Bramhall Rangers 8 Omatha 12
Hedderz and Russ made welcome returns for a game against Omatha, as Mr T started his sabbatical from the Rangers and Shiz was unavailable. Belly also returned in the sticks, along with the remaining regulars Pie, Mini, Piggy and Nev.
The first half was fairly even, we perhaps just shaded it in my opinion, and went in 5-4 up at half time. Mini with 4 well taken goals and a penalty from Hedderz on his return. There was even a moment when we thought the unthinkable had happened – a quick free kick was taken by Mini, feeding Nev who slotted the ball home. Was this the moment when the 49-game goal watch would be broken? Just as scenes of jubilation were about to start, there was a whistle. Disallowed! Mini had taken the free kick from the wrong place. Getting the ball back again, he looked for a new option. There was Nev free again, so Mini slipped the ball through to him, again. This time though Nev wasn’t to be in luck, an air shot later and he was still chasing the goal that would break his long goalless duck.
Overall we were playing alright, and started the second half with renewed optimism. This lasted all of approximately 5 seconds, when we gave the ball away from kick off and Omatha scored. This was quickly followed up by another from Omatha, and we were on the back foot. The Rangers never really got going in the second half, and some poor defending meant, whilst Omatha never really pulled away, we were always chasing them.
Peter grabbed a goal, Pie also got one after another quick free kick from Mini, and Mini picked up the his 5th of the game.
But it was the poor second half that lost this game for the Rangers that really was there for the taking.
Final Score - Bramhall Rangers 8 Omatha 12
Goals - Mini (5), Pie (1), Peter (1), Hedderz (1)
Nev goal watch - 50
The first half was fairly even, we perhaps just shaded it in my opinion, and went in 5-4 up at half time. Mini with 4 well taken goals and a penalty from Hedderz on his return. There was even a moment when we thought the unthinkable had happened – a quick free kick was taken by Mini, feeding Nev who slotted the ball home. Was this the moment when the 49-game goal watch would be broken? Just as scenes of jubilation were about to start, there was a whistle. Disallowed! Mini had taken the free kick from the wrong place. Getting the ball back again, he looked for a new option. There was Nev free again, so Mini slipped the ball through to him, again. This time though Nev wasn’t to be in luck, an air shot later and he was still chasing the goal that would break his long goalless duck.
Overall we were playing alright, and started the second half with renewed optimism. This lasted all of approximately 5 seconds, when we gave the ball away from kick off and Omatha scored. This was quickly followed up by another from Omatha, and we were on the back foot. The Rangers never really got going in the second half, and some poor defending meant, whilst Omatha never really pulled away, we were always chasing them.
Peter grabbed a goal, Pie also got one after another quick free kick from Mini, and Mini picked up the his 5th of the game.
But it was the poor second half that lost this game for the Rangers that really was there for the taking.
Final Score - Bramhall Rangers 8 Omatha 12
Goals - Mini (5), Pie (1), Peter (1), Hedderz (1)
Nev goal watch - 50
posted by Pie at 11:16 am
9 Comments:
Only one game to go, and still all to play for. Wooden spoon will be decided on the game v Cheadle Utd so we need to make sure it isnt us. No complacency this week please gents!
I decided to leave my actual comments on the game until some time had passed. Straight afterwards I’ll be honest I was very angry that it was another game which we could and perhaps should have won, only to throw it away.
Unfortunately again, while in the second half we perhaps all didn’t play too our best, I would say the main culprit was Big Pete. At least 4 of Omatha’s goals came from his mistakes (4 goals that would have made a difference to the result), namely attempting to dribble out of the defence again. This causes two main problems – firstly it was directly responsible for Omatha scoring goals against us, as well as having other chances as a result. Secondly the confidence of the team drops dramatically once he starts (for want of a better word) dicking around with the ball on the edge of the area, which causes the whole team’s performance to drop.
Pete – it’s been 4 years now we have been playing 5-a-side. It’s been discussed with you on numerous occasions. Even after the first time you did it on Thursday I had a quick word with you to ask you not to do it, but you obviously didn’t take any notice. As has been mentioned by both Shiz and Mini in the past, it shows a huge amount of disrespect to us that you don’t take advice on board and listen to your team mates.
For the sake of the team I ask one thing. For the sake of team confidence and morale I think its probably best if you sit out of a couple of games, Pete. Especially this week, when we will have Shiz back, and Justin and Russ playing again.
As for everyone else, well I thought Russ and Justin both did ok, considering it was their first games in a while. However something for Russ, which I think other people mentioned – when you are defending against someone, try to show them down the outside, down the boards. That way it’s harder for them to have a shooting opportunity.
Nev was his usual solid self, and Belly stopped so many one-on-ones it was scary! Though one or two shots seemed to just go straight through him! Still he saves way more than he lets in.
As for myself, well I am not keeping myself immune from criticism. In the first half I kept getting caught out as I wasn’t sure where to play – most of this season I have played further forward, however with Justin, Mini and Big Pete in the team, and no Shiz, I should have held back a little more. This meant, especially in the first team I was pushing forward more than I should have. I tried to stop doing this so much in the second, but its something to work on for the future.
Is that roast Pork I smell? Or is it "just a little bit of history repeating"? How about a team bonding trip to see Deja Vu at the cinema?
My personal thoughts are that whilst it would be nice to drop the selfish g!t for a match or two, that's not the founding ethos of the team, and so if he wants to play this week, then I vote he can.
Pigman - don't think that by this your actions have no consequence, as they do. You are slowly chipping away at the team spirit (and at your friends) with these displays of selfishness (not just confined to football I might add). The team only play for enjoyment, and this is slowly being sucked out of people. When each individual no longer gets any enjoyment, they will simply stop playing one by one. I know my enjoyment has gone down in the last couple of seasons.
Fair comment Shiz RE: the original ethos of the team.
But surely not listening or respecting your team-mates (and friends) goes against that too? As you say we are mainly in it to play for fun. Its not fun watching Pete throw away games to to the same mistakes time and time again.
Incidentally I don't think it would matter to Pete if the team did stop. He would just go for a run after all instead...
Lets finish the season in style, have an enjoyable awards which I am thoroughly looking forward to (who gets Coco...I wonder!?!) and start next season fresh.
It looks like we may have 7 or 8 regularly next season if we all stay fit and Justin plays a few more. Also, remember Jim can play earlier KO's if needed.
Maybe something we could inroduce is that everyone should sit out a game at least once or twice in a season even if they are fit and able to play. However they should still come and watch and observe how the team plays without them. This could help them to realise what strengths the team has without them and what they feel they could bring to the team. It would also get the person eager for the next week.
Another note, the person who is not playing shoudl then write the report and constructively criticise the performance and highlight key points and things that happened.
Just a suggrestion, but I know from speaking to people that they are grateful for a week off here and there to regroup, calm down and reasses the situation.
I would be happy to do this.
I don't see the point in these ranting comments at Pete anymore as it never does anything. We should all know that after 4 years.
What annoys me nowadays is the attention people give him, mainly regarding all these comments. He probably loves it and I'm tired of wasting time and energy talking about him.
Hello, I'm rascle. First time poster, long time reader.
You wanted an objective view from someone who hasnt played in a while. While, i think that makes me and Justin most qualified for this. For my 0.02c I think the team as a whole did better than i had expected. Thats not to say it was great! just better than i thought. Conceeding 12 was better than i had imagined!
I can take on board the critisism tabled at me about marking my man. I will accept that having been out many weeks, i was out of practice and didnt quite position myself correctly to push him down the wings. Although in my defence i was also staying VERY tight with people i marked. my footwork wasnt bad, i wasnt getting turned often, and i was tracking, albeit not towards the outside of the pitch. As a defensive unit of me, Nev, and Belly we performed well. Good communication, reading each others play, and good blocking/saves.
Attacking wise i was trying to run the wings at times, as was nev. We were happy leaving john and justin to do it most of the time, but lets face it none of us have the fitness of shiz. And John often looked tired. Electing not to run with players who on at least 2 occasions scored.
My favourite bit being when belly and john were chatting and throwing a bit of chewed gum around and an omatha player shot from his own half and scored without either player moving much. I know John argued that someone wasnt marking the guy that shot, and its true that it wasnt pie's man that shot. But it didnt look too good!
Also from a defensive view point i had suggested that we split the team in 2. Justin, Peter, and mini as strikers. And Me, Nev and John as defensive. And make sure only 1 person from each side of the team was off at one time. The reason for this being that at one point me and nev were both off, and we conceeded 4 in quick succession.
I'm not having a go at the team, i'm just saying that Peter wasnt the only person making mistakes. I know he put us under pressure when he doesnt use the skills he has to get round us in training to get round an omatha player. I'm certainly not as good as he is, nor anyone else on the team. I think the only thing is we put our hearts and souls into the game. I did get tired and slow, but i pushed harder. It meant i had to sub off for longer, but i was really giving it my all.
Its been said by me many many times before. If we wanted to win we'd play seriously and train. We only play once a week, and never train. We cant expect to be a great team. But we do expect to be good, and we've proved we can be. I dont think its right to suggest peter sits out. I think you have to rely on his judgement. If he feels he can improve and play, then we cant tell him not to play. And its not fair to push him out.
As belly has said we've tried everything bar an "intervention" session. Maybe thats what we need! Instead of telling him praise, or slagging him off, we should all be at his house one night with his parents and have an "intervention".
Ah well, last game against cheadle. Lets play for pride. Lets play smart and tight and controlled. None of this "4 up front and belly in goal" that we occasionally do against them! Lets get a good match and Let Peter score a hat trick. Let mini score his usual 7! I can miss a sitter, and we can enjoy the rangers awards. Basically we have 2 weeks before the new season. Lets arrange tactics and desires and play like we want to win. Learn from mistakes. More regular subbing. Ah who are we kidding! we're the Rangers!! Long may we prop up the table!
After all, we'd be bored without a figure of hate in the games, and a weekly blog entry about how we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory!!
Fair enough Russ, and I take all your comments on board. I'll be honest though and haven't noticed me getting tired and not tracking people.
I feel I am one of the first people to come off as I am getting tired, certainly I am better than one or two of our team.
I have this season been trying to concentrate on my attacking. This has meant less concentrating on my man and more concentrating on the ball which has meant that on the odd occasion I have been caught out. Something I am looking at and hopefully improve, and I'll pay attention to people's comments and see if what they say is true. If it is then I will look to change it! Can't say fairer than that...
And as I said in my comments above, I know its not *solely* Pete thats making mistakes. But he is to blame for the large proportion of goals we concede, either directly through his own mistakes, or in-directly through team-mates morale and confidence dropping due to his mistakes.
As people have mentioned above, we are playing this for fun. Not necessarily to win. The question I have to ask is, are we having fun? Because I certainly wasn't last week. And there has been a number of games this last season which haven't been fun, for example the game against Monkhouse Gladbach.
Then we have to ask ourselves, how long do we keep playing, if its not fun and we aren't enjoying ourselves?
Because, as we know from comments just a couple of weeks ago - playing football doesn't matter so much for Pete as he will just go for a run instead. But for some people like me, I really enjoy playing football, and wouldn't want to stop. But if its not enjoyable, and I'm paying £5 a week for the pleasure of getting royally hacked off, then I wouldn't just continue...
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