Bramhall Rangers 2 - Northern Canaries 12
'If, since the start, I'd played well and put in some good matches it would all have been too simple.' - NICOLAS ANELKA
The anticipation for this match had grown all week. The Rangers, confident they could bury the demons of their past and sink the canaries for a memorable victory, were flying high until Thursday morning when they realised fate was dumping on them from a great height. The "Magnificent 7" that so often dominates the good results was reduced to the "So-So 5". Fist, Mini, Pie, Peter and Rascle turning up on the day for the match. Players unable to play included Shiz, who was on loan at a London club. Belly, whom is rumoured to have successfully had a knee Op, and is back in pre-season training. Justin, with whom 10pm kick offs rarely agree with. And Nev, who took a HORRIBLE clatter in last weeks match. He turned up as our only supporter, and having shown us his black and blue foot from toe to ankle, watched the rangers final game of the season.
So, onto the game, the canaries playing with 6, and in their flash new Norwich shirts. They looked a fitter team than previous outings and they certainly took the game to the rangers. Stacey being very quick to push the Rangers into their own half. But Rangers were playing calm. Passing the ball back to Fist to consume time, and keep possession. Rascle was settling into defence, and when he wasn't stood talking with Stacey, he was ghosting him like a shadow, forcing him to pass more instead of shoot. Peter and mini were doing their best to push forward, with Pie making a bright start. The Canaries first goal came around 7 minutes into the game. A swift 1-2 past the defenders, and slotted past a diving Fist. Rangers were doing their best to reply, Mini trying to turn players and shoot when possible. But his eye infection meant a lack of depth perception was hampering his accuracy. Peter was doing well on occasions to skip past 2, but his shot was often poor. It was nice to see he got annoyed at himself for missing some simple shots, although that pressure was building as the game went on.
Canaries managed to find the back of Fist's net on 3 more occasions before the half time whistle. A tired rangers team swapped ends slowly and made sure they got some air on board. Although tired bodies were on the pitch, sharp minds were still willing to push further. Rangers were happy with a 4-o scoreline, and were confident they could go on to score. The mid time scores came in as we learned Slim Jims had already won, sending them back to division 5, and making our match redundant. Especially as League leaders Rapid tiriers stormed past an idle cheadle, with cheadle conceding their 150th goal this season in a 15-1 defeat, to finish top of the table. Canaries could go no higher, we could go no lower. And yet canaries didn't seem to grasp this notion!
The second half started off much as the first. Rangers keeping men behind the ball for the first few minutes. But tiredness was starting to tell. Rangers conceded another few goals, and tempers were raring. Rascle annoyed at being forced onto the wing from defence. Pie irritated that Peter was not passing much, and Mini aggrieved that his shooting was off. Straight from kick off Peter passed back to Rascle who took a speculative shot from half way that soared high into the night sky. His spectacular goal against Canaries last season was not going to be repeated. The Rangers were trying harder to score in the second half however, with Mini scoring our first of the night. A swift through ball was nicely controlled, and tucked under the keeper to much applause. Everyone wanted a goal, and people were working hard to run forward for shots, and run back for defence. Pie was shooting whenver possible, electing not to pass and drag a shot wide. Peter was missing shots he would normally tuck away. Mini on a certain goal hit the keeper, and struck the 2 resulting rebounds straight at the man between the sticks too. Mini put a good through ball to Rascle who took one touch that was a little too hard and it rolled harmlessly into the keepers arms. Suddenly a swiftly taken throw went out to Canaries number 8. Confusion between Peter, Pie, and Rascle left Fist vulnerable for the resulting shot, that tucked into the bottom corner from the unmarked striker.
Canaries shots were ultimately better than Rangers. Shooting hard meant rebounds came out far enough for them to retain possession. And they weren't afraid to shoot from anywhere. Rascle tried to block a shot that skimmed under him and past a stationary Fist. This, Fist claimed, was due to being unsighted by Rascles "considerable bulk". Moving up the other end of the pitch and the ball was passed nicely from defence by pie to Peter. Rascle and Mini ran to the goal line and both screamed for the pass. But Peter once again chose to shoot, and scored a great goal from an impossible angle, clipping the top far corner of the net. But this was to be our last goal. However not the last word in the match. The the final 10 minutes, canaries scored the rest of their 12 goals, making them the leagues top goal scorers on 130 goals for. But it wasn't the shooting that was causing Nev to cheer wildly on the sidelines.
A quick footed Canary number 8 was met with the slow tackle of Rascle, sending him flying. Budweiser had turned up to see our "soccerball" and fearing that it was getting boring seemed to launch a "added time multiball", with 2 other footballs arriving from nowhere onto our pitch. Rascle took a shot in the nuts, as well as blocking 3 of his own players shots! Mark saved many shots in a good fashion, tho the one he caught just millimetres from his nuts was a corker!
But everyone's amazing moment had to be the Pie and Peter show. Pie, understandably annoyed at Peters insistence to dance the ball out of defence and usually failing, launched into a scathing attack mid game. Screeching like a banshee at Peter to pass the ball to Fist and start looking up, as Pie was also free for the pass. In a true moment of madness, Peter turned to face his own goal and screamed "Just fuck off john!", and proceeded to blast a toe poker at Fists goal! The shot, being of more skill than the ones facing the oppositions net, narrowly missed the corner, whereby all the rangers stopped. Canaries continued to play and Pie fell over ass over tit clearing the ball. The canaries commented "did we get the free kick because those two were arguing?"
As the final whistle blew, Rangers knew they were deservedly beaten. The "so-So 5" had proved themselves admirably in tough circumstances, but were once again thwarted by lower fitness than our opponents, some tired man marking at the end, and surprisingly, poor shooting. Which isn't usually the key to our downfalls. In fighting and unrest in the team is also starting to creep back in, wlthough we're confident we can beat this. The loss saw us end the league in 7th place, having conceded 125, and scoring 67 this season.
The next few weeks see's us missing key players again. Pie, so often a source of passes, goals, sourcing players, and general footballing comedy, is away in Australia for 3 weeks. Nevs ankle looked nasty and we discussed him being out for 3 weeks. Belly is still going to be 3-4 weeks it is suggested with his knee. We'll hear about Mini's eye infection shortly. And shiz is rumoured to be on a training course next week. Although he's back for the Rangers awards next friday. Remember to fill in your voting forms!! Categories chosen include:
Player of the Season
Most Improved Player
Coco the Clown
Sicknote
One Hit Wonder
Rick Holland sponsored Crunching tackle award - An award for the Ranger player who dishes out the toughest challenge that the ref doesn't call a foul for.
Remember its at the mango lounge in stockport. Shiz will be providing clearer details soon.
Final Score – Bramhall Rangers 2 Northern Canaries 12
Goals - Mini (1), Peter (1)
Nev goal watch - 39
Rascle
The anticipation for this match had grown all week. The Rangers, confident they could bury the demons of their past and sink the canaries for a memorable victory, were flying high until Thursday morning when they realised fate was dumping on them from a great height. The "Magnificent 7" that so often dominates the good results was reduced to the "So-So 5". Fist, Mini, Pie, Peter and Rascle turning up on the day for the match. Players unable to play included Shiz, who was on loan at a London club. Belly, whom is rumoured to have successfully had a knee Op, and is back in pre-season training. Justin, with whom 10pm kick offs rarely agree with. And Nev, who took a HORRIBLE clatter in last weeks match. He turned up as our only supporter, and having shown us his black and blue foot from toe to ankle, watched the rangers final game of the season.
So, onto the game, the canaries playing with 6, and in their flash new Norwich shirts. They looked a fitter team than previous outings and they certainly took the game to the rangers. Stacey being very quick to push the Rangers into their own half. But Rangers were playing calm. Passing the ball back to Fist to consume time, and keep possession. Rascle was settling into defence, and when he wasn't stood talking with Stacey, he was ghosting him like a shadow, forcing him to pass more instead of shoot. Peter and mini were doing their best to push forward, with Pie making a bright start. The Canaries first goal came around 7 minutes into the game. A swift 1-2 past the defenders, and slotted past a diving Fist. Rangers were doing their best to reply, Mini trying to turn players and shoot when possible. But his eye infection meant a lack of depth perception was hampering his accuracy. Peter was doing well on occasions to skip past 2, but his shot was often poor. It was nice to see he got annoyed at himself for missing some simple shots, although that pressure was building as the game went on.
Canaries managed to find the back of Fist's net on 3 more occasions before the half time whistle. A tired rangers team swapped ends slowly and made sure they got some air on board. Although tired bodies were on the pitch, sharp minds were still willing to push further. Rangers were happy with a 4-o scoreline, and were confident they could go on to score. The mid time scores came in as we learned Slim Jims had already won, sending them back to division 5, and making our match redundant. Especially as League leaders Rapid tiriers stormed past an idle cheadle, with cheadle conceding their 150th goal this season in a 15-1 defeat, to finish top of the table. Canaries could go no higher, we could go no lower. And yet canaries didn't seem to grasp this notion!
The second half started off much as the first. Rangers keeping men behind the ball for the first few minutes. But tiredness was starting to tell. Rangers conceded another few goals, and tempers were raring. Rascle annoyed at being forced onto the wing from defence. Pie irritated that Peter was not passing much, and Mini aggrieved that his shooting was off. Straight from kick off Peter passed back to Rascle who took a speculative shot from half way that soared high into the night sky. His spectacular goal against Canaries last season was not going to be repeated. The Rangers were trying harder to score in the second half however, with Mini scoring our first of the night. A swift through ball was nicely controlled, and tucked under the keeper to much applause. Everyone wanted a goal, and people were working hard to run forward for shots, and run back for defence. Pie was shooting whenver possible, electing not to pass and drag a shot wide. Peter was missing shots he would normally tuck away. Mini on a certain goal hit the keeper, and struck the 2 resulting rebounds straight at the man between the sticks too. Mini put a good through ball to Rascle who took one touch that was a little too hard and it rolled harmlessly into the keepers arms. Suddenly a swiftly taken throw went out to Canaries number 8. Confusion between Peter, Pie, and Rascle left Fist vulnerable for the resulting shot, that tucked into the bottom corner from the unmarked striker.
Canaries shots were ultimately better than Rangers. Shooting hard meant rebounds came out far enough for them to retain possession. And they weren't afraid to shoot from anywhere. Rascle tried to block a shot that skimmed under him and past a stationary Fist. This, Fist claimed, was due to being unsighted by Rascles "considerable bulk". Moving up the other end of the pitch and the ball was passed nicely from defence by pie to Peter. Rascle and Mini ran to the goal line and both screamed for the pass. But Peter once again chose to shoot, and scored a great goal from an impossible angle, clipping the top far corner of the net. But this was to be our last goal. However not the last word in the match. The the final 10 minutes, canaries scored the rest of their 12 goals, making them the leagues top goal scorers on 130 goals for. But it wasn't the shooting that was causing Nev to cheer wildly on the sidelines.
A quick footed Canary number 8 was met with the slow tackle of Rascle, sending him flying. Budweiser had turned up to see our "soccerball" and fearing that it was getting boring seemed to launch a "added time multiball", with 2 other footballs arriving from nowhere onto our pitch. Rascle took a shot in the nuts, as well as blocking 3 of his own players shots! Mark saved many shots in a good fashion, tho the one he caught just millimetres from his nuts was a corker!
But everyone's amazing moment had to be the Pie and Peter show. Pie, understandably annoyed at Peters insistence to dance the ball out of defence and usually failing, launched into a scathing attack mid game. Screeching like a banshee at Peter to pass the ball to Fist and start looking up, as Pie was also free for the pass. In a true moment of madness, Peter turned to face his own goal and screamed "Just fuck off john!", and proceeded to blast a toe poker at Fists goal! The shot, being of more skill than the ones facing the oppositions net, narrowly missed the corner, whereby all the rangers stopped. Canaries continued to play and Pie fell over ass over tit clearing the ball. The canaries commented "did we get the free kick because those two were arguing?"
As the final whistle blew, Rangers knew they were deservedly beaten. The "so-So 5" had proved themselves admirably in tough circumstances, but were once again thwarted by lower fitness than our opponents, some tired man marking at the end, and surprisingly, poor shooting. Which isn't usually the key to our downfalls. In fighting and unrest in the team is also starting to creep back in, wlthough we're confident we can beat this. The loss saw us end the league in 7th place, having conceded 125, and scoring 67 this season.
The next few weeks see's us missing key players again. Pie, so often a source of passes, goals, sourcing players, and general footballing comedy, is away in Australia for 3 weeks. Nevs ankle looked nasty and we discussed him being out for 3 weeks. Belly is still going to be 3-4 weeks it is suggested with his knee. We'll hear about Mini's eye infection shortly. And shiz is rumoured to be on a training course next week. Although he's back for the Rangers awards next friday. Remember to fill in your voting forms!! Categories chosen include:
Player of the Season
Most Improved Player
Coco the Clown
Sicknote
One Hit Wonder
Rick Holland sponsored Crunching tackle award - An award for the Ranger player who dishes out the toughest challenge that the ref doesn't call a foul for.
Remember its at the mango lounge in stockport. Shiz will be providing clearer details soon.
Final Score – Bramhall Rangers 2 Northern Canaries 12
Goals - Mini (1), Peter (1)
Nev goal watch - 39
Rascle
posted by -=EviL Ras=- at 6:37 pm
1 Comments:
Sounds like an amusing match. I saw Mini earlier on the Thursday and his eye looked terrible. Well done for playing Mini, although the irony is that forefitting the game would have resulted in the same goal difference :)
I'm out next Thursday as well sadly due to back problems, and the week after that I'm on Holiday! Yee ha!
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