Bramhall Rangers 6 Monkhouse Gladbach 11
"I never make predictions and I never will." - Paul Gascoigne
The last few months have been pretty torrid for the Rangers, unable to buy a win, or even a point. This weeks opponents were Monkhouse Gladbach who had beaten Rangers comfortably earlier in the season. With a stronger team this time round Rangers thought they would give them a game. This proved to be the case.
The team was the same as the previous two weeks save for one change. Shiz was unavailable, and into the breach for his first ever Rangers game was Anton, a lean, mean fighting machine. He became the 17th player to turn out for the Rangers, and his debut had been 5 seasons in the making. Mr T in goal, Pie, Rascle, Nev, Piggy and Mini were present to guide Anton through the game.
The first half of this game was a very even affair, Monkhouse Gladbach perhaps surprised that Rangers were putting up a fight rather than rolling over and dying. Chances were plentiful for both sides, and Mini was amongst the goals straight away, pegging back Monkhouse on a number of occasions.
Rascle was playing the creative role in supplying several decent passes into feet, for both Mini and Piggy upfront. Anton surprisingly was not afraid to bomb forward to provide another option and he could have had a hat trick. His best effort was after a one-two with Mini when he saw a sweetly struck effort cannon off the underside of the bar.
The score at half time was 5-5. Rangers took the lead just before the break, Mini finishing with his left foot after a lofted pass from Pie. This was Mini’s 5th of the game too, as for the 3rd game this season Mini was the only scorer for the Rangers. At least two of Mini’s other goals this half involved good interplay from Rascle who, like Anton, was gaining in confidence. A prayer said by absent Ranger Hedderz at the Temple of Nike in Athens, seemed to be working for Rascle, if not for the Rangers as a team.
Mr T had one of his best games in goals or the Rangers and was helped out greatly in defence by Nev and Pie, the latter taking a few knocks for the cause. The most blatantly poor aerial challenge left him flat out on the deck, and has resulted in a bit of a shiner the morning after. It was reminiscent of Terry Butcher for England, minus the blood, bandage and drama…actually it was nothing like Terry Butcher for England!
Despite no one else troubling the scorers, all the Rangers seemed to pose more of a threat in attack. Nev also had more shots this game than those that had come before. Tending to favour the long distance efforts, a few bounced awkwardly in front of the keeper. With Mr T his communication was vitally important, organising the defence, and always being available for a pass.
The second half didn’t start with the usual collapse, whether this was down to a changed routine or not is anyone’s guess. Despite not falling apart the game did slowly slip away from the Rangers, as a goal here and there extended the lead for Monkhouse until they were relatively comfortable. Only one goal was registered for Mini/BRFC in the second half, a jabbed finish after Rascle’s persistence had bundled the ball through to him.
Gladbach are a reasonable team, but the showboating and “Olay!” that accompanied some of their play was not appreciated by the Rangers, considering the closeness of the game. It will certainly be remembered for the next time they meet, and will lead to a few juicy tackles.
A defeat again, but this game did not come with the stigma of a terrible team effort. Everyone played close to his ability, Mini enjoying his most fruitful game since an 18-3 victory against Cheadle Utd in the Winter 2005 season, when he bagged seven. Piggy failed to register in what was a spacious game for the strikers, and struggled to get his shots away. The 3rd game he has done so this season. Anton can be proud of his performance, and hopefully won’t have to wait another couple of years until his next outing.
Final score: Bramhall Rangers 6 Monkhouse Gladbach 11
Scorers: Mini (6)
Nev goal watch – 22
Pie goal watch – 12
Piggy needs velcro - 3
The last few months have been pretty torrid for the Rangers, unable to buy a win, or even a point. This weeks opponents were Monkhouse Gladbach who had beaten Rangers comfortably earlier in the season. With a stronger team this time round Rangers thought they would give them a game. This proved to be the case.
The team was the same as the previous two weeks save for one change. Shiz was unavailable, and into the breach for his first ever Rangers game was Anton, a lean, mean fighting machine. He became the 17th player to turn out for the Rangers, and his debut had been 5 seasons in the making. Mr T in goal, Pie, Rascle, Nev, Piggy and Mini were present to guide Anton through the game.
The first half of this game was a very even affair, Monkhouse Gladbach perhaps surprised that Rangers were putting up a fight rather than rolling over and dying. Chances were plentiful for both sides, and Mini was amongst the goals straight away, pegging back Monkhouse on a number of occasions.
Rascle was playing the creative role in supplying several decent passes into feet, for both Mini and Piggy upfront. Anton surprisingly was not afraid to bomb forward to provide another option and he could have had a hat trick. His best effort was after a one-two with Mini when he saw a sweetly struck effort cannon off the underside of the bar.
The score at half time was 5-5. Rangers took the lead just before the break, Mini finishing with his left foot after a lofted pass from Pie. This was Mini’s 5th of the game too, as for the 3rd game this season Mini was the only scorer for the Rangers. At least two of Mini’s other goals this half involved good interplay from Rascle who, like Anton, was gaining in confidence. A prayer said by absent Ranger Hedderz at the Temple of Nike in Athens, seemed to be working for Rascle, if not for the Rangers as a team.
Mr T had one of his best games in goals or the Rangers and was helped out greatly in defence by Nev and Pie, the latter taking a few knocks for the cause. The most blatantly poor aerial challenge left him flat out on the deck, and has resulted in a bit of a shiner the morning after. It was reminiscent of Terry Butcher for England, minus the blood, bandage and drama…actually it was nothing like Terry Butcher for England!
Despite no one else troubling the scorers, all the Rangers seemed to pose more of a threat in attack. Nev also had more shots this game than those that had come before. Tending to favour the long distance efforts, a few bounced awkwardly in front of the keeper. With Mr T his communication was vitally important, organising the defence, and always being available for a pass.
The second half didn’t start with the usual collapse, whether this was down to a changed routine or not is anyone’s guess. Despite not falling apart the game did slowly slip away from the Rangers, as a goal here and there extended the lead for Monkhouse until they were relatively comfortable. Only one goal was registered for Mini/BRFC in the second half, a jabbed finish after Rascle’s persistence had bundled the ball through to him.
Gladbach are a reasonable team, but the showboating and “Olay!” that accompanied some of their play was not appreciated by the Rangers, considering the closeness of the game. It will certainly be remembered for the next time they meet, and will lead to a few juicy tackles.
A defeat again, but this game did not come with the stigma of a terrible team effort. Everyone played close to his ability, Mini enjoying his most fruitful game since an 18-3 victory against Cheadle Utd in the Winter 2005 season, when he bagged seven. Piggy failed to register in what was a spacious game for the strikers, and struggled to get his shots away. The 3rd game he has done so this season. Anton can be proud of his performance, and hopefully won’t have to wait another couple of years until his next outing.
Final score: Bramhall Rangers 6 Monkhouse Gladbach 11
Scorers: Mini (6)
Nev goal watch – 22
Pie goal watch – 12
Piggy needs velcro - 3
posted by Mini at 12:01 am
1 Comments:
Congratulations lads, sounds like a corner has been turned by some on the performance. I think a special mention has to go to Anton, who by all reports had a great first game.
One disappointment really has to be Piggy's shoes laces coming undone again. Piggy - I really don't know what to say, nothing seems to work in getting the simplest of messages into your head.
Anyway, sounds like a lot of positives to take from this, and I'm eager for next weeks match now... I sence a win :)
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