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)
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)
posted by Mini at 10:08 am
5 Comments:
This was a really good game, and for me the most important aspect, as Mini pointed out, the balance of the team was great. Sadly, real life means we frequently don't have a choice but to go with an unbalanced team, but this time things went our way, and it worked well, and people were good with the subs, keeping it fresh, and making subs at the appropriate time.
Only slight citicism I could find, was Piggy needing to tie his shoe laces during the game. But even here he waited till a break in play.
Superb result, shocking match report headline!
Well done, nice to get some points again and against such a side. Congrats to Pie who has further ruined my goalkeeper stats by only letting 4 in! :)
I was magnificent Belly, you would have been proud!!
Well it was either that or:
"Rangers give them a Boot in the Pussy!" or something along that theme. I'll never make it as headline editor for The Sun anyway!!
Whats the news on the knee Belly?
Proud of the lot of you. We certainly kneed to talk to Belch tonight.
Post a Comment
<< Home