Bramhall Rangers 2 Slim Jims 13
"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." - erectile dysfunction sufferer Pele.
The Brazilians were prematurely dumped out of the World Cup this summer, after ageing stars playing on reputation were sent to bring the Jules Rimmet trophy back to Sao Paolo. However, they struggled to cope with the fervour and passion of the more physical, fitter and better organised European teams. It seems appropriate that this week, Bramhall Rangers introduced a South American flavour to Powerleague, without the expectation or reputation.
As with Brazilian teams, you often wonder why anyone would want to go in goal, and miss out of the tricks and treats of outfield play. This was no different for the Rangers. With No.1 Bito recovering from knee surgery (get back soon safe hands!), and this seasons first choice Mildo away in Scotland (they need all the coaching tips they can get up there!), it fell on two of the regular outfield players Petisco and Nevaldo to do a half each. The creative nouse was provided by Rao, with Ha and Shirrito taking on midfield roles. The long awaited return of Russico for his second game of the season was a welcome sight, and he provided defensive cover when Nevaldo took the gloves in the second half. Slim Jims were the opponents.
Rangers tried to exploit the sun in the Slim (by name, not nature!) keepers eyes in the first half but sadly were found wanting as chances were few and far between. Slim Jims were much more organised and took their chances well after some traditionally hectic defending. Brazilian football is nothing if not a master class in how not to defend! Petisco repelled as many efforts as he could and made a couple of smart saves. The blues were lucky to see an effort rebound of the woodwork but still found themselves 3 or 4 down without reply and the game was nearly done and dusted midway through the first half.
Petao did notch a goal but unluckily it was past Petisco, after trying to intercept a throughball. He has been in the 90’s for goals since hitting 94 goals with 5 against CUT several weeks ago. However, the pressure of reaching the tonne has led to only 3 goals in the following 5 games. Will it be reached this season?
A glimmer of hope came toward the end of the half as Rao collected the ball in the far right corner of the pitch. With seemingly no options and no space he managed to curl the ball with what looked like the outside of his right boot and it nested in the far corner, to hit double figures in his 10th Rangers outing and level with Hollisco in the scoring charts. It was a touch of Samba flair, to grace what had otherwise been a dull performance.
Just a note on something that happened in the first half. If anyone ever doubted the need for communication or were not sure how a lack of it can lead to problems, take the incident in the half where Ha and Rao managed to tackle one another and totally lose the momentum of the attack. It summed up the communication probles we have experienced for the best part of 4 years!
At half time it was about 5-1 IIRC, and Rangers hadn’t really got going. Seemingly lacking creativity and flair they were a shadow of themselves from previous campaigns, any hopes of glory this summer slipping away. Gillinho Da Costa tried to recreate the atmosphere of the carnivals of Rio at half time but a lack of scantily clad women dancing to the beat of Carlos Santana was evident, and made it difficult for her to raise the spirits.
A change for the second half saw Nevaldo replace Petisco in the sticks, to add some more going forward. The second half started really brightly for the Rangers, and was their best spell of the game. Invigorated by a new attacking player they linked up well to create space and some good chances. Ha, Petisco and Rao linked up and Petisco slotted home his 160th goal after an exquisite back-heel from Rao! “Wilkommen zum Fussball!” It was street soccer taken to the next level!
Unfortunately that was as good as it got, and after their initial shock Slim Jims were able to settle back into a rhythm that punished the Rangers. Russico was strong but struggled with fitness in his first game for 7 weeks. Shirrito was full of running in his 60th game, but was penned in his own half too much trying to cope with the onslaught. Ha was singled out for some rough treatment in his 70th career game and sat out the last 10 minutes of the game with a back injury. The attacking players had few chances but Petisco spurned a one on one, and a Rao and Petao fired off target.
Nevaldo was not well protected in the second half and did extremely well to keep the score somewhat respectable. Some crazy defending by Petao on the edge of his own area gifted the Slim Jims two further goals and put Petisco in a spot of bother with the ref after trying (in earnest to rescue the situation).
Further incident was avoided and Rangers were thankful for the final whistle. The game in two weeks time versus CUT is a crutch match as the winner will avoid the wooden spoon. However, top scorer Petisco will be absent due to a mid-season holiday and after CUT picked up 3 points in a win over Monkhouse Gladbach by 10-3, they will be brimming with confidence.
Nevaldo goal watch - 35
The Brazilians were prematurely dumped out of the World Cup this summer, after ageing stars playing on reputation were sent to bring the Jules Rimmet trophy back to Sao Paolo. However, they struggled to cope with the fervour and passion of the more physical, fitter and better organised European teams. It seems appropriate that this week, Bramhall Rangers introduced a South American flavour to Powerleague, without the expectation or reputation.
As with Brazilian teams, you often wonder why anyone would want to go in goal, and miss out of the tricks and treats of outfield play. This was no different for the Rangers. With No.1 Bito recovering from knee surgery (get back soon safe hands!), and this seasons first choice Mildo away in Scotland (they need all the coaching tips they can get up there!), it fell on two of the regular outfield players Petisco and Nevaldo to do a half each. The creative nouse was provided by Rao, with Ha and Shirrito taking on midfield roles. The long awaited return of Russico for his second game of the season was a welcome sight, and he provided defensive cover when Nevaldo took the gloves in the second half. Slim Jims were the opponents.
Rangers tried to exploit the sun in the Slim (by name, not nature!) keepers eyes in the first half but sadly were found wanting as chances were few and far between. Slim Jims were much more organised and took their chances well after some traditionally hectic defending. Brazilian football is nothing if not a master class in how not to defend! Petisco repelled as many efforts as he could and made a couple of smart saves. The blues were lucky to see an effort rebound of the woodwork but still found themselves 3 or 4 down without reply and the game was nearly done and dusted midway through the first half.
Petao did notch a goal but unluckily it was past Petisco, after trying to intercept a throughball. He has been in the 90’s for goals since hitting 94 goals with 5 against CUT several weeks ago. However, the pressure of reaching the tonne has led to only 3 goals in the following 5 games. Will it be reached this season?
A glimmer of hope came toward the end of the half as Rao collected the ball in the far right corner of the pitch. With seemingly no options and no space he managed to curl the ball with what looked like the outside of his right boot and it nested in the far corner, to hit double figures in his 10th Rangers outing and level with Hollisco in the scoring charts. It was a touch of Samba flair, to grace what had otherwise been a dull performance.
Just a note on something that happened in the first half. If anyone ever doubted the need for communication or were not sure how a lack of it can lead to problems, take the incident in the half where Ha and Rao managed to tackle one another and totally lose the momentum of the attack. It summed up the communication probles we have experienced for the best part of 4 years!
At half time it was about 5-1 IIRC, and Rangers hadn’t really got going. Seemingly lacking creativity and flair they were a shadow of themselves from previous campaigns, any hopes of glory this summer slipping away. Gillinho Da Costa tried to recreate the atmosphere of the carnivals of Rio at half time but a lack of scantily clad women dancing to the beat of Carlos Santana was evident, and made it difficult for her to raise the spirits.
A change for the second half saw Nevaldo replace Petisco in the sticks, to add some more going forward. The second half started really brightly for the Rangers, and was their best spell of the game. Invigorated by a new attacking player they linked up well to create space and some good chances. Ha, Petisco and Rao linked up and Petisco slotted home his 160th goal after an exquisite back-heel from Rao! “Wilkommen zum Fussball!” It was street soccer taken to the next level!
Unfortunately that was as good as it got, and after their initial shock Slim Jims were able to settle back into a rhythm that punished the Rangers. Russico was strong but struggled with fitness in his first game for 7 weeks. Shirrito was full of running in his 60th game, but was penned in his own half too much trying to cope with the onslaught. Ha was singled out for some rough treatment in his 70th career game and sat out the last 10 minutes of the game with a back injury. The attacking players had few chances but Petisco spurned a one on one, and a Rao and Petao fired off target.
Nevaldo was not well protected in the second half and did extremely well to keep the score somewhat respectable. Some crazy defending by Petao on the edge of his own area gifted the Slim Jims two further goals and put Petisco in a spot of bother with the ref after trying (in earnest to rescue the situation).
Further incident was avoided and Rangers were thankful for the final whistle. The game in two weeks time versus CUT is a crutch match as the winner will avoid the wooden spoon. However, top scorer Petisco will be absent due to a mid-season holiday and after CUT picked up 3 points in a win over Monkhouse Gladbach by 10-3, they will be brimming with confidence.
Nevaldo goal watch - 35
posted by Mini at 11:00 am
3 Comments:
Oh dear... what a terrible match. Many apologies for what was a fairly abysmal performance from me. No excuses, it was crap by my standards, and I feel ashamed of it.
Overall, our marking took an even bigger step back this match over the already poor standard set last match.
Level 1 defending - be goal side of your man, and within 1 arms length of him at all times.
If you can't master this, don't try more advanced defending techniques. The one time you pull off an interception or a dart around, doesn't discount the 10 times you mess it up and an opposition player is tearing towards goal, with a man over.
It really is very simple marking. It just takes discipline to stay with your man, instead of being drawn to the ball like a year 3 Primary School footballer.
My back really hurts.
Anyway apologies for my lashing out after being creamed against the boards. Frustration got the better of me, but thats no excuse, I shouldn't have done it.
We are all suffering from a distinct lack of confidence and trust in our teammates abilities it seems to me. But we are all better than we have been showing and we will get back to better performances in the future...
Apologies also. I was trying to track up and down the pitch, with the rare encouragement from l11fey. But my fitness is definately waining. No sport for 6 weeks will do that to you! On the exercise bike tonight. Will try and get fitter for next week.
I do hate playing the slim jims. As the reasons were shown yesterday. over violent team. I learnt a few things tghat i can take into the next match. Well done to the 2 keepers, stirling job. Shame we didnt capitalise on shooting with our backs to the sun in the first half. My shots were awful. And i see now why everyone got so annoyed with piggy last week! NO MORE BACKHEELS!!! You're banned!!!
Still, for what its worth lads, we turned up and played. Cant ask more than that.
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