Bramhall Rangers 3 Rapid Tirers 4
"I felt a lump in my mouth as the ball went in." - Terry Venables
It has been touted as one of the great sporting events of 2006, and those who took part will not have been disappointed. Players from all around the globe, Bramhall, Stockport, Marple, Cheadle Hulme and Hazel Grove all descended on Powerleague for what would be a feast of football.
A few of the big hitters were missing, Shiz was left out of the squad for disciplinary reasons after a couple of Big Pete moments at the pre-match gathering at Markstock, and Rascle was on the treatment table nursing a hangover! Anton was a late addition to the squad to provide some Eastern European grit in his 3rd game for the Rangers. And in a surprise inclusion that stunned the football world more than Roger Milla’s gyrating hips at Italia ‘90 aged 38 or Maradona’s drug fuelled escapades at USA ’94 when a post-match dope test revealed a cocktail of five different substances, Dr Holland pulled on the Rangers shirt for the first time since autumn ‘05. Would either scenario be repeated? Mini, Pie, Big Pete, Nev and Mr T returning in goal made up a squad of seven in very warm conditions against League 6 newcomers Rapid Tirers.
As the whistle to start the game went, the atmosphere on the touchline (Charlotte) was amazing! Flags, painted faces, drums and dancing could not be seen and it was wonderful! The game was a low scoring affair, neither side wanting to make a mistake on such an important stage with the eyes of the world upon them. The temperature meant the game was slow paced but there were still a few good moves by both sides. Rapid looked well organised and comfortable of the ball, and called Mr T to make some good early saves. Big Pete who had shrugged off allegations of a ‘dentists chair’ incident was looking dishevelled but this seemed to spur him on. He and Mini linked up quite well and looked a threat.
Dr H, the elder statesman was not too mobile in front of Mr T and was happy to spread the play and find the easy passes. He allowed Nev, one behind Belly in the appearances chart, to be his legs and take on a Shiz-like role with roaming runs and hard tackling. Rapid did take the lead but Rangers were defending very well, tracking the runners and most importantly blocking shots. The conditions meant players were more inclined to have a pot shot from distance than run with the ball or play quick one-twos.
Rangers then grabbed two quick goals to take what over the course of the first 15 minutes was probably a deserved lead. Mini found himself free to side foot past the keeper, and then after chasing a lost cause was able to play an angled pass off the boards to Big Pete who had the easiest of finishes with the keeper committed. It was great reward after some great defending.
IIRC, the half ended 2-2. Rapid scored their final goal of the half after one of the few occasions that the shot was not closed down quick enough and the slightest of deflections was enough to see it past Mr T. Probably due to tiredness at the end of the half it was disappointing but not so much so that Rangers would not recover. Plenty of fluids were taken at half time, Dr H had some Carlsberg to finish and Big Pete was on the rum!
The second half was played out in the same way as the first, this time the sun was directly in Mr T’s eyes. Fortunately he had the forethought to bring a hat, and again was up to the challenge with some smashing reflex saves and recovery saves. Anton was trying to influence the game, mainly on the flanks. Seldom daring to venture forward it was unlikely he would double his tally for the Rangers, but he did get some strong tackles in where it counted and listened to the shouts well to cover the runners and fill in the gaps.
Pie was having a very strong game, and showed some good footwork. On a couple of occasions he seemed to have broken free of the defence but was halted by a last ditch challenge or just couldn’t get the ball out of his feet. However, in keeping with his excellent start to the season, Pie was able to get Rangers 3rd of the game. It was the equaliser after they had fallen behind in the second half and was well deserved. His 30th goal game for the Rangers in 66 games came slightly fortuitously, a left footer (?) taking a deflection to bounce over the despairing dive of the keeper.
A draw would probably have been the correct result for the game, as both sides had done enough to warrant a point. However, football can be a cruel game and it was to be thus for the Rangers. Like Baggio’s missed penalty in USA ’94, Beckham’s kick out in France ’98 and the more unfortunate Anders Escobar of Colombia in USA’94 who’s own goal against the USA saw him shot dead when returning home after the 2-1 defeat, mistakes can cost you dear. A lack of options on the edge of the area saw Pie pick pocketed by the Rapid attacker who finished past Mr T, for ultimately the winning goal. Rumours that Pie left Powerleague with an armoured guard were not confirmed, but it will have been an uncomfortable night for the Rangers most capped player.
Given the conditions, the patchwork squad and the preparation, it was an excellent performance by the Rangers, who can take great belief that Rapid are beatable next time round. A long break should see the Rangers refreshed for their next game a week on Thursday.
Final score: Bramhall Rangers 3 Rapid Tirers 4
Goals: Mini (1), Big Pete (1), Pie (1)
Nev goal watch - 31
It has been touted as one of the great sporting events of 2006, and those who took part will not have been disappointed. Players from all around the globe, Bramhall, Stockport, Marple, Cheadle Hulme and Hazel Grove all descended on Powerleague for what would be a feast of football.
A few of the big hitters were missing, Shiz was left out of the squad for disciplinary reasons after a couple of Big Pete moments at the pre-match gathering at Markstock, and Rascle was on the treatment table nursing a hangover! Anton was a late addition to the squad to provide some Eastern European grit in his 3rd game for the Rangers. And in a surprise inclusion that stunned the football world more than Roger Milla’s gyrating hips at Italia ‘90 aged 38 or Maradona’s drug fuelled escapades at USA ’94 when a post-match dope test revealed a cocktail of five different substances, Dr Holland pulled on the Rangers shirt for the first time since autumn ‘05. Would either scenario be repeated? Mini, Pie, Big Pete, Nev and Mr T returning in goal made up a squad of seven in very warm conditions against League 6 newcomers Rapid Tirers.
As the whistle to start the game went, the atmosphere on the touchline (Charlotte) was amazing! Flags, painted faces, drums and dancing could not be seen and it was wonderful! The game was a low scoring affair, neither side wanting to make a mistake on such an important stage with the eyes of the world upon them. The temperature meant the game was slow paced but there were still a few good moves by both sides. Rapid looked well organised and comfortable of the ball, and called Mr T to make some good early saves. Big Pete who had shrugged off allegations of a ‘dentists chair’ incident was looking dishevelled but this seemed to spur him on. He and Mini linked up quite well and looked a threat.
Dr H, the elder statesman was not too mobile in front of Mr T and was happy to spread the play and find the easy passes. He allowed Nev, one behind Belly in the appearances chart, to be his legs and take on a Shiz-like role with roaming runs and hard tackling. Rapid did take the lead but Rangers were defending very well, tracking the runners and most importantly blocking shots. The conditions meant players were more inclined to have a pot shot from distance than run with the ball or play quick one-twos.
Rangers then grabbed two quick goals to take what over the course of the first 15 minutes was probably a deserved lead. Mini found himself free to side foot past the keeper, and then after chasing a lost cause was able to play an angled pass off the boards to Big Pete who had the easiest of finishes with the keeper committed. It was great reward after some great defending.
IIRC, the half ended 2-2. Rapid scored their final goal of the half after one of the few occasions that the shot was not closed down quick enough and the slightest of deflections was enough to see it past Mr T. Probably due to tiredness at the end of the half it was disappointing but not so much so that Rangers would not recover. Plenty of fluids were taken at half time, Dr H had some Carlsberg to finish and Big Pete was on the rum!
The second half was played out in the same way as the first, this time the sun was directly in Mr T’s eyes. Fortunately he had the forethought to bring a hat, and again was up to the challenge with some smashing reflex saves and recovery saves. Anton was trying to influence the game, mainly on the flanks. Seldom daring to venture forward it was unlikely he would double his tally for the Rangers, but he did get some strong tackles in where it counted and listened to the shouts well to cover the runners and fill in the gaps.
Pie was having a very strong game, and showed some good footwork. On a couple of occasions he seemed to have broken free of the defence but was halted by a last ditch challenge or just couldn’t get the ball out of his feet. However, in keeping with his excellent start to the season, Pie was able to get Rangers 3rd of the game. It was the equaliser after they had fallen behind in the second half and was well deserved. His 30th goal game for the Rangers in 66 games came slightly fortuitously, a left footer (?) taking a deflection to bounce over the despairing dive of the keeper.
A draw would probably have been the correct result for the game, as both sides had done enough to warrant a point. However, football can be a cruel game and it was to be thus for the Rangers. Like Baggio’s missed penalty in USA ’94, Beckham’s kick out in France ’98 and the more unfortunate Anders Escobar of Colombia in USA’94 who’s own goal against the USA saw him shot dead when returning home after the 2-1 defeat, mistakes can cost you dear. A lack of options on the edge of the area saw Pie pick pocketed by the Rapid attacker who finished past Mr T, for ultimately the winning goal. Rumours that Pie left Powerleague with an armoured guard were not confirmed, but it will have been an uncomfortable night for the Rangers most capped player.
Given the conditions, the patchwork squad and the preparation, it was an excellent performance by the Rangers, who can take great belief that Rapid are beatable next time round. A long break should see the Rangers refreshed for their next game a week on Thursday.
Final score: Bramhall Rangers 3 Rapid Tirers 4
Goals: Mini (1), Big Pete (1), Pie (1)
Nev goal watch - 31
posted by Mini at 10:10 am
3 Comments:
Sounded like a good game lads. Gutted I missed Dr H coming out of retirement for a "For One night only" performance.
From the pick pocketing comment it sounds like Antons strongly held belief that Manchester is more dangerous than Eastern Europe could well be true! I for one will be wearing my money belt from now on!
The big question on my mind though is whether Russ will ever play again after the recent streak of injuries? Will he, like King Arthur, need to be sent to Avalon to be looked after by fair maidens, only to return in the Rangers darkest hour? Or, like a WWE wrestler, will he keep his arm, firmly in the air on the third count of a choke hold, rise to his knees, gain strength from the roar of the crowd, and finally finish his arch enemy (The Evil Spetic Toe) off for good? Only time will tell!
Still really gutted about that last goal we conceded. All my fault. I thought i could beat the guy down the boards (I had done a couple of times previously) but my attempted "play it off the boards and run round the player" move failed when i comepletely messed up the angle and played it straight into his path.
My goal was right footed, but took a wicked deflection and spun up over the keeper. To be honest i think the dubious goals committee would probably take it off me, but as we don't have one of those i'm claiming it!! :)
Well played to everyone though, we battled hard and were unlucky not to get more out of the game.
How's the hand holding up Mini?
A tad sore actually. Cleaned it up a bit but its right on where the skin creases and moves so is quite painful when typing, like now!
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