Bramhall Rangers 5 Not A Clue 9
“Sometime when the team is up against it and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go out there with all they got and win just one…” - Knute Rockne (Pat O'Brien) in Knute Rockne: All-American (1940)
In the week that there was talk of this season being the Rangers last, there was a game against Not A Clue. These had replaced Eat My Goal who the Rangers had dispatched as part of their 4-game winning streak in the first half of the season.
It was all change again for the Rangers, as Pie, Shiz and Lifey returned to the Rangers team at the expense of Hedderz and his two ringers Chris and Phil. Belch, who is running (and walking) the Manchester 10k run on Sunday, decided to sit out and watch the game from the comfort of the sidelines along with regular number 1 fan Charlotte and Big Pete, who was still nursing his skipping injury. Jim took over the goalkeeper’s jersey, and Mini and Nev made up the other players.
The first half was tough battle – the Rangers regularly found themselves on the back foot and yet defended steadfastly. NAC were a good team, quite quick in both attack and defence, though not the most organised. Somehow the Rangers found themselves 2-0 up with goals from Mini and Lifey, before Pie took a ball to the face to send him reeling. While he subbed off to regain some of his composure, Rangers continued to attack when they could, Nev coming close to scoring his second in two games when Lifey slid him in, unfortunately he just delayed his shot a little to long and sent it the wrong side of the post. Pie returned to the action, and was immediately involved as a sharp one-two with Lifey left the Rangers number 5 with a chance to finish, which he took to register 11 goals for the season, and put the Rangers 3-0 up.
Despite the scoreline the Rangers weren’t having it all their own way. Shiz and Nev in particular were doing their usual brilliant defensive performances making last gasp tackles, and Jim was having a game even Belch would have been proud of. Some stunning saves denying the NAC players. As the first half wore on it was looking like Ranger would keep NAC at bay, until mistake from Jim let a fairly soft shot from a tight angle squirm between his legs. It was unfortunate for the Rangers keeper, however the Rangers hit back fairly quickly through Mini to restore the 3 goal lead.
4-1 to the Rangers at half-time mainly secured due to the heroic defending and goalkeeping. Would the second half follow the same pattern?
The answer is no! NAC found themselves a couple of extra gears and a hell of a lot of pace in the second half and proceeded to rip the Rangers apart. This, coupled with diminishing fitness levels, meant the Rangers were never really in the game in the second half. Lifey did notch his second and the Rangers fifth with a nice bit of footwork and good finish from a tight angle, but it was nothing more than a mere consolation.
Still the Rangers can look back on a good defensive performance in the first half, Jim played excellently in net and at times we played some good football. There was perhaps a reliance to play a more difficult pass at times, and the lack of the second sub perhaps hurt us too.
The future of the Rangers is still up for debate, but this season still has potential. A good performance next week against Cheadle could see things pick up again.
Don’t forget this Season’s Awards (and perhaps the last ever awards ceremony) on Friday 15th June. I am planning on having the meal at Frankie & Benny’s in Stockport, moving onto the Crown (I think its called) and the Railway for beverages after.
Final Score: Bramhall Rangers 5 Not A Clue 9
Goals: Mini (2), Lifey (2), Pie (1)
In the week that there was talk of this season being the Rangers last, there was a game against Not A Clue. These had replaced Eat My Goal who the Rangers had dispatched as part of their 4-game winning streak in the first half of the season.
It was all change again for the Rangers, as Pie, Shiz and Lifey returned to the Rangers team at the expense of Hedderz and his two ringers Chris and Phil. Belch, who is running (and walking) the Manchester 10k run on Sunday, decided to sit out and watch the game from the comfort of the sidelines along with regular number 1 fan Charlotte and Big Pete, who was still nursing his skipping injury. Jim took over the goalkeeper’s jersey, and Mini and Nev made up the other players.
The first half was tough battle – the Rangers regularly found themselves on the back foot and yet defended steadfastly. NAC were a good team, quite quick in both attack and defence, though not the most organised. Somehow the Rangers found themselves 2-0 up with goals from Mini and Lifey, before Pie took a ball to the face to send him reeling. While he subbed off to regain some of his composure, Rangers continued to attack when they could, Nev coming close to scoring his second in two games when Lifey slid him in, unfortunately he just delayed his shot a little to long and sent it the wrong side of the post. Pie returned to the action, and was immediately involved as a sharp one-two with Lifey left the Rangers number 5 with a chance to finish, which he took to register 11 goals for the season, and put the Rangers 3-0 up.
Despite the scoreline the Rangers weren’t having it all their own way. Shiz and Nev in particular were doing their usual brilliant defensive performances making last gasp tackles, and Jim was having a game even Belch would have been proud of. Some stunning saves denying the NAC players. As the first half wore on it was looking like Ranger would keep NAC at bay, until mistake from Jim let a fairly soft shot from a tight angle squirm between his legs. It was unfortunate for the Rangers keeper, however the Rangers hit back fairly quickly through Mini to restore the 3 goal lead.
4-1 to the Rangers at half-time mainly secured due to the heroic defending and goalkeeping. Would the second half follow the same pattern?
The answer is no! NAC found themselves a couple of extra gears and a hell of a lot of pace in the second half and proceeded to rip the Rangers apart. This, coupled with diminishing fitness levels, meant the Rangers were never really in the game in the second half. Lifey did notch his second and the Rangers fifth with a nice bit of footwork and good finish from a tight angle, but it was nothing more than a mere consolation.
Still the Rangers can look back on a good defensive performance in the first half, Jim played excellently in net and at times we played some good football. There was perhaps a reliance to play a more difficult pass at times, and the lack of the second sub perhaps hurt us too.
The future of the Rangers is still up for debate, but this season still has potential. A good performance next week against Cheadle could see things pick up again.
Don’t forget this Season’s Awards (and perhaps the last ever awards ceremony) on Friday 15th June. I am planning on having the meal at Frankie & Benny’s in Stockport, moving onto the Crown (I think its called) and the Railway for beverages after.
Final Score: Bramhall Rangers 5 Not A Clue 9
Goals: Mini (2), Lifey (2), Pie (1)
posted by Pie at 10:50 am
2 Comments:
Nice report.
A good game to play in by all accounts and we really put the wind up them in the first half. Iwas one of the best halves we have played for some time I think.
I think they could count themselves unlucky to be 4-1 down at half time, but we played well on the break.
Great report, but I really think people should make more use of Rocky quotes at the beginning of the match report :)
I enjoyed last nights match too. It really was that old chesnut of a saying though ... a game of two halves!
Jim was a revelation in net, I never expect much when we have someone other than Belch in net, but Jim was a worthy replacement.
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