The new season started off in brilliant sunshine, great for us spectators but perhaps a bit on the warm side for the lads running up and down the field…
A host of new players took to the field with just a sprinkling of ‘old’ familiar ones… The early pressure belonged to Whickham and following a massive punt up-field which caught out our defence Steve Macca in the net had to race out to meet it. Unfortunately his header away was a little weak and went straight back to an onrushing Whickham player. He took a couple of steadying strides, but thankfully in chipping Macca he also chipped the ball over the cross bar. A couple of other shots soon after were easily dealt with by the ‘keeper.
Our first attempt at goal actually came from a Whickham player. Some good build up down the right and a cross into the box was met with a clearing header from the defender, but it looked to be heading for the top corner until the ‘keeper managed to get a hand to it and save the blushes.
Some more Whickham pressure followed and a one on one with the ‘keeper was spurned as he put it wide past the post and then minutes later another great save by Macca kept us in the game.
Our best chance of the half came following a throw in high in the Whickham half, a neat one-two and a run into the box. There was a cross/shot that hit the inside of the post from a tight angle and then rebounded out. Any less of an angle and it would have bounced in… we continued the pressure and forced the ‘keeper to make a great save with his legs after he had only parried the previous shot.
As the half drew to a close Whickham had another chance from long range but again was saved well by the ‘keeper. Macca was called on again as the half drew in and had to save at the feet of the Whickham attacker following a bit of a scramble in our box.
The start of the second half continued much in the same vein with both sides having half chances. However, in the 65th minute, Whickham came down our right, looped a cross into the box and was ‘controlled’ by Fitzpatrick… Unmarked, he was able to pick his shot and guided the ball into the net to make it 1-0. It was harsh and had more than a look of hand ball as he controlled…
It was a body blow and we were tiring. Whickham could sense this and they piled on the pressure. It was almost 2-0 just a minute later following an almighty scramble in the box. Shots rained in from everywhere but were blocked and saved until eventually the ball was blazed over the bar. It was only a matter of time though and following another episode where we just couldn’t clear the ball out of the area, instead of the ball being blazed over it was shot past the keeper to make it 2-0.
The final nail in the coffin was late on (88th minute) and we were down to ten men following one of our substitutes being injured and unable to carry on. We were just hit on the break and were over-run. Four or five Whickham players on to two. The initial shot was saved, but with more backing up it was a simple tap in for the third….
All in all, it could have been worse, but it could have been better. A lot of new lads and a lot of young lads who need to start gelling sooner rather than later. It was obvious we were lacking a bit of fitness and this has got to improve.
Brandon 0-3 Whickham
Brandon 1-1 Northallerton
Not much time to reflect on the game from the weekend and we’re again in league action midweek; much fancied Northallerton Town are our visitors. Only four players from Saturday make the starting line-up tonight and there’s another three players making their debuts. Gone is the summer sunshine and it’s a steady drizzle of rain that greets the players as they come out…
The first ten minutes or so and the players are getting used to the game, but the early chances belong to Brandon. Cameron Rushton crosses into the box but we just can’t get a strong enough toe onto the ball and despite a couple of ‘shots’ the ball’s cleared. A throw in is headed back across goal but is met with a Northallerton head just ahead of a Brandon one. And then Rushton again has a strong run and despite his shot being on target lacks the required strength behind it. But it’s all looking good, we’re challenging for the ball, we’re creating, we’re strong in the challenge and we’re giving them a good run for their money.
We take the lead and score our first goal of the 2016/17season just past the half hour mark. The ball is switched from the centre to the right wing for debutant Wes Maddock to run onto. His first touch is a bit heavy and the ball runs away from him but he’s able to catch it up and get there before the defender and goalie do and he shoots it past the latter into the net.
We’re on top and playing well. Andrew Clarkson uses his strength to intercept a ball and his cross is met with a defensive header that hits the cross bar!!
With the half time whistle five minutes away we lose our concentration. The ball is given away in midfield and a great run forward sees him one on one with Tom Orton in the net. His shot though hits the post. We’re slow to react and the ball is retuned back into the box from one side of the area to the other. An unmarked player controls the ball and spies the empty net. Somehow though Tom Orton has recovered and he dives in the way of the shot, Tony Phillipson booms the rebound out of play. The resulting corner leads to a free header that strikes the post again… What a let off!!!
For some reason we look a different team in the second half. We’ve already been put under some pressure and then in the 56th minute we give away a penalty. We were being ‘over ran’ as it was, but the forward was running away from the box when he was clipped, but it was a penalty and it was duly despatched to make it 1-1.
Northallerton were well on top now and were chancing their arm with some long range shots, but, thankfully, were going wide. A cross in from the right was met with a first time shot as he ran onto the ball and looked to be heading for the net but somehow Tom got a strong hand to the ball and it went over. A free kick towards the end of the game was also blazed over and finally a weak cross shot was ‘allowed’ to go all along the six yard line without anyone from either team getting a foot on it.
We had certainly weathered the storm but it was of our own making. There’s no denying the lads put in a shift and a half on the night and every one of them walked off the pitch knackered, but we allowed them to have far too much say in the second half and, again, our fitness levels showed.
We did have a couple of late half chances ourselves and Jordan Lee might have took a punt at goal on another occasion instead of trying to get closer to goal before doing so last night. At the end though it was a relief when the final whistle blew and we had our first point of the season.
After the drizzle of the Wednesday night game against Northallerton we were back to glorious summertime sunshine at The Welfare for local rivals Durham City. We were buoyed by the performance against Northallerton but as is the case so early in the season, we had players missing through holidays, injury, suspension and some going back to their parent club.
It all made for a very dis-jointed squad and this was evident inside a minute when Durham won a corner and when it wasn’t cleared properly it was hoofed into the net to make it 1-0 to Durham. There was still only 55 seconds on the clock…
Not long after and Durham were attacking down our right and the ball was played through into the box. Rushton was covering the ball and got there first and in doing so was bundled over by the attacking player. Clear foul, only the ref didn’t give it. The ball came loose, was passed to another Durham player who had an easy tap in for 2-0. It was hard to take considering some of the ‘fouls’ the ref had blown for just minutes earlier, Oh, but they were awarded against Brandon.
It didn’t get any better I’m afraid and after half an hour it was three nil. A long ball was punted over to our left side, unfortunately both players that side missed the bounce of the ball and again there was a Durham player to take advantage. He gathered the ball, ran into the box and as Tom Orton came out to meet him, he squared the ball across for another easy tap in and a 3-0 score line. Durham were definitely up for this and we looked lacklustre all over the field. Another chance for them came and went with the ball being squared along the six yard line but no one being able to get there.
We eventually gathered ourselves and forced a corner. After a bit of ‘ping-pong’ in the box Dan Pearson hit a half volley against the post. The rebound spiralled up in the air and was headed over the line by Leigh Guthrie despite the best efforts of the ‘keeper to keep it out.
As the half drew to a close Durham forced a great save from Orton in the nets and the rebound was luckily struck wide when he had an empty net to aim at. We went into the break lucky to be only 3-1 down.
We started the second half brightly enough and Wes Maddock had a shot at goal from the edge of the box that went straight at the ‘keeper and Gourley did likewise just a couple of minutes later.
But after this ‘normal service was resumed’ and Durham started to apply the pressure again. One lad ran from his own half and just kept on going unchallenged and his eventual shot was JUST wide of the upright… They were playing some ‘nice’ football and every now and then banging in shots that were either just wide, just high or at Tom in the nets. But there was loads of chances for them. These finally came to fruition in the 64th minute where following a series of pass and move passes etc… they found their way into the box and basically passed the ball around us and into the net. 4-1 to Durham. From a football perspective it was a great goal to watch. From a Brandon perspective it was the nail in the coffin – I wasn’t the only one with my head down and looking forward to hearing the final whistle…
I sort of lost the will to live after that and my notes only contain two more entries which were shots from Durham that went wide or saved.
All in all not a god ‘derby day’ and one that quite a few will want to forget.
Brandon 1 - 4 Durham City
Right, I’m going to try and condense an eight goal ‘thriller’ into just a page and a half…. Made easier, as it goes, by the lack of notes due to the torrential rain we endured up there.
We’d just come back from a 4-1 away defeat to Darlington and looking to bounce back from a fairly unjust score line against RA. There were even more new faces to the squad and people playing their first game of the season.
The first twenty minutes or so was all Alnwick. As with Durham the week before, they were passing the ball past us, around us, over us and it was effective. As early as the 2nd minute they’d forced Tom Orton into a save low down to his right. Alnwick had also had a succession of corners as every time we attempted to clear it just kept coming back in.
The almost relentless pressure told in the 12th minute following approach play that started with their ‘keeper. He passed it high to our right right, a swift run and cross sent the ball over to our left. There was a neat little interchange of passes before the ball was played back over and a 1st time shot went into the net. We hadn’t touched the ball in the entire process.
We did come back into the game and equalised with a beauty. Anthony Phillipson sent a great cross from a free-kick evading all but Andrew Clarkson at the back post who headed powerfully into the net. However, we almost gave it up again straight away and Tom was forced into another save just after the re-start. It was Alnwick who were also using the conditions better; the wind and rain assisting them with their next goal. Again it came down their right and a hard, low cross was drilled into the box, Dobinson in trying to intercept the ball could only ‘shin it’ into the net.
More Alnwick pressure was compounded by Brandon not being able to clear the box or relieve the pressure by taking it up field. It just kept coming back at us. Again this pressure told and another hard low cross was met with an advancing strike rather than a defensive hoof and we were 3-1 down.
Just as the clock went into injury time, Shane Todd raced up-field on our left, he swept passed a couple of defenders and fired the ball across the box. Again it evaded everyone apart from Clarkson who was at the back post to tap the ball in. Somehow we went into the break only 3-2 down.
We started the second half brightly and Todd had a chance to bring us level when he raced into the box and found himself one on one with the keeper. Unfortunately in trying to lob the advancing ‘keeper he hit the ball straight at him. Clarkson hit a long range free kick just wide. But we almost got caught on the break and Dobinson was almost guilty of another O.G. when his sliced clearance went JUST wide of the post.
Our own pressure finally got some reward and it followed an Alnwick throw in adjacent to their 18 yard line. We managed to nick the ball from them and then Luke Thompson steered the ball into the path of Clarkson who was ‘running through’ defenders and into the box. He took a touch to steady himself before sliding the ball passed the ‘keepers legs and into the net for 3-3. The cries of ‘foul’ and ‘high foot’ from the build were dismissed by the ref.
But there’s a saying in football about being susceptible to conceding a goal soon after scoring yourselves and this came to pass. Our celebrations hadn’t long subsided when there was a long, looping cross from the right and into our 18 yard area. Whether he meant it or not, it was met with the head of the Alnwick player and back across the face of goal and bounced into the net. 4-3 down and heads with it…
We found some resilience though and mounted some late pressure. Again, the clock was just going into injury time when we ourselves had a succession of crosses into the box. One of which was headed clear but as Clarkson went to retrieve it he was crudely blocked from doing so. Penalty. Clarkson himself got up to take it and he sent the ‘keeper the wrong way to score his and our fourth goal of the game.
Brandon have a knack of throwing things away though and in recent times we’ve had more than our share of last minute / last second agony… This time though fortune smiled on us and as Alnwick threw everything but the kitchen sink at us, they had a very good claim for a penalty themselves but thankfully the ref waved away their protests again. The ref was finding time from somewhere and despite Brandon pleas for the final whistle, still the ref played on. Alnwick mounted a couple of more crosses etc… but eventually the ref blew for time and we had a draw and a point
Brandon 1 - 4 Durham City
Brandon 1 - 4 Durham City
Alnwick Town 4 - 4 Brandon United
Alnwick Town 4 - 4 Brandon United
Brandon 1-1 Northallerton
Brandon 0-3 Whickham
Ryton & CrAWCROOK 0 - 1 Brandon United
There was a couple of enforced changes to the squad as we made our way to the Tyne Valley and a visit to Ryton & Crawcrook Albion FC… Vinny Gash was (thought to be) suspended and didn’t make the trip and neither did Dan Pearson but new comer Daniel Quine kept his place following his two goals in the midweek defeat against Bedlington. Also coming into the team was Ryan Burton making his debut.
The first piece of ‘action’ centred on us giving the ball away in front of the box but thankfully the ensuing long shot was straight at Tom in the nets.
It was following a bit more Ryton pressure that we went forward and took the lead. We regained the ball and went on a charge down our left. A neat one-two then saw the ball cleared across to the wide right of the Albion box… However, as Anthony Phillipson ran after the ball it sat up right for him to swivel / turn and shoot in one motion back across the box and towards the nets. It took everyone by surprise including the ‘keeper who stood no chance as it sailed into the nets.
We continued to press our dominance and a shot went over from Thompson as he turned and hit following a corner. On twenty minutes Quine down the left and sent in a low hard cross that went all the way through the 18 yard area. Wren was there at the other end and sent it back towards the edge of the box where it was met by Ryan Burton whose 1st time shot was struck hard and low but was brilliantly saved by the Ryton ‘keeper with the rebound being blazed wide. And then just after the half hour mark a hoof over from the back caused a panic between two defenders. Burton again nipped in between the two of them and stole the ball. He ran into the box for a one on one with the keeper but just as he struck the ball there was a bobble and he ended up putting it over the bar… It was a great chance…
Into the break at one nil up.
Not much happened for the first quarter of an hour of the second half. Ryton had plenty of possession and territory but they weren’t doing much with it. Everything was being tidied up by the defence or Tom was catching everything that came over… But it was all Ryton. We had no outlet and it just kept on coming back.
They had a couple of chances at goal including a free header that, thankfully, was hit straight at Tom again. Ryton, in fairness, were dominant and were playing some good football but they just couldn’t break us down. The best chance they had was a deflected shot that initially had Tom going the wrong way. But he managed to re-adjust his body and parry the ball out for a corner.
It was backs to the wall stuff and I stopped writing my notes after 78 minutes as I was so engrossed in the game. The Ryton pressure was relentless and we tried to steady the ship and then try and hit them on the break. But no sooner had we go the ball in their half, we’d give it away again and invite the pressure back on us.
From somewhere the ref got just over six minutes of injury time but eventually he blew his whistle for the last time and we’d hung on for a 1-0 win. It was hard going but a very dogged, determined and defiant defensive display saw us through for our 4th win in 5 games.
Crook Town 1 - 1 Brandon United
After two long away trips in the previous two games we made the relatively short journey just down the A690 to Crook Town for our third away fixture on the trot… Shane Todd kept his place in the starting line-up following his substitute appearance against Ryton which meant Quine was on the bench. Dan Pearson returned to the bench as well but it was pretty much the same team that had gained the 1-0 win last week against Ryton.
To be honest this was a pretty drab affair that barely came to light – for the right reasons…. The 1st shot of the game came from Crook on seven minutes but was straight at Tom in the nets. We had a bit of the ball following this but with no end result. The next shot was again from Crook but with the same outcome as before. That was on 12 minutes. I have no more notes in my book until the 40th minute - that’s how poor this game was. It was ‘niggly’, the players were arguing with themselves and the ref. We had a player booked for stopping a free kick from being taken when in fact he was walking away from the area and the ball was deliberately hit at him…
Anyway, back to the 40th minute and what went on until the half time break…. How Crook didn’t score is beyond me. There’s a bit of Crook pressure but we’ve been dealing with it. But just like at Ryton last week, just as the ball comes into the box we clear only for the ball to keep coming back in again. Yet again, we clear and the ball is 25 yard away with a Brandon player. But instead of the ball being hoofed up front or laid off to be hoofed up front Kieran tries to keep possession and play the ball out. Unfortunately the ball is lost and Crook attack. The loose ball ends up at the feet of a Crook player and he’s already inside the box. Tom comes rushing out to meet and forces the player wide and his touch is heavy and rolls away from the nets to the side line. He gathers the ball though as we rush to the near post and cover the line; Thankfully the Crook player tries to smash it in at the near post instead of laying t off to one of his team mates and the ball ricochets of Reece Marshall backside.
A minute later we give a free kick away at the edge of the box. It is struck hard and goes through the wall but luckily also straight at Tom who is able to push the ball over the bar. And then right on the stroke of half time a through ball evades the defence and the Crook player races onto it. But we are sometimes thankful of bobbles in the pitch and the ball hits one of these just as he’s about to shoot and he blazes over. Three golden chances not taken and we go in to the break at 0-0.
Kyle Wren has been struggling with an injury and doesn’t come out for the second half, he’s replaced by Dan Pearson. On 50 minutes we have our first shot at the Crook goal. It goes high, wide and not particularly handsome.
As with the first half, this is not a good game. Players on both sides seem more intent to shout at the ref for every decision. Every free kick is met by wails of anguish by the alleged aggrieved party. The game is far too much “stop-start” as every little ‘trip’ or coming together is penalised by the ref and is also met with a flailing of arms for the decision being awarded either for or against.
On 66 minutes Crook come forward and gain a disputed corner. As ‘we’ are remonstrating with the ref (again) Crook take a quick corner and we’re not ready for it. Most of us have still got our backs to the ball as it is swung over and met with a free header which easily goes past Tom in the nets. To be honest it’s no more than we both deserved – Crook had been applying the pressure and we were soaking it up again and had no outlet…
The game remained ‘petty’ but we did come into it a little more and finally started to apply some of our own pressure. My notes read “Mad Ten Minutes…” and here’s why. We were awarded a penalty that even through my biased eyes was clearly a penalty. Up stepped Shane Todd who blasted the ball straight at the nets. Unfortunately the ‘keeper hadn’t dived that much and he was able to save the shot. (This was about the 80th minute and was our first shot ON TARGET)…. The rebound was cleared and a Brandon free kick was easily dealt with just a minute later. Crook then had a player sent off for a second booking - In a world of what goes around comes around it was ‘just desserts’. The player that hit the free kick that got Ben Clarey booked as he was walking away got himself involved in a Brandon free kick. He lingered around the ball too long and the free kick was taken – which hit him. In a turnaround of the referee actually showing some consistency, he had no option but to book the Crook player. That being his second yellow – he was off.
The man advantage didn’t last too long though and we were also reduce to ten men with a second yellow for Kieran. So now it was ten on ten and the game opened up a bit. Crook had a marvellous chance to make it 2-0 when they broke three on to one. But rather than pass the ball to an unmarked team mate he tried to go round Tom who dove brilliantly at his feet and retrieved the ball.
We press and a free kick is deflected by a Crook defender toward the goal. It beats the ‘keeper but the deflection has took the pace off the ball and another defender manages to stretch out a foot and stop the ball from going over the line. The ‘keeper then dives on it to make sure…
The game goes into injury time. We apply the pressure again and win a throw in. Joe Calvert sends a high long ball into the box. It’s headed out and lands at the feet of Anthony Phillipson at the corner of the box. He controls the ball and then lets rip with a fierce shot that is saved brilliantly by the ‘keeper as he gets across and pushes the ball onto the bar. The ball bounces back down from the bar but doesn’t cross the line but just as the ball is coming down again Shane Todd is the first to react to the loose ball and gets ahead of two players to head the ball into the net for the equaliser. It’s despair from Crook but obvious jubilation for Brandon. Into injury time and to say that Brandon could have snatched it would be unfair, but we did have hold of the ball a lot more and we did have a couple of ‘half chances’.
So, all in all, not a good game by any stretch of the imagination, in fact it was fairly dour to watch, but it will be remembered for the injury time leveller against one of our (geographically) closest rivals.
Crook Town 1 - 1 Brandon United
Brandon United 1 - 1 Dunston UTS (Brandon win 3-1 on penalties...)
We were drawn against 1st Division opposition for the 2nd time in cup competition this season as Dunston UTS made their way to the Welfare Park in the Durham County Challenge Cup 1st Round. Lee was able to choose from a near full squad and consistency being the key almost everyone from the Hebburn game the previous Saturday were included tonight.
As with Washington in the League Cup last week, Dunston set off at a right pace and were ‘pinging’ the ball to each other and around us. It took a while for us to get used to the pace and not before we had given away a penalty in just the third minute - despite our protestations I think correctly given. However, Tom Orton in goal ‘guessed’ correctly, dove to his right and saved the spot kick…
But Dunston were still on top. Their neat interplay was swamping us and their individual play was causing havoc. The number 11 – Thear, made a dazzling run on the wing and his intricate footwork left three of our players stranded on the right wing but thankfully just as he was crossing the ball into the box, Luke Thompson stuck out his leg and blocked the cross.
Our first attempt came around the 20th minute. Kieran had a great tussle on the half way line and released Reece Marshall down the flank. He ran on, cut inside as he drew near the box and then shot at goal. Unfortunately it was straight at the keeper and he was able to punch away.
On 38 minutes we were awarded a free kick right on the very corner of the 18 yard box. Once everybody had been set up, Daniel Quine stepped up to take the free kick. If I’m totally honest with you, from where I was I thought it was a bit of a ‘miss-hit’ as it struggled to leave the ground. But it was hit hard enough and travelled through the box – missing our attackers, missing their defenders and – more importantly, missing their ‘keeper who stood motionless as it ‘trickled’ passed him and into the net… I have to say, it was against the run of play. It had been all Dunston up to that point but they hadn’t been able to capitalise and we had been resolute in defence. Into the half time break at one nil up.
Dunston started the second half pretty much the same way they had started the first but it was we who had two gilt edged chances to increase the lead. The Dunston defender, Hall, got the ball ‘under his feet’ inside his own half. Shane Todd was already racing to close him down and managed to pinch the ball from him. He turned and ran towards goal whilst holding off Hall as he tried desperately to win the ball back. Shane managed to get inside the box and the ‘keeper approached. Daniel Quine was square to Shane and had an open goal in front of him, all he needed was the pass…. But obviously Shane thought he could score himself and tried to lob the ‘keeper but his shot went wide.
Just a minute later it was Kieran’s turn to pinch the ball from the defender but in doing so the ball was pushed a little bit too far in front of him. He still managed to get to it first before it went out of play and seeing a couple of Brandon players in the box he sent in a cross / shot / lob towards the six yard line. The ‘keeper flapped at it and missed it but it also went behind Quine as he raced into the box. There was a last ditch punt away from a defender to clear the ball.
Dunston then began to assert themselves again and had even more possession and territory. A cross / shot came over from the right and ‘out of the floodlights’ and Tom did well to punch the ball over the bar. The resulting corner caused a bit of a melee in the box and a stabbed shot at goal was well saved by Tom again down low and to his right. There were other shots at goal and other saves and I wrote in my notes that we were ‘weathering the storm’ – or in other words – defending well.
We hit them on the counter and it was Kieran again who managed to pinch the ball from the defender. As he ran towards the box he sent over a cross that unfortunately got caught under the feet of substitute Niall Fingleton as he had the goal in front him. He managed to correct himself but his shot was blocked. The rebound fell nicely to Luke Thompson but his 1st time shot went just over the bar.
I was still writing my notes regarding the chance when I looked up to see that Dunston were on the attack again and saw the ball go from the edge of the area across to the other side where it was hit first time and back towards goal. The shot evaded everyone and nestled low into the net. One all in the 77th minute. It was a tough goal to concede after defending so well up to then.
Again Dunston were on top and had the majority of the ball and territory. How they didn’t take the lead on 84 minutes beggars belief as the ball ‘somehow’ managed to get through a crowd of players to a Dunston player all on his own, in front of the goal and just 4 yards out. Incredibly he managed to blaze the ball OVER the bar. We looked in desperation at each other and the linesman, but there had been no offside flag so it was a very lucky escape.
The pressure was relentless and we were happy to just kick it out from anywhere and take the chance of the odd break here and there until eventually the ref blew for full time.
No extra time these days in cup competitions so straight to penalties. Tom had already saved on in regulation time and I did wonder if that would be an omen – good or bad.
Dunston went up first and the shot cannoned of the cross bar. Daniel Quine took responsibility for our first kick and duly dispatched it into the net. 1-0. Dunston score their next but Tom so very nearly gets to it. Turnbull for Brandon and it’s 2-1. Dunston step up again and Tom guesses correctly, goes to his right and saves!!! Shane Todd for Brandon steps up and makes it 3-1…. Tom goes back between the sticks and just checks with the ref that Dunston HAVE to score to keep themselves in it. A bit of kidology perhaps as the Dunston player is placing the ball on the spot??? Whatever, it doesn’t matter. The kick is taken and Tom guesses correctly again and goes to his left and saves another penalty! Cue the celebrations from the Brandon players and Tom is swamped. Brandon win 3-1 on penalties.
For large swathes of the game we were under immense pressure, at times we rode our luck a little bit and we were hanging on – but the defence was incredible. It wasn’t all Dunston and we had our chances as well with our midfield and forwards giving their defence a torrid time of it. But the lads absolutely dug deep for each other and just never stopped - they were out on their feet at the end. It was a gutsy performance and a win well deserved.
We were in Cup action a fortnight ago when we travelled to Washington in the Brookes Mileson League Cup. We managed to get a fairly strong team together for the midweek fixture, but the bench was looking a little sparse. In the ranks of Washington were former players George McCain and Marc Costello.
Washington started the game at breakneck speed and very early on they attacked at pace and had a cross that was swung over and was narrowly missed by the on-rushing Washington player. In the first half of this game it was a sign of things to come. We had an escape in the 8th minute when a lovely one-two from Washy effectively took out three of our players. The resulting cross into the box was headed home but thankfully he was flagged offside. Washington also had another ‘goal’ disallowed following a corner. This time the ref had adjudged there was a foul in the run up to the ball being headed in. In truth it was all Washington who were enjoying passing the ball about and doing with real pace. We weren’t exactly over run though and we did, for the main, manage to control them.
The second half was a different matter though and straight from the kick off we went on the offensive. In the first five minutes we’d forced their keeper into making three saves, something we hadn’t done in the whole of the 1st half.
On the hour mark Kieran broke from the half way line leaving players in his wake. He laid the ball off for Philly but his shot was well blocked in a last ditch lunge. Just after a long ball over the top appeared to be going out but Philly chased it down and kept it in. He turned back inside and into the box. The resulting shot was brilliantly saved by the ‘keeper.
It wasn’t all Brandon though and Washington had their own chances again using their pace to cut through us. We had a lucky escape when a header hit the cross-bar. Tom had a couple of ‘run of the mill’ saves to make, but had to make them.
The game got a bit niggly in the last ten minutes or so and I sensed that Washy believed they should have won this game by now. We had a couple of more half chances and following a break Kieran had a one on one with the keeper. The bounce of the ball favoured the ‘keeper though and her managed to get to it just before Kieran did.
And just as it looked like we would be going to penalties, we conceded. My stop watch said 89 minutes and 45 seconds. A cross in desperation was sent over from the right, there was someone unmarked at the far post and he sent a header back towards the nets. And there was ‘old boy’ Marc Costello running in between two defenders to stretch out his foot and get a toe-poke in. It was heart break – again. To have played so well and to get nothing was hard to take but credit to ‘the lads’ in giving a 1st division team a run for their money.
Washington 1-0 Brandon League Cup 1st Round
Brandon United 1 -1 Blyth Town
Following our great performance and result midweek against Dunston in the County Cup, we were at home in League action against Northern League newcomers Blyth Town for our first ever meeting with the Northumberland club. A couple of changes from the midweek game saw Daniel Quine start the game in midfield and new signing Lewis Martin upfront.
The first ten minutes or so were frenetic and following an early chance for new signing Lewis Martin who fired straight at the ‘keeper, it was Blyth who started to dominate. They broke away following that shot and after a long ball over the defence the resulting shot was deflected over the bar - another chance and the Blyth striker saw Tom off his line but the attempted lob was well wide. Lewis Martin then had another chance and he did well ‘to fend off’ the interest of the Blyth defence but his shot from the edge of the box hits the post!! We also had a great shout for a penalty just after a quarter of an hour following a Dan Quine shot that hit the flailing arms of the defender – whose hands were NOT in a natural position. And then after that the rest of the half was a tame affair and I have no notes what so ever to look back on.
The second half starts just as fast as the first did and Kyle Wren chases the ball down on the right wing and ‘steals’ the ball from the defender. His pass goes inside to Kieran who lays it off first time to Lewis Martin whose running at pace at the edge of the box. He manages to hold off the defender, get a little bit of space and fires a shot across the keeper towards the far post. The ‘keeper does manage to get a hand to it, but it’s hit too strong and he can only parry it into the net. 1-0 Brandon and Lewis scores on his debut.
The game ebbs and flows again, Tom makes a save and then pounces on the loose ball. Lewis runs on to a high ball over the defence and just about to let rip when the on-rushing keeper dives at his feet and grabs at the ball. Lewis has another shot that is well saved just after this.
We are undone on 67 minutes following a Blyth corner and we just can’t clear the ball from our area. Eventually there is a nice little ‘dink’ over the line of defence from the left edge of the box over to the right. Two players there look a mile offside but it’s not given and one of them chests the ball down and then slots the ball passed Tom. Biased I may be, but they were a mile offside.
And then as before for the remainder of the game with both teams giving it a go and both teams having good chances. Lewis almost made it two but pushes his shot wide and then later he and Kieran combine well together but Lewis’ shot hits the side netting!!
There was always a chance of “After the Lord Mayors Show” with this game following the Dunston result, but we more than matched Blyth who went into the game in sixth place and arrived following their own cup success against Ashington. Another all-round good performance and a very well deserved point.
Norton & Stockton Ancients 2 - 3 Brandon United
Brandon made the relatively ‘long trip’ to Teeside to face Norton & Stockton Ancients and to a ground where we haven’t won in the League since 1999. A fairly settled squad / team made the journey there with the only change from the week before was Ben Clarey coming in for Dan Quine who reverted back to the bench. Debutant goal scorer Lewis Martin kept his place up front.
It was a god-awful cold wet, breezy day but the game actually started off in brilliant sunshine – but that wouldn’t last. Norton were playing against the stiff breeze and following the ball being lost in our midfield from an over hit kick, there was a two on two break. The eventual shot was hit low and passed Tom, but luckily hit the post and went out. We’d only been playing two minutes…
A half chance for Lewis Martin was headed away on seven minutes and that’s all there was in the initial stages as both teams got to terms with the weather. Shane Todd used the wind to his advantage and drilled a low hard shot at the nets on 20 minutes which the ‘keeper did well to get down to and push away for a corner. Kieran took this but it didn’t beat the first defender and went straight back to him. He crossed again though and this time used the wind to his advantage and the ball looped towards the back post and there was Joe Calvert running in to head in his first goal of the season and put Brandon one nil up.
Norton equalise just past the half hour when Caley latches on to a loose ball at the edge of our box. He beats a couple of defenders and is one on one with Tom. Caley shoots but Tom manages to stick out a hand – unfortunately the pace of the shot takes it over him and rolls towards the nets. It actually hits the inside of the post but he is the one with momentum and he just manages to get to the ball and make sure it goes in before Anthony Phillipson can get to it. 1-1 at the break.
We start the second half the stronger and Lewis Martin has a great chance to put us back in the lead but his shot from just inside the box with only the ‘keeper to beat goes high over the bar. Substitute Burton combines well with Quine but his shot goes wide.
It was while I was writing that chance in my notebook that I heard some ‘cheers’ from the other end of the pitch and as I looked up saw a few Norton players celebrating with each other and in particular with Caley who had scored his and Norton’s second goal… For a little while we’re in disarray and Norton should have scored a third just a minute later but unbelievably the ball was shot wide from just eight yards out with, again, just the ‘keeper to beat. What a let off!!
Lewis Martin had been playing a little wider than normal and came into the middle a bit more to get some of the ball. And it paid off. There’s some lovely interplay and passing between our midfield with the final ball being played to Lewis at the edge of the “D”. He beats a couple and then shoots from about 20 yards out. There’s a little bit of a deflection of a Norton players head but this is enough to send it over the ‘keeper who was standing off his line. And despite getting a hand to the ball he can’t prevent it from going in and we’re level at 2-2.
Lewis then made his personal tally three goals in two games when following some good passing from Brandon, he ran into the box with the ball and pushed the ball passed the ‘keeper as he ran out towards him. 3-2 Brandon and no less than we deserved.
We haven’t been in these positions too many time recently and almost let Norton back in again… One of their players was ’hemmed in’ by the corner flag and three defenders surrounding him. He did some kind of Cryff turn and before you knew it he was past the three of them and passed the ball to a colleague inside the area. Defenders not reacting quick enough, he was able to control the ball and shoot, but thankfully Tom was able to produce a fine save to keep us in it.
The wind and the rain and the cold persisted and following this Norton chance I decided to put my pen and paper away and try and warm myself up. I watched from the other end from where Norton were pressing but we were defending resolutely and wouldn’t let them pass. I don’t know where the ref got all the injury time from, but he eventually blew for full time and a well-deserved win for Brandon.
Brandon United 2-2 Easington Colliery
Following a great win away at Norton, there was a couple of enforced changes for the visit of Easington with Quine replacing Todd and Searby coming in for the suspended Thompson. Goal scoring debutant Lewis Martin retained his position.
It was Brandon who had the first chance as early as the 4th minute when following a corner the 'keeper punched the ball away and Turnbull attempted a first time lob back over him but the chance was over the bar as well.
Easington quickly got into their stride after this though and on ten minutes took the lead. The ball was given away cheaply and they broke at pace. It was four on to three and with one swerve of the hips it was four on one and he powered on. There was a cross into the box where it was met by the Easington player with just Orton to beat, which he did with ease and it was 1-0.
Both teams traded chances up to the half time break.
Easington were a young, pacey, well drilled unit and they'd had a little bit more of the ball and possession and were slightly the better team (as the score line would suggest), but as the half had drawn on we came into the game a bit more and had started to match them.
We'd spurned a great chance at the start of the second half from a free kick and as these things go, Easington made us pay two minutes later and they made it 2-0...We looked like we'd lost our way a little bit.
Things started to change on 57 minutes though. An awful 'tackle' was made on (I think Anthony Phillipson, but I could be wrong) And I use the word 'tackle' very loosely.... It was a studs up, two footed, off the floor lunge that got nowhere near the ball and a lot near the player. I don't know how the Easington players and bench could even begin to defend what the lad did.
After that, the Easington players were throwing themselves all over the place at the slightest touch from one of our players going for the free kick or looking to even up the numbers...
We eventually made the man advantage count and started passing the ball about a bit. An absolutely brilliant through ball for Kyle Wren to run onto (Onside by at least two yards...) who took it passed the defender, into the box and slotted past the 'keeper as he ran out. 1 - 2 on 80 minutes.
We had our tails up and less than two minutes later we had a penalty after Kieran was upended in the box. Lewis Martin stepped up for his 4th goal in 3 games... 2-2 after 82 minutes.
And then all hell broke loose. Reece Marshall made a STRONG tackle on the right back - It looked legit to me... However, the right back took exception to it, grabbed hold of Reece and threw him to the floor. There was a massive melee after this with quite a few players getting involved - Lewis Martin being one of them Lewis saw a straight red, Reece a yellow for the tackle and the Easington player a second yellow for his retaliation - so he was off as well.
Ten v nine for the last ten minutes or so. We cant quite manage to nick a winner though we have a couple of good chances. As the game is winding down - and we're in about the 96th minute - we give away a free kick right on the edge of the box. It's blasted, it goes through and over the wall and cannons off the cross bar thanks to Tom Orton's magnificent fingertip save. A let off right at the death.
You certainly get drama watching Bandon. I would have taken a point against Easington before the game started (Top six team, only one defeat away from home all season) but it was so nearly all three!!! Well done lads for keeping in there.
"Curious" game this one for me... At times it looked like we could slice Darlo apart at will and then at other times it looked as though they could do exactly the same to us... I think that's reflected in the scoreline....
We had a few regulars missing and only one on the bench and sub Andrew Jones was forced to come on quite quickly following an injury to Dan Pearson. Dan 'popped' his shoulder when he fell awkwardly defending a cross and had to be replaced after just 8 minutes... He was 'OK' but had to go to hospital to get his shoulder put back in... (Any updates...?)
Darlo had started the better and had a great chance after just two minutes forcing a great save from Tom and deservedly took the lead afetr 12 minutes following a defensive lapse in concentration.
We got back on level terms shortly after when (I believe) Anthony Phillipson was upended in the box and Daniel Quine scored the subsequent penalty.
Both teams traded chances and half chances with each other with - according to my notes - Darlo having slightly the better and more of them, but we went into the break at 1-1.
Darlo scored after just 4 minutes of the restart to make it 2-1. But we equalised less than 60 seconds later when Dane Eltringham laid off the ball outside of the area for Anthony Phillipson to strike a 30 yarder straight into the net... I think it was important for us to equalise as soon as we could and we certainly did that.
Dane Eltringham was again involved following a surging run from Steven Turnbull, the ball fell at the feet of Dane on the six yard line who again laid off the ball, this time for Daniel Quine who fired low into the net for 3-2.
However, following the nature of the game, Darlo themselves went back upfield and equalised themselves within 60 seconds. 3-3 on the hour mark.
The game decisively turned our way though in the last ten minutes... Phillipson was wide on the left, held the ball up well, turned inside and laid the ball off for Niall Fingleton who was running at pace towards the box. He was 'allowed' to run on further and then unleashed a shot from the edge of the box that made it 4-3 to Brandon. And the game was put to bed when we broke from a Darlo attack. Ben Clarey got the ball inside our half and did well to delay the pass for a Dane Eltringham run into the Darlo half. He was up against former Brandon player "Sav" but played a brilliant cross field pass from right to left where Daniel Quine was waiting, he headed back across the goal for Niall Fingleton to 'tap' the ball into the net for 5-3. A really good 'TEAM' goal.
So, a fine TEAM display. Yeah, we had our frailities, but the amount of work put in from everybody was exceptional. Practically all eleven played the 95 minutes plus of the game, some took a few knocks along the way and kept going. The covering, the chasing back to help out was great to see.
As I say great team effort, however, I am going to single out young Dane Eltringham, amongst a batch of great displays, who I thought had a tremendous game. Held his own up front, had a couple of half chances but was instrumental in three of our goals. Well done mate. Well done Brandon.