good battling created some space. Mini was screaming for the ball to be laid off to the edge of the area for a tap in, but T, showing the killer instinct that has been lacking fired home from an angle that seemed to defy the laws of physics. Cue wild celebrations as T’s first goal in two seasons gave the Rangers the lead back, and more importantly put him ahead of Rascle (who incidentally was nursing a toe injury!) in the scoring charts for the season.

Other notable incidents in the first half were Pie (in another bizarre attempt to catch the ball) clattering backwards into the post/crossbar and lying face down in the sand. A sight that has become all too common! The fouling little number 6 with the specs was playing his usual games, shirt pulling and blatant pushes which got very frustrating. However, he did get his comeuppance in the 2nd half….

Half time came and it was about 5-3 to the Canaries. Piggy had added his first goal of the game, a rasping drive from someway out, showing glimpses of what he has to offer.

Second half and the Rangers started brightly, and created some good opportunities with some good football. Mini did the speccy guy all ends up in the corner only to be cynically yanked back by the shirt. Seeing a red mist, a few moments later Mini steamed in and performed what can only be described as a magical tackle* to dispossess the cheating get.

The two sides exchanged goals and Canaries were never more than 2 ahead. Mini and Pie swapped for the last 15-20 minutes allowing Pie to give Rangers some fresh legs!! And, true to fashion Pies impact was almost immediate, dancing wildly on the edge of his own area to control a bouncing ball, Pie managed to avoid contact with the ball but did end up in the area, and a penalty was harshly awarded. It was the big guy versus Mini. And it was the keeper that came out on top, diving to his right to claw away a very poorly struck shot.

The game panned out, much as it had begun, with end to end football. After Mini went in goal one more was conceded due to lapse defending from a free kick. That was a feature of the game and something that needs to be worked on, concentrating all the time.

Piggy added to his tally, grabbing two more goals to complete his hat-trick, with some excellent finishing. There were opportunities for more but a failure with the final ball was the main reason why the score line finished 8-5. One more game before Xmas, and the Rangers should be somewhere near full strength with Belly returning in the sticks and hopefully Hedderz able to make the early kick-off.

Final Score: Bramhall Rangers 5 Northern Canaries 8
Goals: Mini (1). Piggy (3), Mr T (1)

* For “tackle” read: “absolute snorter of a foul that led to a bit of a flare up that didn’t actually involve Mini as he was satisfied his work was done, but involved Pie (who else:)) and the big guy exchanging words”.

Squad Profiles

Squad profiles up now. Tried to keep it fairly tongue in cheek, so please don't get offended!

Just click on the Squad button in the links on the left.

Anything you would like to maker comment on please do. Any information I've missed please let me know and I'll update it.

I'll add others to the list as and when I get round to it. Will probably have a section for ringers (e.g. Gregg) added at the bottom, and I'll stick Anton in somewhere to.

Apologies...

...for the missing match report. I had most of it prepared at work to finish off at home but apparently forgot to email it to myself to post.

Rather than start it again, the report will go up first thing Monday.

For anyone inconvenienced by this I offer you £20 in rail vouchers as compensation.

Bramhall Rangers Online Shop : Reminder

Christmas is nearly here, so don't forget to visit Bramhall Rangers Online Shop to buy that gift that you can't get anywhere.

All proceeds go back to the Rangers pot for registration, match fees or the end of season awards ceremony.

Happy shopping!

Updated Stats

Sorry people, been a little slack. Updated the stats but then kept forgetting to upload it. Anyway this season's miserable reading is here.

Hopefully we should find out what is happening with our game with Cheadle Utd tomorrow. As soon as Mini knows, we'll know.

Bramhall Rangers 10 Monkhouse Gladbach 11

Close, but no cigar!!

The return of Mini heralded a change in the attacking fortunes for the Rangers this week. After nine weeks out, Mini took to the astro in an outfield role, eager to put some of the past performances to bed. In one of the most balanced teams they had fielded for sometime, 3 attackers and 3 defenders made up the 6 outfield, and Pie was the third keeper in recent seasons, nursing an ankle injury.

The team consisted of Pie, Mr T, Shiz, Nev, Piggy, Mini and a workmate of Shiz's, Abrar who proved a very tricky customer and was a key in the Rangers improved performance. Rascle, Belly, Dr Holland were the regulars who were once again absent.

The opposition this week were newbys Monkhouse Gladbach who had had an equally poor start to the season. It would turn out to be a very close game.

Admittedly the Rangers started poorly. Gladbach looked a yard quicker and managed to quickly get into a comfortable lead. 3 or 4 up with no reply and it seemed like deja vu. But, Rangers battled away and managed to register. Mini picked the ball up on the edge of the area and stabbed it through the keepers legs. It came as a welcome relief after so long without him scoring. It breathed life into the Rangers and how they only managed 1 more before half time is anyone's guess. Abrar grabbed that goal, arriving midway through the first half, his touch and skill created a few opportunities, one of which he took. All players were guilty of missing chances, Mr T shooting across the face of the goal and crashing a shot off the woodwork after good work by Mini.

The half time scoreline was very harsh on the Rangers. 8-2 it was, but so many chances had gone begging.In a stark contrast to previous weeks though the Rangers remained calm and collected, only managing to introduce ourselves to Abrar in the half time break. Rangers came out flying and linked up really well. Defending strongly and breaking from the back. Abrar grabbed 2 or 3 more and Mini also registered his hatrick, stearing home from a Pie throw out and lashing in through a crowd of players.

Piggy notched a goal too, and after so many chances had been narrowly missed it was deserved, tapping in off a rebound from a Mini shot. There was a bit of a collapse midway through the half and Monkhouse did increase their lead after a bit of poor defending and lack of communication. Pie was equal to most but some of the shots swerved and dipped ferociously. Taking Mini's lead and saving with the face was also a highlight of the game!

The two goals of the game came from Abrar (turning and weaving on the edge of the area and deftly finishing into the bottom corner), and Shiz (!) with a lovely finish on the half volley after an excellent team build up.

Due to the nature of the game, and the concentration levels, no-one new how close it was. Maybe because the Rangers were playing with no pressure they freed up a bit. It was only after the final whistle that we found out there was one goal in it. The ref admitted he had played 1 minute extra to see if we could equalise, as he thought we had played really well and deserved a point.

Alas, it wasn't to be, but a much improved performance, admittedly helped by Abrar, but even in spite of that the Rangers can be happy with their performance. Definitely more positives than negatives!

Final score: Rangers 10 Monkhouse Gladbach 11

Goals: Abrar (5), Mini (3), Piggy (1), Shiz (1)