“
In 1999 Jose Luis Chilavert became the first goalkeeper to score a hat-trick in the history of the game (for Velez Sarsfield against Ferro Carril Oeste). But in today's game players like Chilavert are the exception rather than the rule.” –
www.goalkeepersaredifferent.comA great display of finishing by Mini won’t be what this game will be remembered for. Despite putting Cheadle United Thursday to the sword 7 well taken goals, the game will be remembered more for one moment of history by Belly in the last 10 minutes.
The Rangers lined up looking for their first win of the Autumn 2006 season. They were perhaps expecting it in the game tonight, however they weren’t resting on their laurels as CUT had taken a surprising 3 points from Buxton Robins earlier in the season. Belly started the game in nets, with Pie, Mini, Piggy, Shiz, Nev and Fist outfield. It was hoped that with the early kick off Hedderz would be able to make a rare appearance, but a chest infection unfortunately took him out. Rascle was also still missing, with a combination of a dodgy back and some DIY keeping him away.
Games between the Rangers and CUT always seem to start slowly. The Rangers made much of the early running but couldn’t get off the mark until Mini picked up the ball on the edge of the CUT area and slotted home the first of many he would claim during the game.The Rangers were having the majority of the play, with the CUT keeper making some excellent reaction saves to keep the score down. At the other end, Belly was keeping the CUT strikers out. During the first half Mini claimed another 3 goals, though unfortunately I can’t remember exactly what happened for them, and also smashed a shot against the post!
At half time the score was 4-0 to the Rangers boys, and they could be pleased with their first half performance, though disappointed they hadn’t been more clinical.
The pre-match game plan was for Belly to swap with Fist at half time, and play a half outfield. However Belly, ever the team player, wanted the Rangers to get a little more daylight between themselves and CUT, so opted to stay in net. His moment was to come though.
The second half started, and fairly quickly from the restart CUT grabbed a goal, Pie not tracking his man quick enough. However the Rangers responded quickly with Mini grabbing another goal, this one cheekily chipped over the grounded keeper. Shortly after he picked the ball up on the edge of his own area, dribbled the length of the pitch past a couple of challenges, and into a one-on-one situation with the CUT goal keeper. He shaped to shoot, only to drag the ball across the face of the area to the waiting Pie, who calmly dispatched past the wrong footed keeper.
Another couple of CUT goals came, as well as another for Pie who managed to squeeze a shot through the keepers legs with his left foot. Mini also grabbed two more to take his total to 7 for the night, both goals well worked 1-2s with Shiz, with Shiz’s pass off the boards inch perfect for Mini to slot the ball home. Teamwork at its best!
Nev was his usual solid self at the back, not venturing forward as much as some games and never really threatened to break his goal duck which now stands at an incredible 44 games without a goal. Fist got stronger as the game wore on, and even had a chance to break his goal duck with a half-chance near the end, but couldn’t guide the ball past the keeper. Shiz was excellent, covering every inch of the pitch and working up and down the line well, unlucky not to get a goal. CUT got their final goal back, Pie again failing to track his man. Something to work on there...
Then with 10 minutes to go came the switch everyone was waiting for. Mini took over the keeper gloves, allowing Belch to finally get outfield. Immediately into the action, CUT seemed unable to cope with his quick feet. Moments after he had a chance palmed away by the keeper, he collected the ball from a Mini throw out, waited for it to roll into his path, and slotted it in the corner! Jubilation all around, as Belly scored his first goal as a Rangers player at Powerleague, and showing Fist and Nev how to do it! He quickly subbed off to take the adulation from the solitary Rangers supporter, Charlotte again making the trip to support the boys. More was to come from Belly however when, with only a few minutes remaining and back on the pitch, he skipped past a challenge to slip Piggy in, who finally managed to stick the ball in the CUT goal. It was welcome delight for the big man, who had battled all game and been denied on numerous occasions but the CUT goalkeeper. He was so sure it was going to be one of those games where nothing would go in, that he had to check to make sure the ball had gone in!
All in all a decent game from the Rangers, finally getting three points.
Good to see Belly get a run out, causing problems for the opposition and getting a goal and an assit too!
Final score: Rangers 11 Cheadle United Thursday 4Scorers: Mini (7), Pie (2), Piggy (1), Belly (1)
Nev goal watch: 44 games
Fist goal watch: 6 games (approximate - outfield only)
