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)
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)
posted by Mini at 10:46 am
3 Comments:
I agree, it was an excellent game all round.
Thought Belly, especially in the first half, was back to his best in goals again. Some absolutely brilliant saves, including one with his face that i don't think he knew much about before or after!
As for my own performance, well i had a slight knock which while not so bad in the first half, was noticable in the second when i couldn't accelerate at all, hence why i tried to stick up front more and hold the ball up. Hopefully it will be ok for next week!
Good to see Justin back and getting a few goals - you need to play more often mate!!
Special mention to Nev and Shiz who defended like demons as usual too, well played lads...
Who the hell is darren fletcher?1 Bar a united player!
Another good write up mini. Shame about the result, but they were just a fitter team, and those long shots in the second half that scored troubled belly.
Sad to see the teams picking up more injuries tho! How come no other team gets screwed!
I think its Lifey...
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