Bramhall Rangers 4 The Slim Jims 5
"I know what is around the corner. I just don't know where the corner is." – Self-styled racist Ron Atkinson
Thursday 25th May 2006 saw the beginning of the 5th season at Powerleague for the Rangers, and started with the same team that had come together for the majority of the previous seasons games. Mr T was in goal, Rascle and Nev made up the defence, Pie and Shiz the midfield roles and Big Pete and Mini the striking options. The opposition were previous division 6 promotion winners Slim Jims, who had been relegated from the division above. The games against them are physical affairs, but usually close, Rangers having come out on top once previously and forcing a draw in two of the last four meetings.
The Slim Jims got into their stride comfortably and with the help of some suspect refereeing were able to get into a two goal lead. As expected the game was physical with both sides giving 100% in the challenge. Despite conceding a couple of goals the Rangers did not collapse, even though they were struggling to break through at the other end. A few long distance efforts were blocked or comfortably saved. Rascle had a chance to score with a shot on the turn but didn’t connect properly. Nev also hit the outside of the post in his 31st game for the Rangers, after a good burst down the right wing.
Big Pete and Mini tried to make the most of the morsels that were thrown their way, but little time on the ball and the lack of good supply meant they could not capitalise.
At half time the Rangers had failed to register, and were 3 goals down (IIRC). Slightly shaken by the physical play the half time break was welcome as it gave them a chance to gather their thoughts and take a breather. Coming out in the second half they were much more accomplished going forward. Shiz and Pie seemed to have a second longer on the ball and were able to feed the passes into the attackers. Rangers got back into the game when Mini fed the ball to Pie in the corner. He took a touch and spotted Big Pete making a darting run. The pass was perfect and Piggy finished coolly.
The goal gave Rangers a boost and for several minutes they were camped in the Slim Jims half. The keeper made a number of excellent point blank reflex saves and kept the Jims ahead. Then came the Rangers second goal. Shiz battled hard in the corner and along the boards and with an out-stretched toe was able to direct the ball down the line. Mini gave chase and with little opportunity to take a touch before it went into the area flicked the ball in from an acute angle with his left foot. Rangers were back in business!
The Slim Jims did manage to get a goal to make it 4-2 and seemingly make the game safe, however they did not predict the resilience and bouncebackability of the Rangers. After the Slim keeper and defence had blocked another barrage on the goal, the ball fell to Mini who took a touch with his right and fired the ball into the bottom left corner, across the goal keeper. It was 4-3 and the Slim Jims were beginning to get worried. A bit a tension grew as they sensed, as did the Rangers, that the game was not over.
Shiz, who felt he doesn’t get the licence to run and run against the more disciplined opposition was not able to influence the game in the last third, yet was breaking up play well in the centre midfield. Big Pete seemed to be relishing the physical battle which as encouraging to see and really got stuck in culminating in a lashing back heel horse kick into the crotch of a Slim Jims player! Pie was also able to use his stature more effectively and was willing to go in with strength against some similarly built players.
Mini, who felt the chances would come, was able to seal his hat trick and bring the game level with about 8 minutes to go. Cutting out a throw out, and managing to eventually dig it out of his feet, Mini advanced one on one and finished calmly to the bottom right for his 8th in two games, much to the exasperation of the Slim Jims.
The last stages of the game were nervous with neither side wanting to make a mistake that would lead to a winner. Rangers had a couple of chances with Big Pete coming close, and Mr T was having a very able game in goal coping with the efforts that came his way. Unfortunately the mistake was made by the Rangers. A Rascle/Nev combo pulled down a Slim Jim on the edge of the box and from the subsequent free kick, slack marking led to a goal. Set pieces are not a way to be conceding in 5-a-side.
There was little time to get back into the game, and as the whistle went Rangers were disheartened as it was a point dropped. Slim Jims will be very relieved to get the maximum as they were pushed to the end by a resilient Bramhall, who can be satisfied with their performance.
Rangers have now scored a total of 397 goals as a team, and the question on everyone’s lips (well, mine) is who will get the magical 400th? Surely it will come in next weeks encounter with the Puss in Boots.
Final score: Bramhall Rangers 4 Slim Jims 5
Goals: Mini (3), Big Pete (1)
Nev goal watch - 28
Thursday 25th May 2006 saw the beginning of the 5th season at Powerleague for the Rangers, and started with the same team that had come together for the majority of the previous seasons games. Mr T was in goal, Rascle and Nev made up the defence, Pie and Shiz the midfield roles and Big Pete and Mini the striking options. The opposition were previous division 6 promotion winners Slim Jims, who had been relegated from the division above. The games against them are physical affairs, but usually close, Rangers having come out on top once previously and forcing a draw in two of the last four meetings.
The Slim Jims got into their stride comfortably and with the help of some suspect refereeing were able to get into a two goal lead. As expected the game was physical with both sides giving 100% in the challenge. Despite conceding a couple of goals the Rangers did not collapse, even though they were struggling to break through at the other end. A few long distance efforts were blocked or comfortably saved. Rascle had a chance to score with a shot on the turn but didn’t connect properly. Nev also hit the outside of the post in his 31st game for the Rangers, after a good burst down the right wing.
Big Pete and Mini tried to make the most of the morsels that were thrown their way, but little time on the ball and the lack of good supply meant they could not capitalise.
At half time the Rangers had failed to register, and were 3 goals down (IIRC). Slightly shaken by the physical play the half time break was welcome as it gave them a chance to gather their thoughts and take a breather. Coming out in the second half they were much more accomplished going forward. Shiz and Pie seemed to have a second longer on the ball and were able to feed the passes into the attackers. Rangers got back into the game when Mini fed the ball to Pie in the corner. He took a touch and spotted Big Pete making a darting run. The pass was perfect and Piggy finished coolly.
The goal gave Rangers a boost and for several minutes they were camped in the Slim Jims half. The keeper made a number of excellent point blank reflex saves and kept the Jims ahead. Then came the Rangers second goal. Shiz battled hard in the corner and along the boards and with an out-stretched toe was able to direct the ball down the line. Mini gave chase and with little opportunity to take a touch before it went into the area flicked the ball in from an acute angle with his left foot. Rangers were back in business!
The Slim Jims did manage to get a goal to make it 4-2 and seemingly make the game safe, however they did not predict the resilience and bouncebackability of the Rangers. After the Slim keeper and defence had blocked another barrage on the goal, the ball fell to Mini who took a touch with his right and fired the ball into the bottom left corner, across the goal keeper. It was 4-3 and the Slim Jims were beginning to get worried. A bit a tension grew as they sensed, as did the Rangers, that the game was not over.
Shiz, who felt he doesn’t get the licence to run and run against the more disciplined opposition was not able to influence the game in the last third, yet was breaking up play well in the centre midfield. Big Pete seemed to be relishing the physical battle which as encouraging to see and really got stuck in culminating in a lashing back heel horse kick into the crotch of a Slim Jims player! Pie was also able to use his stature more effectively and was willing to go in with strength against some similarly built players.
Mini, who felt the chances would come, was able to seal his hat trick and bring the game level with about 8 minutes to go. Cutting out a throw out, and managing to eventually dig it out of his feet, Mini advanced one on one and finished calmly to the bottom right for his 8th in two games, much to the exasperation of the Slim Jims.
The last stages of the game were nervous with neither side wanting to make a mistake that would lead to a winner. Rangers had a couple of chances with Big Pete coming close, and Mr T was having a very able game in goal coping with the efforts that came his way. Unfortunately the mistake was made by the Rangers. A Rascle/Nev combo pulled down a Slim Jim on the edge of the box and from the subsequent free kick, slack marking led to a goal. Set pieces are not a way to be conceding in 5-a-side.
There was little time to get back into the game, and as the whistle went Rangers were disheartened as it was a point dropped. Slim Jims will be very relieved to get the maximum as they were pushed to the end by a resilient Bramhall, who can be satisfied with their performance.
Rangers have now scored a total of 397 goals as a team, and the question on everyone’s lips (well, mine) is who will get the magical 400th? Surely it will come in next weeks encounter with the Puss in Boots.
Final score: Bramhall Rangers 4 Slim Jims 5
Goals: Mini (3), Big Pete (1)
Nev goal watch - 28
posted by Mini at 10:15 am
1 Comments:
I thought we played really well yesterday, and were unlucky to lose because I think we were worthy of at least a draw if not a win!
Credit to everyone who kept going and battling. It was generally agreed the ref was poor in the first half (and I apologise for my outburst, though I still don't see how he could have actually sent me off) but was a lot fairer in the second when he ignored a lot of rubbish from the Slim Jims...
Piggy again I felt had a really good game - putting himself about a bit more and defending much better. Please try to learn to tackle though!
Nev was also resolute in his defending as usual, and it gives me (and I hope the team) knowing he is back there. Between him and Shiz especially I think the Slim Jims were getting quite annoyed with some strong but fair tackles...
Hopefully we can keep up that level of performance and commitment throughout the season...
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