Bramhall Rangers 7 Monkhouse Gladbach 2
“Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them-a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.” – Muhammad Ali
A turbulent season is drawing to a close for the Rangers. Consistency has been lacking, yet there has been promise shown in a fair number of bouts. After a couple of inconsistent performances in the last two clashes, Rangers went into this Thursdays meet with the “Magnificent 7” (copyright pending by Pie). The household names do not need mentioning but for the sake of the report they were Mr T in the sticks, Nev and Rascle doing the defensive blocking, Pie and Shiz the combinations, and Big Pete and a returning Mini looking for the finishing blows.
In their last meeting the blues had narrowly been beaten by Monkhouse Gladbach by 8-6. Mini had suffered a bloodied nose and Lifey had been in the squad. Gladbach were at a disadvantage from the off with no substitutes but started the contest with the advantage of having the sun right in Mr T’s eye line. Would this prove an important factor?
The first 10 minutes were low scoring, both teams jabbing and moving but neither committing to the big blows. There was a lot of space and as the two medium weights danced around the playing arena it was an unlikely source with landed the first telling blow. On his 50th appearance in the blue Rascle ventured into un-chartered territory and out of nowhere squeezed an effort through the defences to put the Rangers 1-0 up on the night. The Gladbach defence seemed to crumble and probably should have stood up tall.
Monkhouse did land a blow of their own but were always chasing the game and were on the ropes consistently after Mini waltzed through the defence and scored despite the best efforts of Stripy to use underhand tactics to bring him to his knees. The first round ended with out any more significant moments. Certainly no other goals were scored and despite only leading by one, Rangers knew their chances would come as Monkhouse tired with no subs.
The second half did pan out this way, and Monkhouse swapping goalkeeper did aid the Rangers. Big Pete was still searching in vein for his 100th goal for the Rangers, but was thwarted at every opportunity. When it seemed like he had manoeuvred himself into a scoring position the block came in, or the Monkhouse defence stood firm. Piggy tried it all….dodge…duck…weave…but it just wasn’t happening. On the other hand Mini was finding it easier to score. After fluffing an attempted pass to Shiz the ball fell kindly to him again and he scored from a tight angle to give Rangers a 3-1 led.
Pie was suffering the same fate in front of goal as Big Pete and after squandering a one on one in the first half was doing all he could to add to his 6 goals for the season. Some wayward blows were thrown; the closest effort glancing of a post after the initial effort had been parried.
Ranger’s next goal came courtesy of a dubious penalty decision when their keeper was adjudged to have left the area. After Lifey, Big Pete and Shiz contrived to miss their last 3 pens, Mini took on the responsibility this time after Big Pete shunned the opportunity. It was coolly slotted home to open the gap further. Rangers did concede one more in the game. A long range effort deceived Mr T who was opting to go continental and punch many of the efforts on goal. This often threw the defence into panic but fortunately Monkhouse didn’t capitalise on the rebounds.
Big Pete still eager for the goal was creating so many chances it was amazing. They all fell by the wayside though. After some good work and a save by the keeper from another effort Shiz was there to force home the rebound for his 3rd of the season and 25th in total. Pie who is hoping to make double figures for the first time in his career this season will have to go some in the next two games as it requires 4 more goals.
With the game drawing to a close it seemed that Big Pete would have to wait another game for that elusive 100th goal. With time ebbing away he gathered the ball and with all the power he could muster burst through the defence and lashed the ball high into the roof of the net. The release of pressure was evident and the goal well deserved for what capped a thoroughly decent game for the big striker. His work done, Big Pete could sub off to watch the remaining 2 minutes, pumping his fists in delight.
There was a sense that Nev could also nick a goal as the gaps opened up toward the final whistle. After doing the defensive work well he pushed up more but the shots didn’t carry the usual accuracy he can find from distance. A couple troubled the keeper but Nev will remains on just the one goal. He and Rascle have formed a decent partnership and both will be hot contenders for the awards at the end of the season.
With Pie now resigned to not scoring he was still involved in the last move of the game. Exchanging a quick one two with Mini, Pie released Mini with a good touch and vision and he was allowed to jab home his 4th of the game to complete a convincing victory. There was no time for the restart and Rangers sealed the win.
Helped by the depleted Monkhouse team Rangers can be satisfied with their performance. The defending was haphazard at times and will be punished against better opposition. The next game is against Omatha and they have been beaten by Rangers before in what have been physical meetings. Hopefully the “Magnificent 7” (copyright pending from Pie) will be available to go again.
Final Score – Bramhall Rangers 7 Monkhouse Gladbach 2
Goals - Mini (4), Rascle (1), Shiz (1), Big Pete (1)
Nev goal watch - 38
A turbulent season is drawing to a close for the Rangers. Consistency has been lacking, yet there has been promise shown in a fair number of bouts. After a couple of inconsistent performances in the last two clashes, Rangers went into this Thursdays meet with the “Magnificent 7” (copyright pending by Pie). The household names do not need mentioning but for the sake of the report they were Mr T in the sticks, Nev and Rascle doing the defensive blocking, Pie and Shiz the combinations, and Big Pete and a returning Mini looking for the finishing blows.
In their last meeting the blues had narrowly been beaten by Monkhouse Gladbach by 8-6. Mini had suffered a bloodied nose and Lifey had been in the squad. Gladbach were at a disadvantage from the off with no substitutes but started the contest with the advantage of having the sun right in Mr T’s eye line. Would this prove an important factor?
The first 10 minutes were low scoring, both teams jabbing and moving but neither committing to the big blows. There was a lot of space and as the two medium weights danced around the playing arena it was an unlikely source with landed the first telling blow. On his 50th appearance in the blue Rascle ventured into un-chartered territory and out of nowhere squeezed an effort through the defences to put the Rangers 1-0 up on the night. The Gladbach defence seemed to crumble and probably should have stood up tall.
Monkhouse did land a blow of their own but were always chasing the game and were on the ropes consistently after Mini waltzed through the defence and scored despite the best efforts of Stripy to use underhand tactics to bring him to his knees. The first round ended with out any more significant moments. Certainly no other goals were scored and despite only leading by one, Rangers knew their chances would come as Monkhouse tired with no subs.
The second half did pan out this way, and Monkhouse swapping goalkeeper did aid the Rangers. Big Pete was still searching in vein for his 100th goal for the Rangers, but was thwarted at every opportunity. When it seemed like he had manoeuvred himself into a scoring position the block came in, or the Monkhouse defence stood firm. Piggy tried it all….dodge…duck…weave…but it just wasn’t happening. On the other hand Mini was finding it easier to score. After fluffing an attempted pass to Shiz the ball fell kindly to him again and he scored from a tight angle to give Rangers a 3-1 led.
Pie was suffering the same fate in front of goal as Big Pete and after squandering a one on one in the first half was doing all he could to add to his 6 goals for the season. Some wayward blows were thrown; the closest effort glancing of a post after the initial effort had been parried.
Ranger’s next goal came courtesy of a dubious penalty decision when their keeper was adjudged to have left the area. After Lifey, Big Pete and Shiz contrived to miss their last 3 pens, Mini took on the responsibility this time after Big Pete shunned the opportunity. It was coolly slotted home to open the gap further. Rangers did concede one more in the game. A long range effort deceived Mr T who was opting to go continental and punch many of the efforts on goal. This often threw the defence into panic but fortunately Monkhouse didn’t capitalise on the rebounds.
Big Pete still eager for the goal was creating so many chances it was amazing. They all fell by the wayside though. After some good work and a save by the keeper from another effort Shiz was there to force home the rebound for his 3rd of the season and 25th in total. Pie who is hoping to make double figures for the first time in his career this season will have to go some in the next two games as it requires 4 more goals.
With the game drawing to a close it seemed that Big Pete would have to wait another game for that elusive 100th goal. With time ebbing away he gathered the ball and with all the power he could muster burst through the defence and lashed the ball high into the roof of the net. The release of pressure was evident and the goal well deserved for what capped a thoroughly decent game for the big striker. His work done, Big Pete could sub off to watch the remaining 2 minutes, pumping his fists in delight.
There was a sense that Nev could also nick a goal as the gaps opened up toward the final whistle. After doing the defensive work well he pushed up more but the shots didn’t carry the usual accuracy he can find from distance. A couple troubled the keeper but Nev will remains on just the one goal. He and Rascle have formed a decent partnership and both will be hot contenders for the awards at the end of the season.
With Pie now resigned to not scoring he was still involved in the last move of the game. Exchanging a quick one two with Mini, Pie released Mini with a good touch and vision and he was allowed to jab home his 4th of the game to complete a convincing victory. There was no time for the restart and Rangers sealed the win.
Helped by the depleted Monkhouse team Rangers can be satisfied with their performance. The defending was haphazard at times and will be punished against better opposition. The next game is against Omatha and they have been beaten by Rangers before in what have been physical meetings. Hopefully the “Magnificent 7” (copyright pending from Pie) will be available to go again.
Final Score – Bramhall Rangers 7 Monkhouse Gladbach 2
Goals - Mini (4), Rascle (1), Shiz (1), Big Pete (1)
Nev goal watch - 38
posted by Mini at 10:22 am
4 Comments:
Its not the "magnificent 7", although thats a good enough title! My phrase was the 7 Muskateers! :)
Anyway well pleased with the performance. The defending at times got a little slack, but i think that was more to do with the space afforded to people in attack and the fact everyone wanted to get goals. I said this last night, but against better oppostion i don't think (or maybe that should be i would hope) we wouldn't commit as much forward.
Good performances again from Russ and Nev in defence, Russ in particular could have had a sack full of goals!
But Man of the game for me was the Pigman. Played really well, started using his weight in challenges and was really putting himself about the pitch breaking up plays and creating chances....
In some respects it was almost like a practice match - there was some good stringing together of passes and nice one-two's. Good determination in winning the ball from their forwards and setting up goals rather than clearing it etc. I know some of my handling of the ball was a bit continental/queer at times, I partly blame my child sized gloves!
Good game last night, and we needed the victory badly! The real test will come next week against Omatha though. Marking & tracking will have to be on top form in this game, and determination will have to be 110%, because there's no question that Terry Henry's will be!
On the subject of John's comments about people staying up front. It's probably the hardest thing to get right in 5-a-side, but against better teams, to many people forward can mean all that hard work in getting the goals is wasted when you concede a hat full at the other end. It's this balance between defence and attack that is the key, and one where people have to be selfless and put the team ahead of the personal glory of trying to get a goal. I feel fitness is the deciding factor here in allowing 3 players to participate in both attack & defence providing they can keep a high tempo up for the duration they are on the pitch.
Good to see your hard work is paying off Russ on the fitness front, you can see the difference with your performances over the last few weeks.
I second all those comments (especially the child size gloves!).
Russ's fitness has been a big bonus and defensively didnt look like being beaten at all last night. Good to see that a little bit of effort goes a long way!
I think we have the ability to beat Omatha and I will be working on my fitness this week as as expected after 2 weeks off it has dipped a bit!
Up them in the ear!
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