Bramhall Rangers 8 Cheadle Utd Thursday 6
"If you don't believe you can win, there is no point in getting out of bed at the end of the day." - Neville Southall
The season had not gone to plan so far for the Rangers. The key to last season, consistency in squad selection, had not been possible for the first two games and was no different this week. Against Cheadle Utd, the blues are normally confident of a win, but stripped down to the bear bones of a squad had their work cut out to maintain their unbeaten record (not including voided games) against Utd.
Keeperless due to Belly’s injury and Mr T being loaned to an academic team for the night, Mini went in the sticks for the first half and Pie the second. Rascle was absent with a sore toe/back twinge and all other possible replacements were not able to play due to the short notice. Dr H was even considered, but alas he was playing pool, about as much physical exertion he can manage these days! Shiz, Nev and Big Pete made the five.
It was five against seven in terms of squad size, and the temperature was high. Cheadle maybe sensed a potential upset and started the brightly. They took the lead after the Rangers couldn’t clear and the ball bobbled to the edge of the area to be slotted past Mini. Rangers were not down hearted by the early setback and through the first half relied on the goals of Big Pete to force the game. Showing some excellent distance shooting and scoring from the angles Big Pete got two to put the Rangers back in front. The lead exchanged hands during the half, neither side willing to push into the lead. Mini was left static with a shot in at the near post, but made a couple of good one-on-one saves.
At half time it was 4-4 (IIRC). Big Pete had collected all of the goals and was well on target to reach 100 goals for the Rangers. He ended this game on a total of 96 goals in 61 games. A couple of assists were made by Pie, but a lot of the hard work was done by Big Pete. Will the ton be reached on Sunday? As a unit the Rangers were working really well, Nev was the defensive player who mopped up in front of Mini and distributed out of defence. Pie worked the midfield and boards well and Big Pete was on hand for the striking options. Shiz, suffering with painful feet after much walking in Europe was up and down. The change at half time was to bring Mini outfield and Pie to take the gloves and garish keeper jersey.
This change was beneficial to the Rangers who were able to exploit the space up field to better effect. Cheadle give their opponents far too much time on the ball which puts them on the back foot every attack. However, CUT did take the lead again straight after the break, a couple of deflections sending the ball bouncing and spinning past Pie.
Mini took a while to get into his stride and missed several good chances. Pulling a few efforts wide or straight at the keeper it looked like it could be a frustrating day for the striker. There was encouragement in the link up play with Big Pete and Shiz though and some good passing and movement. Nev was growing in confidence and thriving off the extra space. It enabled him to pick his passes and also have the occasional attempt on goal. A few good connections worried the keeper but not the score. It is 30 games without a goal for Nev, a record not to be sniffed at!
The scores stayed similar again and in fact CUT took the lead again despite being pegged back after Mini had finally found the net after a couple of rebounds. With more discipline Utd could have seen the game out however they were too quick to throw men forward and ultimately this was their undoing. Mini equalised and then rapped up his hat trick, all goals coming similarly with good link up play and usually at the second or third attempt. It was 150 up for Mini, a great achievement!
7-6 ahead with minutes to go CUT were pushing all they had forward. They were unfortunate with a strike hitting the foot of the post. Pie made some unorthodox saves (when is a save ever simple for Pie?) and there was some wonderful defending from Nev to keep the lead. Big Pete lingered upfront for the counterattack and sealed the win when he finished smartly after a pinpoint through ball from Mini.
Considering the numbers and heat it was a never-say-die performance from the Rangers, who registered their first win of the season. The next game has been moved to Sunday 11th June so as not to clash with England v Trinidad, but falls the day after Martstock, which could prove problematic!
Final score: Bramhall Rangers 8 Cheadle Utd 6
Goals: Big Pete (5), Mini (3)
Nev goal watch - 30
The season had not gone to plan so far for the Rangers. The key to last season, consistency in squad selection, had not been possible for the first two games and was no different this week. Against Cheadle Utd, the blues are normally confident of a win, but stripped down to the bear bones of a squad had their work cut out to maintain their unbeaten record (not including voided games) against Utd.
Keeperless due to Belly’s injury and Mr T being loaned to an academic team for the night, Mini went in the sticks for the first half and Pie the second. Rascle was absent with a sore toe/back twinge and all other possible replacements were not able to play due to the short notice. Dr H was even considered, but alas he was playing pool, about as much physical exertion he can manage these days! Shiz, Nev and Big Pete made the five.
It was five against seven in terms of squad size, and the temperature was high. Cheadle maybe sensed a potential upset and started the brightly. They took the lead after the Rangers couldn’t clear and the ball bobbled to the edge of the area to be slotted past Mini. Rangers were not down hearted by the early setback and through the first half relied on the goals of Big Pete to force the game. Showing some excellent distance shooting and scoring from the angles Big Pete got two to put the Rangers back in front. The lead exchanged hands during the half, neither side willing to push into the lead. Mini was left static with a shot in at the near post, but made a couple of good one-on-one saves.
At half time it was 4-4 (IIRC). Big Pete had collected all of the goals and was well on target to reach 100 goals for the Rangers. He ended this game on a total of 96 goals in 61 games. A couple of assists were made by Pie, but a lot of the hard work was done by Big Pete. Will the ton be reached on Sunday? As a unit the Rangers were working really well, Nev was the defensive player who mopped up in front of Mini and distributed out of defence. Pie worked the midfield and boards well and Big Pete was on hand for the striking options. Shiz, suffering with painful feet after much walking in Europe was up and down. The change at half time was to bring Mini outfield and Pie to take the gloves and garish keeper jersey.
This change was beneficial to the Rangers who were able to exploit the space up field to better effect. Cheadle give their opponents far too much time on the ball which puts them on the back foot every attack. However, CUT did take the lead again straight after the break, a couple of deflections sending the ball bouncing and spinning past Pie.
Mini took a while to get into his stride and missed several good chances. Pulling a few efforts wide or straight at the keeper it looked like it could be a frustrating day for the striker. There was encouragement in the link up play with Big Pete and Shiz though and some good passing and movement. Nev was growing in confidence and thriving off the extra space. It enabled him to pick his passes and also have the occasional attempt on goal. A few good connections worried the keeper but not the score. It is 30 games without a goal for Nev, a record not to be sniffed at!
The scores stayed similar again and in fact CUT took the lead again despite being pegged back after Mini had finally found the net after a couple of rebounds. With more discipline Utd could have seen the game out however they were too quick to throw men forward and ultimately this was their undoing. Mini equalised and then rapped up his hat trick, all goals coming similarly with good link up play and usually at the second or third attempt. It was 150 up for Mini, a great achievement!
7-6 ahead with minutes to go CUT were pushing all they had forward. They were unfortunate with a strike hitting the foot of the post. Pie made some unorthodox saves (when is a save ever simple for Pie?) and there was some wonderful defending from Nev to keep the lead. Big Pete lingered upfront for the counterattack and sealed the win when he finished smartly after a pinpoint through ball from Mini.
Considering the numbers and heat it was a never-say-die performance from the Rangers, who registered their first win of the season. The next game has been moved to Sunday 11th June so as not to clash with England v Trinidad, but falls the day after Martstock, which could prove problematic!
Final score: Bramhall Rangers 8 Cheadle Utd 6
Goals: Big Pete (5), Mini (3)
Nev goal watch - 30
posted by Mini at 9:55 am
2 Comments:
Credit everybody, it was a battle.
The conditions weren't too dissimilar from playing in the Sahara desert, the heat was that strong!!
Well played especially to Nev (again - he makes defending look easy!) and Big Pete who finally found a gmae to rack up some goals.
Also credit to Shiz who must really be regretting it now after the pained look on his face when he finally walked off the pitch yesterday. He's probably gratefult of the 2 week rest till his next game!
And that says grateful, not gratefult!
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