Bramhall Rangers 3 The Griswalds 15
Lightening does strike twice.
A sense of deja vu struck the Rangers this week, despite concerted efforts to put the last week’s debacle to bed. A slightly patchwork team did not gel in a game that will want to be forgotten for many reasons.
Shiz decided to have a stint in goal in the first half, hoping to use his fitness and running in the second to prevent a second half collapse. The plan was for Mr T to don the gloves in the second, but it didn’t pan out like that. Pie, Rascle, Mini, Nev and BT boys Shepwad and Abrar joined the team. Abrar was hoping to repeat the form shown in his last Rangers game when he notched five goals. Piggy was sitting this game out with a back strain and to rest himself after a disappointing personal performance the previous match. The Griswalds were the opponents and after a few seasons of mediocrity were pushing for promotion at the top of the league.
Rangers never really got going unfortunately throughout the whole game. A lack of quality on the ball was their undoing with inability to control, pass and shoot (the simple things) letting them down. The defence, usually so solid, struggled again due to lack of communication and awareness. There was little or no shape to the team who were often huddled in one area whilst Griswalds attackers stood free. It was schoolboy stuff.
The Griswalds took a healthy lead into the half time break, (IIRC) going in with an 8-3 lead. Shiz was exposed on a number of occasions but not being a regular keeper looked uncomfortable. A highlight of the first period did prove to be a save by the makeshift stopper. A shot deceived Shiz deflecting its way through. A slight touch sent it spinning slowly toward the bottom corner. Shiz turned, swinging a long leg to sweep the ball clear. Momentum carried Shiz toward his own goal, the ball trapped between ground, foot and post. Determined no to “let that bugger go in” Shiz found himself sitting on the ball, legs akimbo straddling the post. A more bizarre save you will not see!
The light hearted moments only detract slightly from what was a poor first half display. Mini grabbed the three goals, one after a good setup from Abrar. His third was a smart turn and a clinical finish of angle of bar and post to give the score some respectability. Stu had an opportunity and fired wide, as did Abrar. Rascle came closest to adding to the tally with a curling shot that hit the inside of the post and flew across the face of the goal.
Pie took a few knocks and bruises and did his best to hold up the ball with some powerful forward play but the support was often slow in arriving and the quality just wasn’t there. Nev was again doing a determined job in defence, and Mr T in his first game for a while was getting back into the grove. A problem for the Rangers was that Abrar was struggling to keep his footing and balance with no astros. He was slipping all over the show, even when just running. He showed some good touches but did not have the confidence that was shown last time he played. Ultimately he was to replace Shiz in the nets at half time, his play was suffering that much.
For not the first time the Rangers failed to score in the second period. Chances were limited to a few long range efforts and weak shots. Mr T was denied by double save from their keeper, but other than that he was rarely troubled. Abrar made some good saves but The Griswalds had more quality. They passed, controlled, moved and shot with more accuracy and quality. Rangers were awarded a penalty after Shiz pressured a defender into entering the area. Wanting to take it himself, Shiz aimed to add to his tally for the season. As with three or so penalties that had gone before, Shiz’s penalty was struck well enough but sadly lacked accuracy and was wide of the target.
Shiz and Abrar swapped again for the last three minutes but all in all it was a shoddy performance by mos,t if not all concerned.
The fact that the majority of the Rangers are unable to score a goal puts much more pressure on those who can. Even on a good defensive day Rangers would still need to score 6-10 goals to win a game, and with only two players who score regularly it is never going to happen. Even newcomers to the team can see the obvious failings in the team. No communication, a lack of shape, lack of movement, a lack of awareness and ultimately a lack of quality.
Final Score: Bramhall Rangers 3 The Griswalds 15
Goals: Mini (3)
Nev goal watch: 19
Pie goal watch: 9
Rascle goal watch: 6
Mr T goal watch: 4
(based on games played outfield)
A sense of deja vu struck the Rangers this week, despite concerted efforts to put the last week’s debacle to bed. A slightly patchwork team did not gel in a game that will want to be forgotten for many reasons.
Shiz decided to have a stint in goal in the first half, hoping to use his fitness and running in the second to prevent a second half collapse. The plan was for Mr T to don the gloves in the second, but it didn’t pan out like that. Pie, Rascle, Mini, Nev and BT boys Shepwad and Abrar joined the team. Abrar was hoping to repeat the form shown in his last Rangers game when he notched five goals. Piggy was sitting this game out with a back strain and to rest himself after a disappointing personal performance the previous match. The Griswalds were the opponents and after a few seasons of mediocrity were pushing for promotion at the top of the league.
Rangers never really got going unfortunately throughout the whole game. A lack of quality on the ball was their undoing with inability to control, pass and shoot (the simple things) letting them down. The defence, usually so solid, struggled again due to lack of communication and awareness. There was little or no shape to the team who were often huddled in one area whilst Griswalds attackers stood free. It was schoolboy stuff.
The Griswalds took a healthy lead into the half time break, (IIRC) going in with an 8-3 lead. Shiz was exposed on a number of occasions but not being a regular keeper looked uncomfortable. A highlight of the first period did prove to be a save by the makeshift stopper. A shot deceived Shiz deflecting its way through. A slight touch sent it spinning slowly toward the bottom corner. Shiz turned, swinging a long leg to sweep the ball clear. Momentum carried Shiz toward his own goal, the ball trapped between ground, foot and post. Determined no to “let that bugger go in” Shiz found himself sitting on the ball, legs akimbo straddling the post. A more bizarre save you will not see!
The light hearted moments only detract slightly from what was a poor first half display. Mini grabbed the three goals, one after a good setup from Abrar. His third was a smart turn and a clinical finish of angle of bar and post to give the score some respectability. Stu had an opportunity and fired wide, as did Abrar. Rascle came closest to adding to the tally with a curling shot that hit the inside of the post and flew across the face of the goal.
Pie took a few knocks and bruises and did his best to hold up the ball with some powerful forward play but the support was often slow in arriving and the quality just wasn’t there. Nev was again doing a determined job in defence, and Mr T in his first game for a while was getting back into the grove. A problem for the Rangers was that Abrar was struggling to keep his footing and balance with no astros. He was slipping all over the show, even when just running. He showed some good touches but did not have the confidence that was shown last time he played. Ultimately he was to replace Shiz in the nets at half time, his play was suffering that much.
For not the first time the Rangers failed to score in the second period. Chances were limited to a few long range efforts and weak shots. Mr T was denied by double save from their keeper, but other than that he was rarely troubled. Abrar made some good saves but The Griswalds had more quality. They passed, controlled, moved and shot with more accuracy and quality. Rangers were awarded a penalty after Shiz pressured a defender into entering the area. Wanting to take it himself, Shiz aimed to add to his tally for the season. As with three or so penalties that had gone before, Shiz’s penalty was struck well enough but sadly lacked accuracy and was wide of the target.
Shiz and Abrar swapped again for the last three minutes but all in all it was a shoddy performance by mos,t if not all concerned.
The fact that the majority of the Rangers are unable to score a goal puts much more pressure on those who can. Even on a good defensive day Rangers would still need to score 6-10 goals to win a game, and with only two players who score regularly it is never going to happen. Even newcomers to the team can see the obvious failings in the team. No communication, a lack of shape, lack of movement, a lack of awareness and ultimately a lack of quality.
Final Score: Bramhall Rangers 3 The Griswalds 15
Goals: Mini (3)
Nev goal watch: 19
Pie goal watch: 9
Rascle goal watch: 6
Mr T goal watch: 4
(based on games played outfield)
posted by Mini at 10:11 am
3 Comments:
My knee isn't too good today - when I took that ball while making a block it proved a bit painful.
Everytime I was twisting and spinning on it it was causing me great pain. I'm limping a bit today and have a pretty big bruise down the inside of my knee. Which is disappointing because on a few occasions I felt I was doing alright in attack.
Major problems for me were the usual. Lack of communication, lack of movement, too much standing off...
You can't put any blame to the keepers - they did their best in difficult circumstances.
Oh dear...
We've said it before and we'll no doubt say it again! we're not a great team! we're good on occasion! But not great.
Too many times on thursday we had all 4 rangers stood round their own box with the griswalds shooting and passing for fun. Yet no-one on the pitch noticed and tried to make a difference?! We stood off them allowing them much needed time and space on the ball. Whereas we were never given long on the ball before we were forced to pass. Yes a lot of their guys have a lot of football skills that we can never hope to attain! After all, we only play football for 50 minutes a week. Its evident i feel that jogging has raised everyones fitness. But its important to note that this is only one side of the game. We NEED badly to have a training session. Perhaps on a monday before/instead of the pub. At bramhall Rec? It will be easier in summer, the field is free and we can knock around 630-730 go home then go to pub. We could all do with a practice in nets. I'm terrified of going in. Shiz went in and tried his best. But like many of us he has no skill between the posts, and we naturally shy away from a stinging ball!
Its a shame in a way. We do try hard. But we're getting undone by 1-2's that we STILL haven't grasped. We're not staying close to our players. And most people were guilty of that on thurs. Lack of communication too! I dont mean stuff like "good pass mate". i mean like, "I've got blue, you get white" and "pass to penalty area i'm open!". Because there was a distinct lack of this. I will try and get my camera charged up for next thursday if someone fancies taping the match. I'm home next weekend so will have some fun editting and rascle-opta-indexing it. I think we need it!
But for now lets enjoy the fact we play footy and at times its the only time we see each other! And if we all club together then we can get abrar some boots that are non slip!!
};o)
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