Bramhall Rangers 7 Omatha 6
"If you can't stand the heat in the dressing-room, get out of the kitchen" - Terry Venables
The last few weeks has seen a steadily improving Rangers team find rediscover their confidence and belief that they can pick up points. This Thursday saw them pitted against new boys Omatha, who become the third team to fill the void in the league. They had enjoyed a few of victories in previous games against Monkhouse Gladbach, Cheadle Utd and PIB, but were defeated against The Griswalds. It would be a tough game as they looked like decent players and had a bit of strength sprinkled in.
Rangers lined up with the same team they had used for the majority of this season, the only change was Shiz returning to the side in place of Anton who had enjoyed his first ever game the week before. There had been a heavy downpour in the hour before the game making the conditions difficult, but the Rangers coped well, and played an excellent game.
Mini again proved to be the pivotal attacking player for BRFC, taking any chances that came his way comfortably. Currently in a rich vein of scoring form everything seemed to go his way. He opened the scoring, picking up a loose ball after a pass off the boards from Shiz and fired low under the keeper. His second was more fortunate; an attempted clearance cannoned off his shin into the bottom corner, again, coming after good work from Shiz.
Omatha were not without their own efforts on goal and proved more than capable in attack. Often with patient build up and strong running they kept level with the Rangers for the half, a couple of powerful Hedderz-esque strikes from their big guy were impressive. Like Rangers have often been, they were caught out at the back when committing too many men forwards. A quick throw from Mr T fed Mini who finished coolly in a one on one.
All of the Rangers were finding space in the opposition half and could have had a couple of goals each. Piggy often found himself in shooting positions but delayed too long or took the wrong option. Shiz, full of running was creating many opportunities and was unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions. Pie was still looking for his first of the season, but was having more joy than usual, coping well in the conditions. Rascle and Nev were the key defensive lynchpins, allowing Shiz to roam. Nev was unlucky not to score as he dragged an effort wide of the post. Rascle mishit after a pass was squared across the box, but it was great to see everyone getting in an around the onion bag.
Half time was looming and it was 5-4. Mini had picked up the goals for the Rangers, but in truth it was a great team effort that had got them into that position. Hoping to go in level which would have been a fair reflection of the half, they were unlucky to go in 5-4 down.
A deficit it was at half time, but confidence was still high as there was a lot of room on the pitch and the Omatha defence did tend to stand off their men, in comparison to the Rangers who for the most part were tight and getting quick tackles in and preventing easy throw outs.
The second half was underway, and the Rangers started well (yes! well…) and limited Omatha to long range efforts. Just as Rangers were looking to get back in it there was a howler to top all howlers, from goalkeeper Mr T. After breaking up an attack Shiz played a soft pass back to Mr T in the area. The ball was rolling to Mr T and wasn’t even on target. What comes next is anyone’s guess, as the Rangers turned away to get positions. Glancing back Mr T could be seen lying outstretched attempting to claw the ball back without luck. Somehow he had managed to scoop the ball round the post and dump it in his own goal! It seemed harder to do that, than pick it up! I imagine the wet weather had something to do with it! It will go down as a Mr T OG. (Maybe Mr T can shed some light in the comments box!)
Understandably heads dropped for a short spell, until Rangers sensed than Omatha were not punishing them as other teams had. With the half moving on, Rangers were thrown a lifeline. Shiz was released down the right hand wing and with good control and vision picked out Mini, unmarked on the edge of the box, who scored his 26th goal of the season.
With maybe 10 minutes to go the game was evenly poised. Omatha had just the one goal lead and seemed too eager to push on. They left lots of gaps at the back which could be exploited by the Rangers. Chances came and went. Pie, who had not scored for over 10 games, hit the woodwork with only the keeper to beat on two occassions, and Shiz had an effort saved by the keeper. Mini and Pie were falling over each other to score but in the end neither did! It seemed that the game was slipping away.
Then came a moment of cool, calm finishing. From a man who had not scored since a goal against White Russians on the 17th November 2005, Pie’s relief was evident after he smashed the ball home to level things up. A burden was lifted from his shoulders! Praise be!!
It looked like a point a piece would be the final outcome. However with only 4 minutes on the clock, Piggy who had worked hard without reward played a well weighted pass down the left wing. Shiz, still running, outpaced the defender and cut inside and opting for power he struck the ball sweetly into the top corner for his 4th of the season and 18th in total for the Rangers. Could the unlikely happen and the Rangers snatch victory from the jaws of defeat?
With the clock ticking it was like the Alamo for the Rangers, throwing themselves into tackles and blocks. Mr T was making up for the earlier error with some splendid saves, showing great determination in front of his admirers on the touchline. This effort was typified by a last ditch tackle by Mini who sprinted the length of the pitch to prevent a last minute equaliser!
The final whistle signalled the end of the game and Rangers 3rd win of the season (of those one was a default win). It was the first victory Rascle had been part of for 16 games since an 11-3 win over Cheadle Utd back in August 2005. 17th time a charm!
Great desire, fitness, finishing and communication were the key to this win, and those things need to be taken into next weeks game against the above mentioned Cheadle Utd.
Final score: Bramhall Rangers 7 Omatha 6
Goals: Mini (5), Pie (1) Shiz (1)
Nev goal watch - 23
The last few weeks has seen a steadily improving Rangers team find rediscover their confidence and belief that they can pick up points. This Thursday saw them pitted against new boys Omatha, who become the third team to fill the void in the league. They had enjoyed a few of victories in previous games against Monkhouse Gladbach, Cheadle Utd and PIB, but were defeated against The Griswalds. It would be a tough game as they looked like decent players and had a bit of strength sprinkled in.
Rangers lined up with the same team they had used for the majority of this season, the only change was Shiz returning to the side in place of Anton who had enjoyed his first ever game the week before. There had been a heavy downpour in the hour before the game making the conditions difficult, but the Rangers coped well, and played an excellent game.
Mini again proved to be the pivotal attacking player for BRFC, taking any chances that came his way comfortably. Currently in a rich vein of scoring form everything seemed to go his way. He opened the scoring, picking up a loose ball after a pass off the boards from Shiz and fired low under the keeper. His second was more fortunate; an attempted clearance cannoned off his shin into the bottom corner, again, coming after good work from Shiz.
Omatha were not without their own efforts on goal and proved more than capable in attack. Often with patient build up and strong running they kept level with the Rangers for the half, a couple of powerful Hedderz-esque strikes from their big guy were impressive. Like Rangers have often been, they were caught out at the back when committing too many men forwards. A quick throw from Mr T fed Mini who finished coolly in a one on one.
All of the Rangers were finding space in the opposition half and could have had a couple of goals each. Piggy often found himself in shooting positions but delayed too long or took the wrong option. Shiz, full of running was creating many opportunities and was unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions. Pie was still looking for his first of the season, but was having more joy than usual, coping well in the conditions. Rascle and Nev were the key defensive lynchpins, allowing Shiz to roam. Nev was unlucky not to score as he dragged an effort wide of the post. Rascle mishit after a pass was squared across the box, but it was great to see everyone getting in an around the onion bag.
Half time was looming and it was 5-4. Mini had picked up the goals for the Rangers, but in truth it was a great team effort that had got them into that position. Hoping to go in level which would have been a fair reflection of the half, they were unlucky to go in 5-4 down.
A deficit it was at half time, but confidence was still high as there was a lot of room on the pitch and the Omatha defence did tend to stand off their men, in comparison to the Rangers who for the most part were tight and getting quick tackles in and preventing easy throw outs.
The second half was underway, and the Rangers started well (yes! well…) and limited Omatha to long range efforts. Just as Rangers were looking to get back in it there was a howler to top all howlers, from goalkeeper Mr T. After breaking up an attack Shiz played a soft pass back to Mr T in the area. The ball was rolling to Mr T and wasn’t even on target. What comes next is anyone’s guess, as the Rangers turned away to get positions. Glancing back Mr T could be seen lying outstretched attempting to claw the ball back without luck. Somehow he had managed to scoop the ball round the post and dump it in his own goal! It seemed harder to do that, than pick it up! I imagine the wet weather had something to do with it! It will go down as a Mr T OG. (Maybe Mr T can shed some light in the comments box!)
Understandably heads dropped for a short spell, until Rangers sensed than Omatha were not punishing them as other teams had. With the half moving on, Rangers were thrown a lifeline. Shiz was released down the right hand wing and with good control and vision picked out Mini, unmarked on the edge of the box, who scored his 26th goal of the season.
With maybe 10 minutes to go the game was evenly poised. Omatha had just the one goal lead and seemed too eager to push on. They left lots of gaps at the back which could be exploited by the Rangers. Chances came and went. Pie, who had not scored for over 10 games, hit the woodwork with only the keeper to beat on two occassions, and Shiz had an effort saved by the keeper. Mini and Pie were falling over each other to score but in the end neither did! It seemed that the game was slipping away.
Then came a moment of cool, calm finishing. From a man who had not scored since a goal against White Russians on the 17th November 2005, Pie’s relief was evident after he smashed the ball home to level things up. A burden was lifted from his shoulders! Praise be!!
It looked like a point a piece would be the final outcome. However with only 4 minutes on the clock, Piggy who had worked hard without reward played a well weighted pass down the left wing. Shiz, still running, outpaced the defender and cut inside and opting for power he struck the ball sweetly into the top corner for his 4th of the season and 18th in total for the Rangers. Could the unlikely happen and the Rangers snatch victory from the jaws of defeat?
With the clock ticking it was like the Alamo for the Rangers, throwing themselves into tackles and blocks. Mr T was making up for the earlier error with some splendid saves, showing great determination in front of his admirers on the touchline. This effort was typified by a last ditch tackle by Mini who sprinted the length of the pitch to prevent a last minute equaliser!
The final whistle signalled the end of the game and Rangers 3rd win of the season (of those one was a default win). It was the first victory Rascle had been part of for 16 games since an 11-3 win over Cheadle Utd back in August 2005. 17th time a charm!
Great desire, fitness, finishing and communication were the key to this win, and those things need to be taken into next weeks game against the above mentioned Cheadle Utd.
Final score: Bramhall Rangers 7 Omatha 6
Goals: Mini (5), Pie (1) Shiz (1)
Nev goal watch - 23
posted by Mini at 10:52 am
5 Comments:
Oh yeah Baby! What a match, what a team performance.
Lots of positives to take, but perhaps the most significant is that for this match (and by the sounds of it, last one too), the goals have come from team build up play, rather then expecting Mini to do like Houdini and squeeze one from no where, with little support. Long may it continue.
Even with the moment of madness, I thought Mark had the goalkeeping performance of the season to date.
I think Mr T has been getting better and better in nets to be honest. He is getting much more confident and comfortable with his throw outs, his shouting and organising from the back is good...maybe Belly will find it hard to displace him when he finally returns from injury (any word yet Belly?).
Anyway apart from Mark my credit goes to Nev, who again played really well (despite his concerns afterwards that he didn't!). The goal will come!!
For my own part I was so relieved to score - hopefully I can go into the next few games with renewed confidence and get some more. A few chances before I scored I should have put away but a lack of confidence meant i snatched or didn't commit myself to them enough...
I had two major concerns about last night - firstly I felt Mini was at times, especially the first half of the second half, being a little too greedy or trying to occasional Hollywood pass instead of the simple one. Secondly Piggy - when you get the ball, ATTACK! You have power and pace and if your quick you can be past a man and through on goal instead of turning back and playing either yourself or your team-mates into trouble.
But lets take nothing away from the win, I thought on the whole everyone played really well and we were unlucky - poor finishing the only problem - to not score more...
Yes, there were two moments in the second half when I did try something that didn't come off. But you don't know until you give it a go. And I did apologise there and then for the mistakes.
:)
And to be fair, when you have scored twice as many as the rest of the team put together and then some, sometimes being a little greedy is understandable!
And as for "a major concern"!!Pah! One game in several (and I'm not even convinced I was that greedy!! "Major concerns" are things like 2 goals in 2 seasons from regular outfield players, and similar stats!!!
:)
Well we all know i never look at the positives. i can leave that to you lot. We did play better but it really helped that we were playing a mirror team at times. Thankfully their shooting wasn't always great and mark did some good saves. But we were getting overturned by the one-twos, people were still standing miles off their men. At times we were still being out manned in defence and it was little mistakes like this that lead to probably 4 of their goals.
In attack players being greedy for the ball to shoot at goal is fine. Thats how strikers score. But there were so many times that we were tackling ourselves. 2 players going for the ball with no-one calling for it. And no-one succeeded in the resulting shot. Shooting was also AWFUL for us. we needed and indeed got the 3 goals in the second half. But my god how many chances did we have. We need to start putting these away. Granted me and Nev weren't shooting great. I forced a few saves. Nev was a lil off target. But ce la vie. Pie mini and shiz all missed sitters at times. Pie somehow stirking his own left foot with his shot?!
Movement was better, piggy showed good awareness although this seemed to be lost on the anti-piggy brigade last night. Yes he did some STUPID stuff. Dancing like a fairy, not marking AGAIN... But he was looking for passes at times. It was those glimpses of a better player that give me hope that we can get him scoring again.
I think we should learn some good lessons from this. I certainly learnt about using my weight and staying sideways onto the player so i dont get short turning while the striker runs off. Training really helped me learn those. And i wasnt diving in either. Passing was infinitely better too. ALL of us picked out intelligent and simple passes when needed. And tackling was improved. We also showed we dont HAVE to hit the big red button in the second half. Jogging is paying dividends to the stamina of those participating in it! And PLEASE lets not get complacent next time we play them. We beat them this time with good hard honest work. Next time might not be so good. Lets not assume we'll beat them like we used to assume about other teams!
Oh and a special mention to piggys laces who didnt make an appearence last night!
Well done Rangers. Lets learn the right lessons and take this into the next match. Lets face it, getting up this morning felt a WHOLE lot better than the previous 16 fridays!
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