Brantham Vets win title with one game remaining.

Photo- Nathan Burrell who hit home the second goal for Brantham that took them to the title.

Norfolk & Suffolk Vets League - Div 3 South

Ipswich Park Vets 1 Brantham Vets 2

On a hot and glorious afternoon the Brantham Vets travelled to Gainsborough Sports Centre looking for the 3 points that would give us the league title for the second year running (writes Nathan Burrell). Numbers were a little short and the "Gaffer" (Mark Horsfield) was looking nervous when the players were asking him how many do we have and the late arrival that is Matty Norman swelled our ranks to 12. On a bone hard pitch we struggled to get our passing game going and the midfield of Chris Smith, John Powell and Carl Owen were finding that final ball a problem and to find the very fast strikers in Carl Holder and Nathan Burrell. The first half was all Brantham and we took the lead when Chris "Smudger" Smith smashed home from just outside the box after good work by Colin Grogan and Carl Smith. We almost made it two when Nathan Burrell was found in the box and his first time effort was well saved by the Ipswich keeper. Somewhat against the run of play Ipswich drew level when a defensive mix-up (Matty Norman) allowed their forward a free shot at goal giving Nick "Safe-hands" Hunt no chance. 1-1. Half time and "The Horse" spoke his words calmly claiming we needed to win to take the title and the second half turned out to be just as much of a struggle as the first 45 minutes were. We were camped in the Ipswich area for probably 95% of the half but were failing to take the chances we made. Carl Holder had a glorious chance when Pat Tynan picked him out in the box but his first time volley shaved the post. Carl then had a free kick well saved and another effort was headed over when the man was well placed. The winner came on 30 minutes when the ball broke to Nathan Burrell (yes that's me!) who thundered a left footed shot into the corner of the net giving the Ipswich cat no chance at all ( journalistic licence-methinks!). That wasn't the end of the drama with just 5 minute remaining a long punt into our box was chested away by Dave Amey and the referee somehow awarded Ipswich a penalty. Up stepped a very angry young man only to see "Safe Hands" Hunt pull of a fantastic double save to seal the win for us. We still have one league game remaining, but we are unsure if or when we will be playing- so we are all looking forward to Division 2 next season. (Match report by Nathan Burrell- Brantham Reserves manager and Vets goal scorer!)

(thanks to Nathan for his report and well done to Mark and all of his team--barry felgate)