Reserves pick up good win 3-1 away from home

RIDGEONS RESERVES -SOUTH - SATURDAY APRIL 16th HALSTEAD TOWN RESERVES 1 BRANTHAM RESERVES 3.

With Braintree now on top of the league and with two games in hand it was important for us to get back to winning ways to make sure we claim the runners-up spot in the Ridgeons South Division. (writes Nathan Burrell). With the original referee calling off sick a replacement had to be found and this meant the kick off being delayed until 3.25 pm. The first 20 minutes reflected this delay and it took us a while to get into our stride. We had the first real chance of the game when Adam Thompson headed home a great cross from Danny Garrad to give us the lead. 0-1. This seemed to give us some much needed confidence and the midfield trio of Green, Turner and Webb were full of running and the Halstead lads were finding it hard to get to grips with them. Our passing and movement,both on and off the ball, was back to its best. We almost increased our lead on 35 minutes when young Danny Garrad came inside from the left and cracked a great shot that was tipped over the bar by the Halstead keeper. We were well on top now and Adam Thompson and Josh Mann both put chances wide while Shaun Webb was bundled over for a cast-iron penalty only to see the referee turn down our appeals. We increased our lead with seconds of the first half remaining. A deep cross was played into the Halstead area and James Turner,who looked second best to get to the ball, won the header in front of the Halstead keeper to notch up a great goal. 0-2. Half time and myself and Skinz were happy with the first half performance but we needed to keep on playing and the next goal was vital that it went our way. Within 5 minutes of the second half starting we claimed that vital and important next goal. Josh Mann, who had been called up from the A team after scoring bundles of goals for them, collected the ball some 25 yards and turned his man and spanked a cracking drive into the top corner of the net to seal the game. 0-3. To be fair after this Halstead got themselves back into the game when from a defensive error they broke onto us quickly and from a decent cross their forward shot home. We looked a bit wobbly for the next 15 minutes but the back four of Mann, Merchant,Spencer and Drouet defended the last 25 minutes well and Ross Welton in goal didn't have to make another save. The last chance of the game fell to young Danny Garrad who once again cut in from the left and placed a great 20 yard shot just wide of the upright. 1-3. So a good 3 points and one more point will seal the runners-up spot for us, which is a great achievement for our young side. Next week we are away to Wivenhoe and the last game is on April 30th when we are at home to Long Melford. A quick reminder - all players who want to go to the end of season awards night please let Nathan have the cash for the tickets this week !!! Brantham - 1.Ross Welton. 2.Ben Spencer. 3.Alex Drouet. 4.Shaun Webb. 5.Kev Mann. 6. Allan Merchant. 7. Ben Green. 8. James Turner ( 1 goal). 9. Josh Mann ( 1 goal). 10.Adam Thompson (1 goal). subs James Long, Stuart Cooke, Alex Street and Lee Willcox. (Thanks to my mate Nathan Burrell for a good report- and well done to the team for having such a great season, and it will be even better if they can clinch that runners-up slot,which I am sure they are more than capable of doing. ---barry felgate---)