Rangers 18 Cheadle Utd 3

The Bramhall Rangers CUT is the deepest!

Rangers continued their run of good form with a very comfortable victory over Division 6 whipping boys Cheadle Utd Thursday. Both teams came into the game with contrasting fortunes. Rangers had picked up 4 points from the last two games whereas CUT had been heavily defeated in recent games.

Rangers were slightly short on players. Belly was still undergoing physio for his injured knee, Rascle was nursing one of his many ailments. Sometimes you think he is here but for the grace of god! Defensive stalwarts Nev and Shiz were living up the footballer’s lifestyle, cavorting with the ladies at ‘Tiger Tiger’ in Manchester. The line up saw Pie once again taking one for the team and getting between the sticks. Mini, Piggy, Hedderz (allowed outside after getting permission from the boss) and Mr T. Hedderz mate from work, Keith, was drafted in to play, providing willing running, a strong tackle and excellent vision. As you can see the team was top heavy in that there was only one recognised defender in Mr T. However, this didn’t prove to be a problem, as Rangers cruised to victory.

Due to the large number of goals scored it was impossible to keep track of the order, let alone descriptions of the majority. I will highlight some of the key moments in the game, which had controversy as well as goal mouth action.

Rangers started on the front foot, but it still took 5 minutes to get the first goal. After that they did come quite freely, Mini and Piggy sharing the majority of the goals. Piggy scored with his first touch after replacing Mini and showed some clinical finishing throughout. CUT did manage to get the score to 2-1 (when a shot took a deflection off the inside of Piggy’s ankle and wrong footed Pie), but that was as close as they got in the whole game. In the first half, they did battle a bit as they probably sensed we were one of the weaker sides in the league; our position would give weight to that theory.

Mr T was in and around the action most of the time, just failing to find that finishing touch, including smacking one off the post. Keith was spraying the passes well and breaking up play. How he did not register with a goal is anyone’s guess. Throughout the game he must have hit both bar and post on both goals, and brought about several good saves from their keeper.

The main talking point of the first half was a penalty to the Rangers. A ball across the face of the area saw Mini and a defender challenging on the edge of the box. The defender could not avoid encroaching into the area, and the whistle went. Mini took the penalty (his first since a pen miss several seasons ago) and dispatched it to the side of the keeper.

Half time came, and Rangers were comfortable, if not home and dry, with a lead of 8-2 (IIRC!). Pie had had one or two saves to make, but the team as a whole were disappointed to concede those goals as in truth CUT were little threat.

The second half yielded more goals for the Rangers. Hedderz managed to register a few and would have had more had easy passes been taken. Due to the nature of the game it was understandable that the attackers would try to boost personal tally, however, BRFC are a team and we need to play like one to keep the unity. Far too many times players were open, but not found with an easy pass. Head down and run was often a very poor option.

Two incidents stand out in the second half, above and beyond anything else. Firstly, after Mini had been pressed into the corner, the CUT player did not retreat in order to let him play the ball. After being told 2-3 times the ref (who had a good game) blew for the free kick. In sheer frustration the CUT player launched into a tirade of foul and abusive language at the ref, which led to a 2 minute sin bin. As if things weren’t bad enough for them they now had to cope with just 3 outfield players! As expected Rangers capitalised on this with a few more goals.

Then came another great moment for the Rangers. Mr T who had played diligently and unselfishly was able to get he goal he so desperately craved. Mini and Piggy linked up to provide Mr T with a pass. With a strike Laurent Robert would be proud of (left foot!), Mr T dispatched the ball into the side of the goal. Cue rapturous celebrations as he doubled his tally for the season.

The celebrations were loud enough to wake Pie. Finding a duvet and some pillows Pie was able to take a nap in the goal area due to lack of action at his end of the pitch. Wiping the sleep from his eyes, Pie encouraged Rangers to go for the jugular. And that is what they did. CUT capitulated. Infighting, long shots and players playing for themselves was their undoing. Many more goals were scored by Piggy and Mini and Hedderz was able to pick up a hat trick. Both teams swapped keepers for the last 5 minutes. Mini took the gloves and hoped for a hassle free end to the game. Pie wanted to match Mr T and get his second of the season.

Frustratingly neither of these occurred. Pie was given little of the ball, but did light up the game with some delightful skill to create an opening. “Pieonaldo”, he will forever be known! After yet another head down dancing charade from Piggy, CUT were presented with a goal scoring opportunity with they grasped with both hands. The ball evaded Mini and nestled in the goal.

Disappointingly that was to be the last kick, therefore goal, of the game. There was just enough time for kick off as the ref blew his whistle.

A very clinical performance from the Rangers lifted them off the foot of the table, which was a great achievement. CUT were demoralised and defeated, suffering a heavy defeat for not the first time this season.

Final score: Rangers 18 Cheadle Utd 3
Goals: Hedderz (3), Piggy (7), Mr T (1), Mini (7)

Bramhall Rangers 9 Monkhouse Gladbach 9

Crouch, Forlan, Stead and Nev….keeping great company!

Rangers faced third bottom Monkhouse Gladbach this week in a basement battle. Rangers still have the chance to climb to second bottom this season, with an outside possibility of third bottom if results in the remaining games went their way.

In the last meeting Rangers had narrowly been beaten 10-11, so were hoping to better that score this time. With Belly still sidelined (literally, as he was supporting with Charlotte), Pie was once again in goals. Mr T returned in defence along side Nev. A side note on Nev; he was hoping to end his barren run of not scoring, last finding the net on the 15th September 2005 against Northern Canaries, over 4 months ago. Was this to be his day?

Piggy, Mini and Hedderz made the final six, which meant the team was slightly top heavy in terms of attacking players. Shiz and Rascle, both defensive players, were absent. As the game panned out it was clear that Rangers missed a defence minded player as sometimes there was too much space and time on the ball for the Gladbach players.

Gladbach started well, and picked up an early goal, carving through the Rangers defence. The score in the first half never got away from Rangers though, pegging them back level on a number of occasions. Mini grabbed the first equaliser after a one-two with Hedderz, who also registered with a goal.

At times the Rangers defending seemed panicky, mainly due to a lack of communication. Pie did his best to maintain some sort of order but it was mainly chaos. In the first half though, Gladbach did not capitalise on the disarray that much, and it was 3-3 (IIRC) at half time. Rangers were still in it, but disappointed with the first half showing.

Unfortunately, it got worse in the second half, it wasn’t a spectacular collapse as has been witnessed, but Gladbach did pull away. Wayward shooting from the Rangers and misplaced passes in the first 12-15 minutes gave chances to the opponents, who were deft enough to race into a 7-3 lead. The heads of the Rangers obviously dropped. Mr T and Nev managed to restore some parity in defence and also provided outlets on the wings. Both were unfortunate not to register a goal. With the pressure off and seemingly resigned to a defeat Rangers picked up their game. The defending improved ten fold and the link up play too. A quick ball out from Pie found Mini with his back to goal inside the opposition half. In a carbon copy of a previous goal, Mini “Thierry Henry’d it” into the top right corner with his left foot. Game on!!

Resurgence flowed through the Rangers and Monkhouse were tiring. Piggy grabbed his first and only goal of the game with a good goal that he dug out from his feet. Hedderz registered a couple more too. In one incident, Pie had injured his ankle making a save and was rolling around in his area, with Rangers holding the ball in the middle of the park. The ref stopped play to tend to Pie. On the restart from the keeper, Pie bowled in to Hedderz, but the Gladbach players were slow to react and Hedderz managed to score without much opposition. Sandwiched between the all the Rangers goals were a couple more for Monkhouse. Hedderz final goal of the game proved to be the last to grab a draw for the Rangers.
Had the game continued for 5 more minutes Rangers probably would have won, but their overall performance would not have warranted that. A draw was the right result.

Furthermore, Nev’s search for a goal goes on. But remember, it took Peter Crouch 26 games to get a goal for Liverpool, Diego Forlan took 27 games to break his duck for Man Utd and Jon Stead has gone 27 games and still counting for Sunderland. So fear not young Nev, the goal will come!!

Final score: Bramhall Rangers 9 Monkhouse Gladbach 9
Goals: Mini (4), Hedderz (4), Piggy (1)

Great Manchester Run 2006

It's that time of year again folks! The registration for the Manchester Run has opened. Lets try and get as many of us signed up as possible and make a real day of it. Raise some money for charity, personal achievement, the buzz of the day but most importantly fun!!

So far we have Mini, Shiz, Pie, Piggy and Charlotte committed to the run! It would be great to get a few more.

The link to the site for anyone to sign up is on the links section on the left hand side, but here it is again!

Great Manchester Run 2006!

Remember, it's a run not a race! Lets make it a day to remember!

(PS. Once you pay it is an added incentive to get off your backsides and get fit!)

Small update

Made a small update to the fixtures and results page.

If you click on Matches on the left, you will be taken to the details of the current season. At the bottom of the table I have added links to previous seasons, right back to the first season at Powerleague, Spring 2005.

Just makes it easier to look back on earlier seasons.

Bramhall Rangers 6 Puss in Boots 4

Ranger’s Pu(t)ss the Boot in!

It has been a massive 10 weeks since the Rangers last even managed to earn a point! That was in a 4-4 draw with Northern Canaries. We would have to go back even further for the last time Bramhall Rangers collected all 3 points! However, this week proved to be the game when all the hard work of recent performances and improving play enabled Rangers to put an end to that horrible chain of results.

And what a game to do it in! Puss in Boots are riding high at the top of the league. Their record was impressive, without being clinical. Their games tended to be very low scoring, giving the impression that although we may be able to cope in defence it would be difficult to create chances too.

The balance of the team this week was excellent. One player that was missing, and will be for sometime, was two time player of the season Belly. Belly has had to visit the doctors and hospital on-and-off this week, troubled by a knee injury. Unsure as to its full extent, Belly will be out for a considerable time. He was joined by Rascle, Mr T and Hedderz on the absentee list for differing reasons. Pie took the gloves, and the outfield squad consisted of Shiz, Nev, Mini, Piggy and Lifey. There was good balance to the side.

Puss in Boots line up with one extra player, and looked a fit and athletic side. The weather was perfect if not a little cold. “Fan of the Month” Charlotte was once again present to offer her support.

Rangers started the game very brightly, and right from the whistle showed their intent with some good attacking play. Pressure on the ball was good, giving PIB no room to manoeuvre or create chances themselves. It was some good pressure on the ball in the corner that let to the first goal. The defender was pressured by Mini into a back pass that deflected off the boards, straight to Shiz who was using his predatory instinct to coolly score the first of the game.

The first half continued in a similar vein. Great defending from all the Rangers, and Pie marshalling his defence excellently, pulling of some great saves when called upon. Always precarious with just the one goal lead, Rangers pushed on. The ball broke loose and Lifey and Mini found themselves bearing down on the keeper, with just one defender in their path. Lifey unselfishly took the defender wide and squared the ball to Mini who finished just to the side of the keeper! 2-0! Lifey’s creative brain was very important in unlocking the defence on a number of occasions.

Amazingly there was only one more goal in the first half. Thinking they could go in with a two goal lead, a momentary lapse of concentration at the end of the half gifted PIB a lifeline. The attacker finishing into an empty net after the ball broke free on the edge of the box. That pretty much signalled the end of the half and the rangers were slightly downbeat after conceding an undeserved goal, but regrouped well for the second half.

The second half heralded the arrival of Piggy on the scene. Again starting well, Piggy gathered the ball on the right and scored low into the corner to give Rangers a cushion. On occasions in the past this would only have delayed the inevitable, but not this time. PIB were still struggling under great pressure from Rangers. How could they be losing to bottom of the league Rangers! Being outplayed too!! That wasn’t how it was supposed to be! In-fighting, sniping and petulant fouls (all too often a feature of Rangers play!) littered the PIB play, resorting to long shots against a more than competent Pie.

They did get another though, a free kick laid off to the striker to stab home bringing them back in touch with BRFC. However, Mini stepped up his game too, and shook off attempted tackles to get his second of the game. Pie kept Rangers ahead with a flying save to his right, just deflecting a long distance effort onto angle of bar and post. Save of the game!

The law of averages dictated that PIB would get some joy with the long distance efforts, and it was one that ricocheted off the boards to the feet of the attacker which gave them a third. They sensed a comeback, but Rangers held strong. Mini collected a loose, bouncing ball to crash home for his hat-trick, and Piggy, who had worked tirelessly all game, grabbed a welcome 6th with a powerful right foot drive that eluded the keeper.

A tactical sub to bring Shiz back on for the last 4 minutes was a great move. Shiz and Nev had been rocks in defence all game, and deserved to be on the pitch at the end. A last gasp goal for PIB evading Pie’s dive was no more than a consolation goal, and the whistle went giving Rangers a well deserved and long overdue 3 points!

The result puts Bramhall within touching distance of Cheadle Utd, who lost heavily 35-3 last night. Goal difference could be a deciding factor at the end of the season, especially with the two still to meet.

Final Score: Bramhall Rangers 6 Puss in Boots 4
Goals: Shiz (1), Mini (3), Piggy (2)

No surrender, no surrender, no surrender to the IR.......

Thought I would open this one to everyone.

I have booked Charlotte and I on flights for a weekend break to Belfast in April.

Outbound: 20:20 on Friday 7th April
Inbound: 18:55 on Sunday 9th April
(Flight times about 1hr each way)

This is at a massive cost of £90.36 for two, or £45 each! (For those slow at the maths!)

Flights from Flybe.com

Not decided on any accommodation yet, but may look for a Travel Inn or someting similar, and aim for a weekend of Cork proportions.

If noone else wants to come then we will have a nice romantic weekend away. Don't know how busy the flights will be, and obviously if people wanted to go at different times that would be cool.

Anyhoo, thats my three penneth. Have a nice day!

Links

Click the links button on the left to see a list of links. You might find something you like.

Any new links let me know and I'll add them.

Anton's opinion

Anyway regarding New Year 2006/07 – I’m probably only about 10% likely to attend. I’ll give you the places that I’ve stayed in over the past couple of years
2001/02 – Crask Inn, about 10miles north of Lairg
2002/03 – Rua Reidh lighthouse on the west coast, about 5 miles NW Gairloch
2003/04 – Glen Cannich
2004/05 – hostel in Knoydart (on the mainland inaccessable by road – only accessed by passenger ferry which runs on Wed, Fri and Sun from Mallaig.)
2005/06 – Roshven, 4miles S of Lochailort.

All of the places have been extremely remote, though we did go to a pub after New Year in Crask Inn and Knoydart. Consider the following:

I’ve never booked the cottage myself, but it’s always been booked for a week and some people have stayed on for the whole week.

We’ve always booked fairly early – probably always before summer, sometimes as early as Feb of that year.
What is the purpose of the visit? If it’s to get away from it all then fine, but if you intend to spend New Years eve or any evening, in a pub, think very carefully where you want to go. Also what do you want to do during the day? Number of Shops usually = 0. If you don’t like walking/outdoors it’s not going to be fun. You’ll probably need to go to one of the bigger centers.

What clothes do you intend to take – sometimes with log fires, the chimney doesn’t work very well and rooms can get smoky. Thick pajamas are usually essential. The bedrooms in Crask Inn permanently hovered around 6 degrees! Hat gloves, headtorch, boots, gore-tex jacket, fleece essential.
We’ve always cooked for ourselves (nearest takeaway usually 15+ miles away) and usually takes turns to cook for the night.

Roads in 2001/02 and 2003/04 were bad with a lot of snow and ice around. In 2001/02 there was the bizarre sight of seeing a snow-plough trapped in the snow awaiting rescue!! In Edinburgh/Glasgow and on the west coast there wasn’t a flake of snow. But the west is 3 times wetter than the east.

Don’t want to sound patronizing or trying to dampen any enthusiasm, but a cottage in Scotland will be nothing like Cork. My own opinion would be that you try to head for one of the centers (Aviemore, Fort William, Perth etc etc) rather then somewhere very isolated. It will be less physically beautiful but much more to do during the day and at night and you won’t be surrounded by each other all day every day!

Injury News

Well the latest Bramhall Rangers physio report is in, and its not looking good.

Belly, who you will remember sat out of a number of games before Christmas with a knee injury, aggrivated it again making one of a number of great saves. He went to the doctors today to get it checked out, who referred him to A&E for an x-ray. Thankfully A&E decided it wasn't serious enough to warrant an x-ray, but have decided he has ligament damage and he needs to rest it.
So its likely we won't be seeing Belly pulling on a Rangers shirt for a while again, in fact apparently he has been told to keep away from stressing it too much, even so much as driving long distances has been banned!

Piggy who missed the game with a mysterious knee injury himself, also seems to have the beginnings of the flu. Lets hope he's recovered for next week!

As for myself, well I am in a bit of pain today around my lower calf/top of my ankle on my left leg. I was feeling it a bit before the game yesterday, but after streching it off it was ok. However as the game progressed strething for a couple of balls seem to have done damage so we will have to see how that goes. I have a feeling it might be related to the problem i had before Xmas, so if it doesn't clear up significantly over the weekend I will take a trip to the doctors myself...

Bramhall Rangers 8 White Russians 14

Russians made to work, like peasants in the gulags!

Rangers put in one of their best performances to date, with a hard fought battle against 3rd placed White Russians. The game was close for the most part, stamina and fitness being the deciding factor.

The Rangers lined up minus top scorer Piggy, who had damaged his knee in extensive training. Hedderz could replace him for the early kick-off to bolster the attack. The team included Belly, Shiz, Nev, Pie, Mini and Hedderz. Mr T was unavailable so it was 6 players for the first game of 2006. Charlotte and long term absentee Rascle were there to support in the cold temperatures!

Rangers started very brightly, and managed to establish a god two goal lead. The two attacking players Mini and Hedderz grabbing a goal a piece. Both were from some very decent build up play. The Russians were stunned by this and it took a little while for them to find their flow. They did strike back quite quickly though, and managed to peg the score back to 2-2 with some quick football and good finishing. Shiz and Nev were sterling in defence, frustrating the attackers with close marking and strong tackles. Pie was up and down and created several opportunities, one Mini fluffed, after some great skill left him free on the edge of the box.

Belly was also catlike in goals, and saved a powerful shot with his forehead, leaving him dazed for a brief period. Mini was chopped down on a few occasions after some got skill had eluded the defenders. A personal highlight for Mini was his second goal. Receiving a bowl out from Belly, with his back to goal and the man tight behind him, Mini deftly flicked the ball with his right boot and turned on a six pence to rifle it home with the left from just inside the opponents half. Reminiscent of Thierry Henry it was greeted with rapturous applause from the side lines.

At half time the Rangers were training by just the one goal. Hedderz had grabbed a second too, a deflected shot nestling in the bottom corner. Mini had wrapped up his hat-trick with a curling effort which moved in the air and eluded the keeper.

The second half saw Rangers continue their hard work, battling for every ball and always biting away at the ankles of the flighty attackers. The more frustrated the Russians became the wilder their shooting was, and it started coming in from distances which were easier for Belly and the defence to cope with. They started to take their frustrations out on the referee (who I thought had a good game) and one another. Belly took a push too as Shiz had once again foiled an attack with strong arm tactics.

Rangers continued with some excellent attacking play too, passing and moving to create space and opportunity. Mini scored his 4th of the game, passing to Shiz who then got his angles right in playing an astute pass off the boards right into Mini’s pass and he could not fail to score. Hedderz got 2 more to equal Mini’s tally for the game, the pick being a goal straight from kick off, turning sharply and catching the keeper unawares with a powerful, swerving drive.

Pie, who had run willingly all game, squandered his biggest chance for glory, just not growing enough to divert a pass from Mini. Memories of Gazza at Euro ‘96 came to mind!

However, the Russians quality did prove too much in the end, and as the game drew to its conclusion there superior fitness let them pull away from the Rangers. Perhaps in the end the score line flattered the Russians who knew they had been in a game. Although another defeat, and still rooted to the bottom of the table with no points, Rangers are starting to enjoy their football a bit more, and with that comes confidence.

Final Score: Bramhall Rangers 8 White Russians 14
Goals: Mini (4), Hedderz (4)

New Year 2006/2007!

As we discussed, it will be worth looking into 2006/2007 New Year. A Scottish cottage was mentioned so I have had an initial look at a few websites that will be of use.

It seems that they book either 2, 3 or 7 nights for the most part, but a short stay (2 or 3 nights) would have to start on a Saturday which for the New Year would be 30/12/06, and would be a 3 nighter till the 2nd, or a 2 nighter coming home on NY day.

Cottages & Castles - Each property in this section offers quality self catering accommodation in scenic locations throughout Scotland for up to 8 people or thereabouts.

Scottish Country Cottages - The finest selection of self-catering holiday cottages in Scotland. Each cottage is carefully chosen, both for its quality and location, to offer you a perfectly relaxing Scottish holiday. (* Short breaks within the peak period 22/12/2006 to 05/01/2007 can only be booked within 28 days of the holiday start date)

Cottages4You - Choose from a cosy thatched cottage deep in the countryside or a fishermans cottage by the sea… with thousands to choose from you are sure to find your ideal property.

This latter one seems quite a good site, but for bookings for any will involve riniging up and finding out as they have special rates and circumstances etc.

An example:
Closeburn, nr. Thornhill, Sleeps: 11 Bedrooms: 5 - for 3 nights in and around new year it is £221.50 but no prices showing for New Year breaks and the message * Short breaks between 21/12/2006 and 3/01/2007 can only be booked within 28 days of the holiday start date.

But its something to keep an eye on anyway. Maybe try and call a few and get a provisional booking or let them know we are interested.

Right, thats it for now but have a look if you want to and we can get some ideas together.