Bramhall Rangers 11 Northern Canaries 10
“If we did not take action to solve this crisis, it could indeed threaten the future of human civilization. That sounds shrill. It sounds hard to accept. I believe it's deadly accurate. But again, we can solve it.” – Al Gore, talking recently about some poor defending by the Rangers…or global warming? It was one or the other anyway!
In the last 20 years this great planet has suffered at the hands of man. We have seen the demise of many great species such as the Baiji of the Yangtze River Dolphin, the Western black rhino, the Pyrenean Ibex, the Southern Gastric-brooding Frog and the Miss Waldron's Red Colobus Monkey. Wonderful beings I’m sure you will all agree. This week however, the latest of God’s creatures was laid to rest by the marauding Bramhall Rangers. The lesser spotted Northern Canaries (Latin name - speccius foureyesius) were finally laid to rest.
After last week’s successful destruction of Eat My Goal, (Latin name – chompuis goalius) confidence was higher than Al Gore in a cherry picker. The prime suspects were Peter “The De-Forrester”, Belly “The Bio-Hazard”, Pie “Falling debris in this area”, Shiz “The Eco-warrior”, Mini “The Methane Madman” and Nev “Say No to Nuclear” (Guy’s I’m scraping the barrel with this one, go with it though, it might get better!)
The whole charade started very well for the Ranger's, racing into a lead that really rattled the Canaries. They say that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but since grassy areas are becoming rarer in the ever expanding concrete metropolis, this artificial stuff was certainly aiding the Rangers. Some sloppy defending allowed Mini to notch two goals, quicker than you can melt the polar ice caps! The Canaries were blaming the pitch, each other but not taking responsibility! They thought it was the fault of the damn Chinese! Take responsibility boys, buy energy saving light bulbs!
Peter, who’s finishing on a whole was more clinical than de-forestation of the Amazonian rainforest, was on fire. His shots were rattled off quickly and with more power than is needed to run a family sized home in Cheshire. It was a wonderful sight!
After such a great start the Canaries were bound to fight back, and did so more because of defending more lax than the American adherence to the Kyoto Protocol. Belly was doing well to repel some efforts but a few crept in. One just before half time, after Mini hadn’t kept up with his man, was unlucky. Diving to his right the ball ricocheted off the post to hit Belly on the back and nestle in the corner.
During the half here had been a running battle between the Canary called East and Mini, both going in strong in the challenge. Mini had been guilty of some illegal sliding tackles, which led to a warning from the referee. “One more and you’ll be sin-binned” was the threat. Luckily, Mini reeled in the slides and avoided such a punishment.
Nev was strong at the back as usual and was unlucky with a long range effort that drifted wide of the post a little more bend and it would have nestled neatly in the net, like a Dolphin caught by a fisherman. Pie was getting in amongst it and somehow managed to leave two Canaries with injuries whilst picking up a blow to his shoulder. A coming together by the boards and a twisted ankle for the keeper were the result of some strong running. There were more bruised and battered bodies than on a baby seal clubbing meet in Newfoundland!
The whistle for half time went and the Rangers were in the lead by 7-4 (IIRC). Whilst Rangers had started well they did ebb away and were probably grateful for the break. The brief rallying call had the desired effect. Rangers were out of the blocks quicker than a tsunami ripping through Asia. Two goals were scored in very quick succession, Peter scoring well after an effort was blocked, and then one of the goals of the game. Pie found Mini with a pass to feet, forced wide towards the side boards, Pie made a darting run behind Mini holding off the defender. With a back heel more delightful than a hot British summer, Pie was through on goal. Still with work to do he held off the defender to fire home. It provided a cushion as valuable as all the oil in central Asia! Had George W. bush been there, he may well have sent in troops to tap into the well of quality!
After this, chances for the Rangers were few and far between. The Canaries started to work their way back into the game and grabbed a couple more goals after yet more defending so poor it could have been straight out o the US Armed forces handbook on friendly fire. Peter’s reluctance to pass back to the keeper or burst forward let to indecision in defence.
However, in attack Peter was still proving a force, pressure on the defence forcing a mix up by the keeper who fell out of the area clutching the ball. An obvious advantage was gained as Peter and Shiz were ready to pounce and Mini was on the edge of the area. Demonstrations from the Canaries were reminiscent of the May Day riots! Despite seemingly wanting a run up longer than the Stern Report on Global Warming, Peter was reeled in for the one-stepper! He dispatched it with all the confidence of a Japanese whaler nailing a humpback!
With the game evenly balanced Rangers had to defend doggedly, as the Canaries were patient in their build up. A heart stopping moment was thankfully ruled in the Ranger’s favour as a goal was disallowed for encroachment into the area. Belly also made a good save, deflecting the ball with his legs. But, being out of position with the goal gaping it seemed like the Canary must score from only yards out. However, they hadn’t banked on the tenacity of Nev who executed one of the best block tackles you will ever be likely to see. He made up so much ground, was fair in the challenge and made sure the points were going to the Rangers. It was determination not seen since Swampy holed up in a tunnel at Manchester Airport for a week!
The final whistle was what finished the Canaries fight back. They had come close, closer than the Rangers would have hoped, but ultimately it was the Rangers sprightly KO’s in both halves that won the game, and some last ditch defending towards the end.
Two wins on the bounce is a welcome change for the Rangers, who were enjoying a reasonably successful season despite only being 2nd bottom. Still, it’s the little things that count and a lot of little things lead to big changes. Take care of yourselves and each other…
Final score – Bramhall Rangers 11 Northern Canaries 10
Goals – Peter (5), Mini (4), Pie (2)
Peter suicide dance - 2
In the last 20 years this great planet has suffered at the hands of man. We have seen the demise of many great species such as the Baiji of the Yangtze River Dolphin, the Western black rhino, the Pyrenean Ibex, the Southern Gastric-brooding Frog and the Miss Waldron's Red Colobus Monkey. Wonderful beings I’m sure you will all agree. This week however, the latest of God’s creatures was laid to rest by the marauding Bramhall Rangers. The lesser spotted Northern Canaries (Latin name - speccius foureyesius) were finally laid to rest.
After last week’s successful destruction of Eat My Goal, (Latin name – chompuis goalius) confidence was higher than Al Gore in a cherry picker. The prime suspects were Peter “The De-Forrester”, Belly “The Bio-Hazard”, Pie “Falling debris in this area”, Shiz “The Eco-warrior”, Mini “The Methane Madman” and Nev “Say No to Nuclear” (Guy’s I’m scraping the barrel with this one, go with it though, it might get better!)
The whole charade started very well for the Ranger's, racing into a lead that really rattled the Canaries. They say that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but since grassy areas are becoming rarer in the ever expanding concrete metropolis, this artificial stuff was certainly aiding the Rangers. Some sloppy defending allowed Mini to notch two goals, quicker than you can melt the polar ice caps! The Canaries were blaming the pitch, each other but not taking responsibility! They thought it was the fault of the damn Chinese! Take responsibility boys, buy energy saving light bulbs!
Peter, who’s finishing on a whole was more clinical than de-forestation of the Amazonian rainforest, was on fire. His shots were rattled off quickly and with more power than is needed to run a family sized home in Cheshire. It was a wonderful sight!
After such a great start the Canaries were bound to fight back, and did so more because of defending more lax than the American adherence to the Kyoto Protocol. Belly was doing well to repel some efforts but a few crept in. One just before half time, after Mini hadn’t kept up with his man, was unlucky. Diving to his right the ball ricocheted off the post to hit Belly on the back and nestle in the corner.
During the half here had been a running battle between the Canary called East and Mini, both going in strong in the challenge. Mini had been guilty of some illegal sliding tackles, which led to a warning from the referee. “One more and you’ll be sin-binned” was the threat. Luckily, Mini reeled in the slides and avoided such a punishment.
Nev was strong at the back as usual and was unlucky with a long range effort that drifted wide of the post a little more bend and it would have nestled neatly in the net, like a Dolphin caught by a fisherman. Pie was getting in amongst it and somehow managed to leave two Canaries with injuries whilst picking up a blow to his shoulder. A coming together by the boards and a twisted ankle for the keeper were the result of some strong running. There were more bruised and battered bodies than on a baby seal clubbing meet in Newfoundland!
The whistle for half time went and the Rangers were in the lead by 7-4 (IIRC). Whilst Rangers had started well they did ebb away and were probably grateful for the break. The brief rallying call had the desired effect. Rangers were out of the blocks quicker than a tsunami ripping through Asia. Two goals were scored in very quick succession, Peter scoring well after an effort was blocked, and then one of the goals of the game. Pie found Mini with a pass to feet, forced wide towards the side boards, Pie made a darting run behind Mini holding off the defender. With a back heel more delightful than a hot British summer, Pie was through on goal. Still with work to do he held off the defender to fire home. It provided a cushion as valuable as all the oil in central Asia! Had George W. bush been there, he may well have sent in troops to tap into the well of quality!
After this, chances for the Rangers were few and far between. The Canaries started to work their way back into the game and grabbed a couple more goals after yet more defending so poor it could have been straight out o the US Armed forces handbook on friendly fire. Peter’s reluctance to pass back to the keeper or burst forward let to indecision in defence.
However, in attack Peter was still proving a force, pressure on the defence forcing a mix up by the keeper who fell out of the area clutching the ball. An obvious advantage was gained as Peter and Shiz were ready to pounce and Mini was on the edge of the area. Demonstrations from the Canaries were reminiscent of the May Day riots! Despite seemingly wanting a run up longer than the Stern Report on Global Warming, Peter was reeled in for the one-stepper! He dispatched it with all the confidence of a Japanese whaler nailing a humpback!
With the game evenly balanced Rangers had to defend doggedly, as the Canaries were patient in their build up. A heart stopping moment was thankfully ruled in the Ranger’s favour as a goal was disallowed for encroachment into the area. Belly also made a good save, deflecting the ball with his legs. But, being out of position with the goal gaping it seemed like the Canary must score from only yards out. However, they hadn’t banked on the tenacity of Nev who executed one of the best block tackles you will ever be likely to see. He made up so much ground, was fair in the challenge and made sure the points were going to the Rangers. It was determination not seen since Swampy holed up in a tunnel at Manchester Airport for a week!
The final whistle was what finished the Canaries fight back. They had come close, closer than the Rangers would have hoped, but ultimately it was the Rangers sprightly KO’s in both halves that won the game, and some last ditch defending towards the end.
Two wins on the bounce is a welcome change for the Rangers, who were enjoying a reasonably successful season despite only being 2nd bottom. Still, it’s the little things that count and a lot of little things lead to big changes. Take care of yourselves and each other…
Final score – Bramhall Rangers 11 Northern Canaries 10
Goals – Peter (5), Mini (4), Pie (2)
Peter suicide dance - 2
Labels: football
posted by Mini at 10:43 am
5 Comments:
The Northern Faries proved very resilient. It was great to get a win, and a welcome change to the result when we play them.
I think one thing to consider when we establish a several goal lead is to look at calming it down a little, making easy passes and holding onto the ball longer. We do have this burning desire when we get the ball to be down the opponents end within 3 seconds and have a shot... which generally means we're back on the defensive about 10 seconds after we've won the ball. Just a thought anyway
My shoulder really hurts today. :(
Otherwise I agree with Shiz, we need to calm the play down a bit. A couple of times in the second half I took free kicks back to Belly, partly because it was difficult to pass the ball forward, but mainly because it ate up a few more seconds and made it easier to start an attack again. Sometimes its better to take a step back to take two forwards...
Good report to Mini, an enjoyable break from the Friday grind!
It was great to watch some of the link up play.
Good game lads, some nice passes setting up some great goals.
A couple of mishaps when marking but some brilliant tracking back to defence and overall I think everyone had a good game.
Ta for the report Mini.
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