Brantham Athletic Blog

Development A team through to cup final!!!

2011-05-07T12:05:00.000-07:00

Photos- (top)- James Glen who had a match winning game in the centre of defence. (Middle) - The men in charge - Steve Chappell (left) and manager Joe "Daggers" Riley. (bottom photo - James Turner who had a top class game in midfield.

Colchester & East Essex Cup semi-final - Saturday May 7th 2011

Brantham 1 Clacton United Reserves

The Brantham Development A team, superbly led by Joe "Daggers" Riley and Steve Chappell made it through to the cup final at the weekend beating Clacton United Reserves 1-0. There was a decent crowd, of which I would think at least 80% were cheering the Brantham team on, at the University ground. We had the first real chance when a good move from midfield set Ross Cooper off towards goal and from just inside the area he hit a good shot on the run that the Clacton keeper did well to tip over the bar for a corner. Minutes later at the other end we took the lead. Arron Hall hade made ground after a good through ball and Arron was pushed in the back by a defender and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Josh Mann, taking his time, before hammering the ball home into the far corner of the net. 1-0. Clacton hit back almost straight away and only a great clearing header from James Glen denied Clacton the chance to hit back. We came back into the game with Stuart McPharland playing the ball through James Turner who hit it first time only to see it beat the keeper but go just wide. The same man then ran at the Clacton defence and went past two defenders before shooting at goal from distance. We had a bit of a scare just prior to the break when the ball was played towards the edge of the Brantham area and it turned into a race as to who could reach it first, the Clacton forward or our goalkeeper Tom Williams, and luckily it was Tom who made it and cleared the ball just as the Clacton man got to it, certainly Tom's clearance stopped what was a certain goalscoring chance for the Clacton side- phew! Half time - Brantham 1 Clacton Utd Reserves 0. The second half started after Joe's and Steve's half time talk with us again running at the Clacton team and in the first attack Josh Mann did the hard work and laid the ball into the path of Ross Cooper who saw his first time shot on the run go just the wrong side of the upright. The Clacton number 9 was a handful to say the least and he was looking dangerous on his runs into our area but James Glenn and Simon King were doing a good job of policing him. A great ball into the Clacton area saw both Alex Stocker and Ross Cooper run in but they were both just beaten to the ball by an alert Clacton custodian. With time starting to run out Clacton were prepared to push more men forward and this gave our front men that bit more of a breathing space and time to run at the Clacton goal. Despite this fact it was Clacton who had the next best chance when a forward broke through and rode two tackles, one of which drove him almost to the line, and despite team mates calling for the ball in the middle he tried a shot from an awkward angle which clipped the post. Goalscorer Josh Mann then received a bad knock to his ankle and had to come off, to a lot of applause from the Brantham supporters I might add, and he was replaced at the front by Rob Fairweather. It was Rob who was the next to try his luck after the ball had been played out wide to him and he cut inside and sent in a great cross which the keeper did well to tip over for another corner. With time running out, and with all Brantham supporters urging the referee to blow for full time, the Clacton side made one last great push to grab the equaliser. The ball was played into the Brantham area and during a bit of a goalmouth scramble the ball bobbled and just as a forward to was looking to hit it home up stepped James Glen with a huge clearance which denied them Clacton the chance to get even. After the match Joe "Daggers" Riley and Steve Chappell were full of praise for the team, who ALL played their part in a great result. The team were cheered off by a good crowd of Brantham supporters and we are all looking forward to the final in a couple of weeks time- see you there!! Once again on behalf of the team and club the thanks of the team for the great support from all of the people who made the journey, including the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Tony Hall, Colin Grogan and players,parents and everybody supporting Brantham who made their presence felt!

---barry felgate--

Reserves romp home 4-0 despite fancy dress prior to game-under manager Josh Mann!!

2011-05-04T05:31:00.000-07:00

Photo - the shy and modest Josh Mann who donned the mantle of reserve team manager for their last game at home-and not a bad managerial debut as the team won 4-0
RIDGEONS RESERVES SOUTH - SATURDAY APRIL 30th
BRANTHAM RESERVES 4 LONG MELFORD RESERVES 0
Match report by "Manager of the day"- JOSH MANN
With us sealing runners-up spot the previous week the gaffers decided to make yourself available for selection then fancy dress must be worn on arrival al the club for this last game of the campaign. I arrived to find Spartacus, Batman, a Gangster, a gay ( Cookie), 118 man, Superman and many more and fair play everyone arrived in fancy dress. It was then decided by the boys to pull names out of the hat and play in those positions. Kev Mann pulled out the number 1 and there was a large sigh of relief in the dressing room. Josh Mann then made himself manager for the day (modest chap our Josh!!) and he also completed the notes so I apologise (writes Nathan Burrell) if I have not figures out your click and cross system.
The lads took to the field in their usual blue kit and in a match that saw referee Dave Duffett clock up his 375th game in the middle, what a great record and he will always be assured of a warm welcome at Brantham. It took a little while for the boys to find their feet in their new positions and Long Melford sprung the offside trap and Kev Mann made a great save one-on-one with the Melford forward. We eventually found our feet after 10 minutes and started to actaully play some decent passing football with James Long and Adam Thompson looking accomplished at full back. Ben Green and Danny Garrad (good to see height in the middle of the back four!!) were our centre back partnership and to be honest they had the Melford forwards in their pockets. We started to play from the back and opened the scoring after 15 minutes when James Long played a great ball through to Shaun Webb who carried it into the box and finished well to give us the lead. It was all Brantham and we quickly made it 2-0 when Ben Spencer scored a fine individual goal, in fact reading Josh Mann's notes, he described it as the best goal he has ever seen? when Ben found himself beating two defenders before dropping the shoulder to put the keeper on the floor and walking the ball into the net for a fine individual goal. Scott Cooke, who was playing up front with Alex Street,then had a florious chance to open his account when from another James Long cross Scott chested it down perfectly only to hit the corner flag with his effort! Scott did get then get onto the score sheet with a classy finish and ,again. described by Josh Mann as the second best goal he has ever seen on the notes, when Scott slotted home from a good 20 yards out to give us a 3-0 half time lead.
I cannot comment on what was said at half time as I was completing my warm up (writes Nathan again) expecting to enter the fray shortly.James Turned replaced Shaun "Danger mouse" Webb and soon got into action with his non-stop running and commitment. Ben Spencer then had a glorious chance to grab his second when James"The Monkey" Long cut the ball back from the by-line only for Ben to hit home a glorious air shot and the ball was duly cleared.
The large crowd then got what they had been waiting for all afternoon with Nathan Burrell and Allan Merchant replacing Ross Welton and Scott Cooke. the formation was changed and the new strike force of Burrell and Merch was formed, to be honest Ollie Mann and Lee Grimwood have been warned, the pace and power was outrageous from the two big fellas and personally Mr.Hall should have a look!! We were creating chances at will and Kev Mann broke through but put the ball just past the post. Then the veterans hit-man was put through by a lovely dinked pass from James Long and with the old legs not moving to fast he unleashed a rocket from 25 yards only to see the ball cannon off the bar ( tears have been shed!). We then scored our fourth and last goal of the game when Danny Garrad walzted past a couple of defenders ( a natural for Come Dancing!!) and calmly slotted past the keeper for a great finish. Ben Spencer still had time to miss another couple of chances but in the end we ran out comfortable 4-0 winners.
So second place acheived and we finished 3 points behind league winners Braintree, with the real damage being done when we had to replay the Witham game. We originally won that 5-0 only to lose the replayed match 3-0. But all in all a fantastic season and full credit to all the players that have played for Merch and myself this season. One interesting fact is that this season we had 21 different goal scorers, so as you cvan see it has been a great squad effort, and that includes people whio have dropped down from the 1st team and the Dev.A team players who have made the step up, MANY THANKS.
Brantham - 1.Kev Mann. 2. James Long. 3. Adam Thompson. 4.Ross Welton. 5.Danny Garrad ( 1 goal). 6.Ben Green. 7.Shaun Webb ( 1 goal). 8. Alex Drouet. 9.Alex Street. 10.Scott Cook ( 1 goal). 11. Ben Spencer (1 goal) . subs - James Turner and the "Caped crusadors" themselves, Nathan Burrell and Allan Merchant.
Many thanks to Josh Mann/Nathan Burrell for the match report. I know that both Merch and Nathan and everybody who has turned out for the reserve team have done not only the club, but also themselves proud, well done to each and every person.---barry felgate--

Brantham hit the "Jockeys" for six......

2011-05-02T05:48:00.000-07:00

Our two hat trick men on the day against Newmarket Town.Ollie Mann (Left) and Lee Grimwood (right) but it the end it was a great team performance from every player on the day that won us the game and the points.

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - SATURDAY APRIL 30th
NEWMARKET TOWN 2 BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 6
We made the journey to Newmarket for the last game of the season and after a match on a rock hard pitch we came away with a deserved 6-2 win. As this is the last first team report of the season I hope you will excuse the "journalistic licence" I have taken as the report is longer than usual, but it was the last game!!
Strikers Ollie Mann and Lee Grimwood grabbed a hat-trick each, with Ollie's third goal coming from an unselfish pass from Lee Grimwood when in fact Lee could so easily netted himself, but he didn't and his tee up for Ollie gave them both a hat-trick.
As one Newmarket supporter said " with the twin tornadoes up front (Ollie and Lee) what hope did Newmarket have of getting anything out of the game".
However, despite the final scoreline it was the home team who opened their account first early on. The Brantham defence seemed to give James Lane the space and time he wanted to hit home from close range.
We hit back when influential midfield man David Grimwood sent in a free kick which was headed goalwards only to be cleared by the keeper. We then had a corner and Andy French put a good ball into the area and Thomas Wray, who had motored up from the back, hit the ball just over the bar. Lewis Blanchett, enjoying the space he was being given by the Newmarket defenders, laid off a good ball for Ollie Mann to run onto but Ollie seemed to hurry his shot and put it just over the bar. Newmarket hit back and Tyte was allowed room to turn and shoot at goal but Ryan Bedingfield who had the shot covered saw it fizzle past the post.
We finally equalised when Lewis Blanchett played a good through ball for Lee Grimwood to run onto. Lee beat the advancing keeper,slotting home in style at the near corner. We took the lead when a good move orchestrated by David Grimwood. David went through and sent in a fierce shot on the the run which the keeper could not hold and as the ball bobbled about Ollie Mann, following up, hit home from close range. We made it 3-1 prior to the break when a move started at the back saw David Grimwood beat his marker and he played an inch perfect ball for Lee Grimwood to latch onto. Lee went round the oncoming keeper to hit home his second of the game. Half time - Newmarket 1 Brantham 3
The start of the second half saw manager Tony Hall make a couple of changes, bringing on substitutes Simon Mann and Chris French. Newmarket seemed a bit quicker out of the gate from the restart and they pulled a second goal back. The ball was played into our area and as a defender tried to clear the ball it bobbled up and hit him on the arm and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Grant Robbins who gave Ryan Bedingfield no chance with a hard shot from the spot and giving Newmarket some hope. Newmarket pressed forward and Bell broke through but put the shot wide of the post and that seemed to knock a bit of the stuffing out of the Newmarket lads.
From then on it was mainly us doing the attacking and we made it 2-4 when Chris French made ground down the wing, cut inside and let fly with a shot that the keeper seemed to fumble and "poacher supreme" Lee Grimwood was right on hand to hit home for a well deserved hat-trick. We made it 5 when the the ball was played down the flank and played into the area and with the ball bobbling about on the hard surface Lee Grimwood laid the ball for Ollie Mann to hit home from close range. We could have had more as several times the ball was put just the wrong side of the post but we made it 6-2 when Ollie Mann notched up his hat-trick after some unselfish work by Lee Grimwood. We had a quick break down the flank and the ball was played into the Newmarket area. Lee Grimwood was the quickest to react and he could well have put the ball away himself but Lee unselfishly teed the ball up for Ollie Mann to hit home from close range and join Lee on a hat-trick.
We might have added another goal towards the end when Thomas Wray, who had moved up front, ran through and hit the ball at goal. The keeper,somehow, managed to stop it and he hit it right back into the body of Thomas and the ball ricocheted off Thomas and back towards the goal and flew past the bemused keeper but went just the wrong side of the upright, and at that moment I have a feeling that Thomas knew he would not get onto the score sheet.
A great performance from a great bunch of lads and they did themselves and the club proud.
The only thing on people's lips after the game as to who was the new found "friend" of Vice Chairman Alan Clarke!! ( answers on a post card please!!!)
After the game all the team, plus some supporters had a night out in Newmarket and Ipswich and by all accounts they had a good time and they thoroughly deserved it. I would have gone but I have a feeling that by 8 o' clock at night I would be sound asleep in a chair!!!
Thanks also to the travelling supporters, Mr & Mrs.Sibbons, who have not missed a game, Mr.Blanchett, chairman Peter Crowhurst, Vice chairman Alan Clarke ( and his new found friend!!),Asst.Director of football, the one and only Robbie Rothwell, Mr.Mann and Mick Lowe, looking resplendent in his warfare shorts, and it was good to see Jono Crouch at the game and I am sure he was kicking every ball for the team and hopefully we will see him back in action at the start of the new season. The only regular member of the travelling supporters who could not make the game was Mr.Bloss, father of our Adam.
Brantham - 1.Ryan Bedingfield. 2. Jack Sibbons. 3. Andy French. 4.Thomas Wray. 5. Marc Lowe. 6.Kieran Lawler. 7,Lewis Blanchett. 8.David Grimwood. 9.Ollie Mann. 10. Lee Grimwood. 11.Sean Gunn. subs used - Chris French and Simon Mann. subs not used - Adam Bloss ( injured) and Nathan Munson.
---barry felgate--

First team pre-season friendies dates/FA CUp-FA Vase dates

2011-05-01T11:13:00.000-07:00

The following pre-season friendly matches for the first team squad have been confirmed.
Saturday July 16th - Stanway Rovers versus Brantham - Ross Crouch cup - 3.00 pm kick off
Tuesday July 19th - Stowmarket Town versus Brantham - at Stowmarket -kick off to be confirmed
Saturday July 23rd - Framlingham Town versus Brantham - at Framlingham -kick off to be confirmed
Tuesday July 26th - Ipswich Athletic versus Brantham - in Ipswich -kick off 6.30 pm
Saturday July 30th - Fixture to be confirmed.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Some dates for the 2011-2012 season
The FA Cup extra preliminary round is scheduled for August 20th
1st round qualifying for the FA Vase is Saturday September 10th
The Ridgeons League ( subject to approval from the League Management committee) could start on Saturday August 13th.
------------------------------------------------------------
barry felgate

From the Chairman--part two

2011-05-01T08:28:00.000-07:00

From the BAFC Chairman, Peter Crowhurst.
As we enter the last day of the football season I wanted to say a sincere thankyou toyou all for your hard work. By the time you read this you will know where we finished up in all the Youth Cups and final league games of the season.
In particular I wanted to say a huge thank you to Robbie Rothwell, Tony Hall and Phil Lawler who have worked so hards to get us the opportunity to get us the new changing rooms, etc.
This is not the first time Robbie has come in to help us, having been the person who ensured we secured the new stand (Ross Crouch grandstand). Robbie has always been a fantastic distinguished member of the club.
Similarily Phil Lawler has been recognised by the Suffolk FA by achieving the Community Football Outstanding Achievement Award.
I think Andy Powell deserves special mention too . The mere act of bringing along the fantastic Lynne for as start. But much more , the programme and expert secretarial work are absolutely monumental efforts.
Barry Felgate has always been there when we needed him- absolutely brilliant! Ably assisted by young Dan.
In our management team of Tony, Colin, Skinz, Merch, Nathan, Lee W, Joe "Daggers", Steve C, Neil W and Steve F we are, I believe, second to none.
With Jenny at the helm of the finances we remain in great shape. In Stuart Cooke and all the "Cookes" we have solid people with practical advice. In young Alex I think it says so much about the family, a wonderful person. And we also thank Ali yet again for her help with the end of season event.
And in Alan Clarke, our fantastic Vice-chairman, we have a pillar of strength who's always there with sheer hard work and good advice.
In our sponsors and supporters we simply have magnificent people.
We have a terrific team of people. The club lived in difficult times for years because of the historic divisions and misunderstanding. We have to put our collective advantage to one side. Worrying about 50 pence here and there and positions of white lines, etc. We must continue at all cost put division and keep division to one side. BLC, BAFC, ASM, Bowls, Cricket, Netball etc at the end of the day share one identity and one mission. If one part fails we all fail. If we all succeed then it will be a triumph.
When we all work together, like a good football team, we can achieve so much. When division succeeds its like a player who never passes the ball!
Let us all take a deep breath and re-double our efforts to work together as the tremendous team we are as we have all year for the benefit of our fantastic club.
These are exciting times if we can re-harness that energy of the fantastic people you all are !
How about a trip to Wembley in the FA Vase Mr.Hall!!!
Regards to all
Peter Crowhurst (Chairman- BLC and BAFC)

Manager Tony Hall's response to article in Star -re Ollie Mann

2011-05-01T08:07:00.000-07:00

First team manager Tony Hall's response to the article in the Evening Star titled " Brantham slap 20K price tag on Ollie" by Nick Garnham
Dear Nick
I feel I must comment on the article concerning Ollie Mann. Clearly many clubs will make overtures to our players. Particularly a player that has been leading goalscorer in Division One and mosr probably the Premier League in consecutive years. With a total goals scored already this year in excess of 40 and at the age of 21 Ollie is the best striker in the Ridgeons League and he is a fantastic young person.
But Brantham Athletic Football Club have no reason or need to consider the sale of any of its players. We wish to strengthen and develop our squad in season 20112-2012, NOT dilute it.
We are proud that professional clubs have shown an interest in Ollie Mann - who wouldn't!
He is the product of an enviable Youth set up that is delivering a stream of young talent. With 6 of the present first team squad having played for Brantham since they joined our under 8's! This is a conveyer belt of talent. It is amazing to think that 5 of these boys at 21 have played 13 years already for this Club! With Oliver transferring to Colchester United for a prolonged period and then eventually returning on his own choice to us.
The finest league in East Anglia is the Ridgeons Premier League and such Ollie is with the right club at the right time.
But should any of our players be ready to make a step-up to professional football then that is a tottaly different matter.
Under those circumstances the whole club would be there behind the indivudual supporting them to achieve what they fully deserve. Under all curcumstances it is what is right for the players development that is at the forefront of our minds, and there is not a 20k price tag on his head.
Kind regards. Tony Hall

From the Australian branch of the BAFC supporters club

2011-04-28T07:15:00.000-07:00

The following message came from the man who started up the Australian branch of the Brantham Athletic supporters club, Dean French.
As I am sure a lot of you will know that Dean is the dad of Brantham players Chris and Andy, and Dean was heavily involved with Brantham football club for a long time.
" As the season comes to a close I just wanted to congratulate you all for an excellent season. We follow the team from 16,000 miles away waiting for every result, programme from Andy, updates from Andrew and Christopher and some very early morning checks on the Ridgeons website each Sunday morning, with baited breath for the result. We have Brantham scarves and badges proudly paraded from our windows here in Perth ensuring that everyone gets to hear about the "boys in blue".
Andy Powell's programmes are becoming world famous as I forward on his copies to 14 different people all over Australia, who all wait for their weekly dose of Brantham Athletic FC.
This season has been a remarkable achievement by you all, both on and off the pitch, with individual and collective efforts. From the games I have seen when back home and from reading all the match reports, it seems the boys are capable of holding their own against any team in the division on their day and consistency is the final piece of the jigsaw.
Thank you all for the enjoyment you provide all the regular supporters, players and everyone associated with the club through your hardwork, passion and commitment. The Australian supporters club awaits your pre-season tour of Australia with much anticipation!!!
Take care and once again well done for a fantastic season
Dean ( French) "
Many thanks to Dean for his kind words and I am sure that all the team would like to play in Australia, the only thing they might ask is when they need to get into training for the rowing they will need!!!

As the season draws to a close.......

2011-04-28T00:39:00.000-07:00

As the season draws to a close.... with Barry Felgate (taken from the Brantham v Gt Yarmouth programme 23/04)
There are two different teams involved in football at Brantham Athletic football club.The first team, and the most important team are the players, as without them you would not need the second team of people, who are the people that are active off the football pitch .They are there to make sure that the teams are ready and prepared for their game and that everything runs smoothly off the pitch. This is the chance to thank some of the people who are involved within the club and are behind the scenes. Such people as these are not only at Brantham Athletic football club but are at every football club that sees a team take to the field to play. Our thanks to each and every one of them for their great work over this current season.
Managers-assistant managers-coaches-team helpers.: Tony Hall and Colin Grogan (1st team), Allan Merchant and Nathan Burrell ( reserve team). Joe "Daggers" Riley and Steve Chappell ( Dev.A team), Lee Willcox (Under 18's), Guy Clubb and Justin Vince (Sunday Badgers), Mark Horsfall and John Powell ( Brantham Vets). Trevor Fagg (Ladies team). Arron Hall, Simon Nightingale, Martin Madley, Warren Manners, Jonathan Hammond, Kevin Day, Craig Clarke, Lee Clarke, Les Mitchell, Simon King, Steve Chappell (all youth team managers). Paul "Skinz" Skingley (Director of football), Robbie Rothwell ( Asst. Director of football), Nathan Munson ( Senior goalkeeping coach), Sam Gedny (physio), Neil Williams (under 18's coach), Steve Foley ( guest coach), Ben Swann (linesman for reserve team).
BAFC Management committee: Peter Crowhurst (Chairman), Alan " The Godfather" Clarke ( Vice Chairman and groundsman), Andy Powell ( Club secretary - Saturday teams secretary- Programme Editor), Philip Lawler ( Development officer - BLC secretary), Barry Felgate (Press officer - Website Administrator- General Club manager-Sunday teams secretary),Jenny Kennell ( treasurer), Michelle Hammond (Youth teams secretary), Debbie Kerry ( procurement manager), Tony Hall ( Commercial manager), Craig Clarke ( Junior team representative on committee), Kim Mitchell (CWO).
Other posts: David Thurlow ( Gate supervisor), Lisa Lawler ( 1st half of season) and Lynne Parker ( 2nd half of season) for their great hospitality food and drinks for visitors and officials, Dan Allen (Kitman and Golden Goal seller), young Adam Wilson (programme seller), Stuart Cooke ( for his great help with lighting, PA system, etc.)
Thanks also to those who help out on an ad-hoc basis on match days (including Rod Webb and "Nobby" Spencer on the gate and also the ladies in the kitchen who serve up top class food for players and supporters-thankyou.
As you can see, the team working behind the scenes could make up three teams on the field as well, although I have a feeling that most of us are well past our playing days now. Our thanks to each and every one of them for the hard work done during the season now finishing, it wouldn't have been the same without you! I am sure, like me, they will all welcome the short break but you can bet your life we will all be waiting for the new 2011-2012 season to get under way!
If I have left anybody out then I apologise.
Programme editor- Andy Powell
On behalf of everybody at Brantham club our thanks to Andy Powell who turns out a great programme for every first team home match, and when you see some of the other programmes from other clubs you realise what a good job he does. The last week at home for the first team Andy had to cover three programmes in seven days and he still came up smiling. Andy is also on duty at a lot of the matches with his trusty camera for action shots/player photos- something again that is much appreciated not only by us but also some of the newspapers that we send reports onto.
Last, but by no means least--OUR FANS...
Thank you to each and every one of our regular fans who come down to Brantham to cheer us on. I know that you support is much appreciated, not only by the team, but also by all of us involved in the club. Your support has been tremendous, especially at the start of the season when it took us a little time to adjust to Premier Division football,but you stuck with us and were there at home games cheering the team on. Thank you also our regular band of supporters who make the journey to travel to away games and cheer us on, to name but a few, Mr & Mrs.Sibbons, Mr.Bloss, Mr.Mann and not forgetting Mick Lowe.
See you all next season ( which is now only about 12 weeks away before the first friendly matches kick in!!)
--barry felgate---

A message from the Chairman.....

2011-04-27T09:05:00.000-07:00

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN.....(taken from the Brantham v Yarmouth programme - 23rd April 2011)
After a baptism of fire losing 4-0 away to Debenham LC at the start of our Premier League campaign the team finally found their feet in 2011. With breath taking peformances away at Dereham, 1-5, Kirkley & Pakefield, 0-7, at times we looked like champions. But for me the performance of the year was that at Wroxham. With 8 players left on the pitch we delivered a hard earned draw (2-2) against the 2010 FA Vase finalists. This demonstrated to all the players what they can deliver and bred an inner belief across the squad. We battled for that result. It was outstanding. If we can do that consistently week in week out next season then we will be in the top 5. If we reproduce inconsistency then we will dance with the devil yet again next year.
Mick Lowe and I always look at each other in the eye before each match. Which Brantham will show today?
But remaining positive has been a trememndous achievement by all the players, the manager and all the coaches and support staff & committee. Tony, Skins, Colin, Nathan. Sam. Steve and Robbie have worked with and believed in the squad. With the Ressies -Merch/Nathan-pushing Tony all the way again for another incredible season where they still hold a real chance of being crowned Reserve league champions. They are also outstanding. Not to mention the sparkling under 18's who can achieve runners-up following their success of last year. I am sure you will agree Lee Willcox senior has done an incredible job yet again. Then we have the Development Team- Joe Riley and Steve Chappell have honed a brilliant squad of youngsters. Anyone who has watched them will be impressed by the quality and togetherness of this team that are pushing for promotion for the 3rd season running.
Whilst we celebrate a Royal Wedding this year I wish to pay credit to a player who has put his career on the line with a totally fair but vital tackle for the Club - Jono Crouch-I shouldn't praise individual players ( particularly when they're my future son-in-law) But what a terrific lad he is and the tackle in the mud larks of March spoke volumes about him. We all wish him well for the most important wedding of the year ! And,of course a speedy recovery. And talking of individuals -Ollie Mann - our own Connor Wickam- But better! Again like all the lads a terrific person and player who's set square to be the League's leading goalscorer following on from the same acolade in the First Division last season.
This season we were so fortunate to find Kensington Mortgages as a sponsor. The integrity of this company is bottomless. They have allowed us to do things we have always dreamt of. Well done to them and All our sponsors. A club like ours relies so much by the people behind the scenes. Their hard work and ingenuity. We simply couldn't operate without the limitless enrgy of our committee. They have been superb. And with the recent aquisition of Lynne in corporate hospitality we are making giant strides in our development.
So with a few games to go, lots to play for across the sides.I firmly believe we've only witnessed the start. We are going to knock onto far bigger things. This is an incredible club with some brilliant people and wonderful supporters. Enjoy the Game. Roll on 2011-2012
Peter Crowhurst (Chairman)

Brantham back to winning ways at FC Clacton !!

2011-04-27T06:43:00.000-07:00

Photo - Lee Grimwood who must have covered almost every inch of the Clacton ground with his non-stop running. Lee was brought down in the area for a penalty,which Ollie scored from, and Ollie returned the favour by playing the ball through for Lee to add our third and final goal.

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - MONDAY APRIL 25th
FC CLACTON 0 BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 3
After losing at home to Yarmouth over the weekend the management team and players were determined they would pick up a much better result away to FC Clacton, and they did just that with a hard worked and well deserved 3-0 win. We started off well and within minutes Lee Grimwood had a good shout for a penalty after he had been brought down waved away by referee Goodman. Clacton started to get into the game on a hard pitch and early on Jake Clowsley had a good chance which was well taken by Brantham keeper Ryan Bedingfield. We seemed that bit quicker to the ball early on and this paid off as we took the lead. From a free kick Ollie Mann chested the ball down into the path of Marc Lowe who from a good 25 yards out hammered the ball home into the back of the net, leaving Ian Todd in the Clacton goal no chance as the ball went like a bullet through a crowd of players. Ollie Mann and Lewis Blanchett combined for a shot on the run that was tipped round the post by the Clacton cuistodian. Lewis Blanchett, playing wide on the left, had a couple of good efforts but each time they sailed over the bar. There was a big cheer from the lads in the "Stand" when a ball was kicked into the shed and one of the Clacton supporters stopped it and returned it to play, as you can imagine to a lot of cheering! Clacton, who had seemed a little bit subdued had their first corner of the game after 25 minutes but the ball was headed wide by an oncoming forward. Ollie Mann broke through and was through by some good goalkeeping denied him the chance to put the ball away. Clacton hit back and Clowsley shot over the bar when well placed. Minutes later Clacton's Liam Coleman sent in a superb shot from the back of the area only to see Ryan Bedingfield equal the effort with a top class save.
The second half started with Clacton running at us and within minutes the ball bobbled about in our area and with the goal at his mercy Coyle put it just wide. Ryan Bedingfield was called on again when a forward broke through only to see Ryan make yet another good save with the Clacton player getting hurt in the process. This was the time in the game when central defenders Thomas Wray and Adam Bloss, and indeed the whole back four of Jack Sibbons, Thomas, Adam and Andy French, had to be at their best and they did just that with some great and timely tackles to keep the Clacton front men quiet. We upped the game again and midfield man David Grimwood was playing some good football and time after time he laid on good passes for his team mates to run onto. We added a second goal when Lee Grimwood, who again had and chased every ball, made ground into the area and beat a defender before being brought down for a penalty. Up stepped Ollie Mann to hammer the ball home from the spot. The second largest cheer of the afternonn came when a Clacton lad tried a hard shot which went wide but managed to land right on the head of one of the supporterts standing to one side of the Brantham goal, taking his hat as the ball thumped down onto his head! Minutes later Ollie returned the favour when he made ground into the area and beat his marker before squaring the ball to the feet of Lee Grimwood who went past a defender and duly hit it into the back of the net. Simon Mann and Ollie Mann played some good passing football down the flank before Ollie pushed the ball through to Lewis Blanchett who hit it first time and his shot went just over the bar.
Brantham - 1.Ryan Bedingfield. 2.Jack Sibbons. 3. Andy French. 4.Thomas Wray. 5. Adam Bloss. 6.Simon Mann. 7.Marc Lowe. 8. David Grimwood. 9.Ollie Mann. 10. Lee Grimwood. 11.Lewis Blanchett. subs used - Kieran Lawler. subs not used - Sean Gunn, Chris French and Nathan Munson.
Brantham's last game of the season is this Saturday, 30th April, when we are away to Newmarket Town. there is a coach going to the game and if you would like to travel with us then please contact Alan Clarke on 07909 527575 for details.
------barry felgate----

Brantham Reserves get valuable league point with 1-1 draw

2011-04-27T06:20:00.000-07:00

RIDGEONS RESERVES -SOUTH - SATURDAY APRIL 23rd
WIVENHOE RESERVES 1 BRANTHAM RESERVES 1
We travelled over to Wivenhoe (writes Nathan Burrell) knowing a point would seal us the runnerrs-upspot in the Reserves South division. When we arrived we found a bone hard bumpy pitch and around 100 degrees heat so we knew the football wouldn't be pretty. We started off on the front foot with plenty of posession and Wivenhoe were happy to let us have the ball and defend in depth in numbers. After 5 minutes we should have scored when James Turner found Danny Garrad who cut in from the left and his effort struck the post. Almost immediately we had another glorious chance when Adam Thompson broke into the box on the right but his effort was inches over the bar. Thomo had another great effort when he waltzed past two defenders and cut in but his effort this time was well saved by the Wivenhoe keeper. We eventually took the lead on 40 minutes when the ball was played through to Adam Thompson on the edge of the area. Adam controlled the ball first time and struck his effort into the bottom corner of the net. As we had dominated most of the posession we deserved the lead going into half time but a moments lapse of concentration when we gave the ball away some 25 yards out presented the ball to Wivenhoe. Their forward ran through unchallenged to our box and put a tame effort past Ross Welton for the equaliser. The second half was played out mainly in midfield as we hadly troubled the Wivenhoe keeper and Ross Welton in the Brantham goal didn't have to make one save. We were playing some ok football until we reached the last third but just failed to have that touch of quality with the final ball. We had three good chances to win the game firstly when Shaun Webb broke into the box and lobbed the keeper but saw his effort come back off the post and Josh Mann headed the rebound into the arms of a grateful keeper. On 25 minutes Adam Thompson again did well and got to the dead ball line ad his cut back found Ben Spencer who shot tamely past the post. And on 35 minutes our last chance fell to James Turner, when from a corner he headed just past the post. So a 1-1 draw which sealed the runners-up slot for us.
Braintree won again and our congratulations go to them as they have been on a great run which has seen them clinch the title, just to put things into perspective their 1st team also won their division and will be playing in the Conference proper neat season so I think we have done well to keep it going when you see the level they are at.
Last game of the season on Saturday when we are at home to Long Melford and where all players need to arrive in fancy dress to be considered for selection!! ( You have been warned !!)
Brantham - 1.Ross Welton. 2.Scott Cooke. 3.Alex Drouet. 4.James Long. 5. Shaun Webb. 6.James Turner. 7. Lee Willcox. 8.Danny Garrad. 9.Josh Mann. 10.Adam Thompson (1 goal). 11. Allan Merchant. subs -Ben Spencer, Kev Mann and Ed Nobbs
(Thanks again to Nanthan Burrell for the report - and don't forget the fancy dress as you turn up for the game on Saturday !! Methinks my "old Teddy Boy" outfit from the 60's might not look out of place!!!----barry felgate)

First team go down 1-2 to Yarmouth Town!(plus "The Godfather)

2011-04-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

It has been suggested that I go on the gallops at Newmarket ( carthorse at least!!) but if I did then I would need the advice of our very own "The Godfather" ( Alan Clarke to those who don't know!) for his tips and advice!!!

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - SATURDAY APRIL 23rd
BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 1 GREAT YARMOUTH TOWN 2
With both teams knowing they were safe from any relegation worries it did show a little bit in this game, although to be fair to both teams the match was played in blazing sunshine. Both teams played some good football with Yarmouth tending to have the slightly better of the chances during the entire match. It was us who created three very early chances when we had three corners in the first 5 minutes but we were just not able to make any of them count for anything. Simon Mann and Lee Grimwood combined to put a good cross into Ollie Mann but the ball bobbled on the hard surface at the wrong time and Ollie's shot went wide of the post. Brantham's man of the match, goalkeeper Ryan Bedingfield, made a world class one handed save from close range to deny Yarmouth's Reed from opening his and Yarmouth's account, a save which had even some of the Yarmouth people clapping Ryan's stop. We hit back and Lee Grimwood played a good ball to Kieran Lawler whose first time header was not that far wide. This all changed in the 26th minute when Yarmouth took the lead with a well worked goal. A quick break between Smith and Jake Reed left our defence seeming to ball watch a bit and Jake Reed needed no second chance to hit it home from close range. Yarmouth had their tails up now and a good move down the left ended with the ball being played into our area and Woodcock headed firmly home only to see the linesman's flag up for offside. Our goalkeeper, Ryan Bedingfield, kept us in the game at this stage by making another top class when it looked as though an advancing Yarmouth man would score. Yarmouth were still pushing men forward and they made it 2-0 when Jake Reed made a determined break through the middle and he was given time and space to hit the ball home on the run. We hit back a couple of minutes later when the ball was played out wide to Sean Gunn who cut inside and let fly with a shot that the Yarmouth keeper was glad to tip over the bar for a corner. We were playing better football in the second half and when midfield man David Grimwood came on he started to help us take a firmer grip on the midfield. We pulled a goal back when David Grimwood played the ball wide onto the right flank for Lewis Blanchett to collect. Lewis went round one defender,leaving him marking fresh air, before getting to the edge of the area and letting fly with a fierce shot. The keeper did well to stop the shot but he couldn't hold onto the ball and Ollie Mann was in the right place at the right time to hit home the perfect "poachers" goal. We were playing some good attacking football and David Grimwood was unlucky with a good shot on the run across the area which went just wide of the upright. For the second game in a row we thought that we had at least drawn level when Adam Bloss and Thomas Wray were involved in the move that saw the ball end up in the back of the Yarmouth net but again the linesman had his flag up and it was ruled out for offside. The match finished with Yarmouth defending in depth but still finding time to push men forward when the chance arose. We caused them problems down the flanks with Sean Gunn and Lewis Blanchett running straight at defenders but were just not able to make anything count in the final ten minutes.
Brantham - 1.Ryan Bedingfield. 2.Simon Mann. 3.Chris French. 4.Jack Sibbons. 5. Thomas Wray. 6- Kieran Lawler. 7. Marc Lowe. 8- Adam Bloss. 9.Ollie Mann. 10. Lee Grimwood. 11.Sean Gunn - subs used- Lewis Blanchett, Andy French and David Grimwood. sub not used -Nathan Munson.
As this was the last first home team match of the season our thanks to all of the supporters who have turned out to watch games, your help and support is very much appreciated by us all here at Brantham Athletic.
Last league match of the season - Saturday April 30th - Newmarket Town versus Brantham (kick off 3.00 pm)
(it has been suggested that I might like to go for a poodle round on one of the horses while we are at Newmarket, but I don't recall ever seeing a carthorse in the National or Derby-do you!! The only advantage would be that I would have our very own "The Godfather" -Alan Clarke to those who don't know, on hand to offer tips and advice!!!)
--barry felgate---

Brantham equaliser ruled out!!

2011-04-20T04:56:00.000-07:00

Photo - (right) Marc Lowe who ran in at a free kick to head home only to see it disallowed for offside( by another player in an offside position we assume). (left) Jack Sibbons who powered a header home to get us back into the game.

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - TUESDAY APRIL 19th
BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 1 WISBECH TOWN 2
Our last but one home game saw us take on a determined Wisbech team, and despite us having chances we went down 1-2. We started the brighter side and Ollie Mann played the perfect ball through to Lee Grimwood whose first time shot on the run was tipped away by the keeper. Minutes later the same combination almost opened the scoring for us. Ollie Mann headed the ball into the path of the fast running Lee Grimwood who hit it first time only to see his shot beat the keeper but to be cleared off the line by a frantic defender. Somewhat against the run of play it was Wisbech who opened the scoring. Matt Lunn was given time and space to travel down the wing and cross the ball into our area. Darren Jimson was the quickest to react to the situation and he headed home from close range. 0-1. We picked ourselves up and a good move started at the back ended with the ball being lofted into the path of Kieran Lawler who headed just wide of the post. Wisbech then had a purple spell of ten minutes when they did everything bar score.Twice Callum Reed broke through the Brantham defence, the first time he shot the ball straight at Ryan Bedingfield in the Brantham goal. Within a minute Reed again broke down the right and leaving a defender in his wake he seemed to hurry his shot and it went just over the bar. We did create chances but at times these were getting bogged down in midfield and we just could not break a hard tackling Wisbech defence down. We started the second half looking to get back into the game and a good move saw Ollie Mann try his luck from close range. The shot beat the keeper to go agonsingly the wrong side of the post. We hit back and from a corner the ball was pumped into the Wisbech area and Thomas Wray saw a good shot scrambled away from the line. We us pushing forward the hard tackling Wisbech defence were in no mood to give anything away and they defended in depth and even when we got through Jordan in the Wisbech goal was making some good stops to deny us. With us pushing forward Wisbech added a second goal. The ball bobbled about on the edge of the area and Callum Reed latched onto it and went forward and his shot seemed to take a long time to go into the Brantham goal but in the end it did 0-2. We picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves down and went forward in numbers to get back into the game. We did pull a goal back when, from one of the many free kicks that Wisbech were prepared to give away before we got into the area, we finally made the break through. The ball was played into the Wisbech area and Jack Sibbons rose above everybody else to power a header home into the back of the net leaving the keeper no chance at all of stopping it! 1-2. Wisbech came back again and a good shot from a fast running forward beat Ryan Bedingfield but clipped the Brantham goal stanchion. With time running out we thought that we had at least drawn level. The ball was played in from the right and Marc Lowe, running in at speed, met it with a powerfiul header which flew into the goal. None of the Wisbech people complained but our joy was short lived as the linesman had his flag up for offside and the goal was ruled out. There was no doubt that it could not have been Marc Lowe who timed his run in perfectly,we can only think another Brantham player had been in an offside position, so we just had to get on with it for the final few minutes.
Brantham team - 1.Ryan Bedingfieldf. 2. Simon Mann. 3. Andy French. 4. Jack Sibbons. 5. Thomas Wray. 6. Kieran Lawler. 7. Adam Bloss. 8. David Grimwood. 9.Ollie Mann. 10. Lee Grimwood. 11. Sean Gunn. subs used - Chris French,Lewis Blanchett and Marc Lowe.
Last 3 games of the first team season - Sat. April 23rd - Brantham v Gt Yarmouth (3.00 pm). Easter Monday , April 25th - FC Clacton v Brantham. Saturday April 30th - Newmarket Town v Brantham ( 3.00 pm). There is a coach travelling to the Newmarket game, why not come along with us on the coach and enjoy a good day out. Please ring Alan Clarke on 07909 527575 for details and to book a seat.
-----barry felgate--

Brantham Athletic website being updated during 'close season'

2011-04-19T02:44:00.001-07:00

During the so called 'close' season the Brantham Athletic football club website is being updatyed to make it a lot more user friendly and all of this work should be completed well in advance of the new 2011-2012 season. The log on will still be the same - www.branthamathletic.co.uk
There will be changes to the layout of the website and fixtures,results, match reports and general club chat will be that much easier to get to on the 'new' website. All the team photos, player photos will be retained and also the website will have a new look to is with drop downs for various sections and a brand new forum where you will be able to put down your comments about matches, reports, fixtures and people.
So don't forget that by the start of next season you will be able to look at and access the Brantham Athletic website that much easier and you will find anything and everything you need to know or want to know about Brantham Athletic football club, all of the teams and all of the people involved with the club, players, officials and supporters. One the new website is up and running we would also value your comments on the "updated" website.
--barry felgate--

Reserves pick up good win 3-1 away from home

2011-04-18T08:50:00.000-07:00

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---)

Brantham back on track with 3-0 win against Rovers!

2011-04-17T08:18:00.000-07:00

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - SATURDAY APRIL 16th BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 3 HAVERHILL ROVERS 0. We went at Rovers straight from the first whistle and within a minute had our first chance which was put wide under pressure. We took the lead in the 4th minute, guess who ! yes you are right, Ollie Mann. A determined header from Adam Bloss put Sean Gunn on his way and Sean laid the ball into the path of Ollie Mann. Ollie ran straight at goal and hit the ball home under the advancing keeper. 1-0. Haverhill hit back straight away and O'Brien was put through on goal but he could not control the ball and his effort was taken easily by Brantham custodian Ryan Bedingfield. We picked our game up again and a good move across the pitch ended with the ball being played wide to Ollie Mann. Ollie cut inside and drew the keeper out of his goal and slotted home in style at the near post. 2-0. Haverhill came back into the game and Thomas Wray who made an important stop to clear our lines and keep the fast running Haverhill man away from goal. Haverhill kept on coming forward and a good shot was stopped by Ryan Bedingfield but he could not stop the ball going back out again and Haverhill's Paynter hit home from close range but the linesman had his flag up and the goal was disallowed. Phew!! It was our turn to press forward and Sean Gunn skipped through a couple of tackles and laid the ball off into the path of Kieran Lawler. Kieran hit the shot first time on the run and his shot went along the line and just past the wrong side of the far post. Minutes later midfield general David Grimwood went through three tackles, steadied himself and sent in a fierce shot which Haverhill were glad to clear off the line to deny David. Haverhill were still in the game and a good move from the back ended with Abbott running through only to finish by putting his shot into the side netting. The second half started with a bad tackle on Kieran Lawler which required lengthy treatment and the Haverhill man was a tad lucky only to receive a caution for the tackle. We made it 3-0 when the ball was played through to Ollie Mann playing wide. Ollie had to shrug off a defender but was driven wider than he would have liked but he still in a great shot at goal which beat the keeper only to hit the crossbar and come out. With the goalkeeper trying to get to the loose ball it was Sean Gunn who reacted the quickest and he rode a tackle and hammered the ball home into the back of the net. To their credit Haverhill would not give up and they still pushed men forward in search of a goal. O'Brien was put through but he seemed to hurry his shot from distance and it went over the bar. We hit back when the ball was played down the left to Lewis Blanchett who left his marker on the ground with a superb body swerve. Lewis went down the flank and crossed the ball for Sean Gunn to hit on the volley and it looked a goal but Morrison in the Haverhill goal pulled off a first class stop to tip the ball round the post for a corner. It was all Brantham at this stage with Lewis Blanchett keeping them on their toes down the flank with some classy football. We might have made it 4-0 when Ollie Mann went through and played the ball back to Sean Gunn who hit it hard and low and the Haverhill goalkeeper did well to save the shot let alone hold it. The last move of the game saw a great one-two between David Grimwood and Lee Grimwood which ended with the ball going to Ollie Mann who hit it first time and his shot hit the stanchion before being cleared. Brantham - 1.Ryan Bedingfield. 2. Simon Mann. 3.Andy French. 4.Jack Sibbons. 5. Thomas Wray. 6. Kieran Lawler. 7.Marc Lowe. 8. David Grimwood. 9.Ollie Mann. 10. Adam Bloss. 11. Sean Gunn. subs used - Lewis Blanchett, Chris French and Lee Grimwood. not used- Nathan Munson. Next two home matches - Tuesday April 19th -Brantham v Wisbech (7.45 pm) and Saturday April 23rd - Brantham v Gt Yarmouth ( 3.00 pm) ----barry felgate--

Reserves go down to dubious penalty decision!!

2011-04-12T06:25:00.000-07:00

Photo- goalkeeper Ross Welton who made some top class saves in the second half to keep us in the game. RIDGEONS RESERVES - SOUTH- SATURDAY APRIL 9th BRANTHAM RESERVES 1 HAVERHILL RESERVES 2 With Braintree continuing to win their games in hand the league now looks out of sight after last Saturday's poor showing at home to Haverhill (writes Nathan Burrell). After beating Wivenhoe confidence was good and only one change to the starting 11 was Kev Mann coming in for Chris French. Right from the kick off Haverhill looked up for the fight with some meaty looking challenges going unpunished. Haverhill took the lead after 10 minutes when a clearance from Ross Welton was block and the ball fell to their forward who tapped it home. It took us 20 minutes to create a half chance when Ben Green played in a great ball across the box which just evaded Danny Garrad and Adam Thompson. Throughout the half the work rate and pressure on us from Haverhill was first class and we just could not get to grips with this but Haverhill were giving us a sniff with some free kicks in the final third. From a free kick 25 yards out Ben Green brought us back into the game when his free kick found the back of the net. So half time and having played pretty poorly we were on terms so the Management team stressed to the boys start competing and earn the right to play our football. Ben Sparrow replaced Scott Cooke who had problems with a neck injury. This meant that Alex Drouet went back to left back with Danny Garrad going to the left flank and Ben Sparrow up top.Again we were second best all over the pitch with our only chance of the half falling to Ben Sparrow who shot wide when well placed. We huffed and we puffed but just couldn't get on top of a strong and experienced Haverhill team. In all honesty Ross Welton in the Brantham goal kept us in it with three top class saves when Haverhill did get through and on goal. We were then reduced to ten men when Ben Sparrow was sent off for a foul and as he clapped the decision of the referee he was shown his second yellow card. The first caution was for dissent but that was quickly followed by his second and a red. Quite amazingly these two yellows were the only ones shown by the young referee while some of the tackles going on in the game were certainly worthy of a caution so that was rather disappointing. Haverhill's winner came when from a corner the referee blew for a push in the box. To be honest he was the only person in Brantham to have spotted this and certainly there was no appeal from Haverhill,so that just about sums it up. So a disappointing result but congratulations to Haverhill who were the better team and deserved the win. So with 3 games remaining it is important to pick up the pieces again and make sure we finish this season well and maintain second place.This coming Saturday sees us away to Halstead. Brantham - 1-Ross Welton. 2-Ben Spencer. 3-Scott Cooke. 4. James Long. 5.Kev Mann. 6. Shaun Webb. 7. Ben Green ( 1 goal). 8.Alex Street. 9.Danny Garrad, 10. Adam Thompson. 11 Alex Drouet. subs- James Turner, Ross Cooper and Ben Sparrow. (Thanks to Nathan Burrell for a very honest report---barry felgate)

Brantham go down 4-1 away to Ely City

2011-04-11T11:45:00.001-07:00

Photo (left) - Adam Bloss, who had a great game in the middle of the defence and (right) goalkeeper Ryan bedingfield who made some top class saves to keep the score down. These two players were named as joint men of the match for Brantham by the Ely supporters.

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - SATURDAY APRIL 9th

ELY CITY 4 BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 1

We travelled to Ely for our first game in a couple of weeks and were looking for a good result,but we knew it would be hard with the two Ely central defenders being dominant players, as we had found out in the home game. Despite creating chances we came away on the end of a 4-1 defeat. Ely started brightly and Bridgeman had the ball in our next but it was disallowed for offside. We hit back and a good three man move involving Sean Gunn and Ollie Mann saw the ball played through to Kieran Lawler whose first time shot went just wide of the post. Ely's Chadwick broke through and only a top class save from Ryan Bedingfield denied him scoring. Ely,however, broke the deadlock when the ball was played into our area and Chadwick was the quickest to latch onto the loose ball and slot home from close range through a crowded area. We hit back with an attack on the break and Lee Grimwood running at goal saw a good shot deflected for a corner. Ely started to gain control of the midfield again and from a corner a header from Impey looked a goal until Ryan Bedingfield seemed to change direction in mid-air and tip it over the bar for a corner. Ely made it 2-0 when a quick break saw the ball played across our area and Impey turned his marker and gave Bedingfield no chance from close range. Ely then added a third goal when the ball looked as though it was going out of play and with us seeming to wait for a decision from the linesman the ball was quickly turned back into our area and Bridgeman who was rushing in made no mistake with a fierce shot into the far corner. Despite us again having a couple of half chances it was Ely who made it 4-0 when the ball was played towards the line of our area and Pettit seemed to run through almost unchallenged to hit the ball past an advancing Ryan Bedingfield. No doubt we had chances but were finding it hard to make them count while Lee Grimwood ran at the Ely defence all game with no reward at all! We thought we had pulled a goal back when a good move started deep in our half ended with Sean Gunn crossing for Marc Lowe to head home but for some reason the referee disallowed it for a foul. Lee Grimwood then went straight at goal and a ball had been played into his path and as the keeper came out the ball ended up in the net but only to see the referee disallow the goal for a previous foul! I think we somehow knew at that point that it was not going to be our day! We did finally pull back a consolation goal when a great ball was played towards the far post and Ollie Mann, despite having two defenders round him,made sure it went in at that far post. Jack Sibbons tackled an Ely player, who went down as though he had been pole-axed, and the referee pointed to the spot. However, they had not bargained on goalkeeper Ryan Bedingfield who made a world class save to deny him. Ely were still pushing men forward but they could not get anything else past Ryan who made three top draw saves to deny them, and even the Ely supporters agreed they were great stops.

Joint Brantham men of the match, as decided by the Ely people, were Ryan Bedingfield, as without some great saves we could have gone down by a lot more goals and Adam Bloss who had a very good game in the middle of the Brantham back four. One other contender might have been Marc Lowe's father, Micky, who in trying to get the ball back onto the pitch managed to hit the same stanchion twice!!.

Brantham team - 1.Ryan Bedingfield. 2-Thomas Wray. 3. Chris French. 4. Jack Sibbons. 5.Adam Bloss. 6.Kieran Lawler. 7. Marc Lowe. 8.David Grimwood. 9.Ollie Mann. 10.Lee Grimwood. 11.Sean Gunn. subs used - Simon Mann, Andy French and Lewis Blanchett. sub not used - Nathan Munson.

---barry felgate---

Brantham Vets win title with one game remaining.

2011-04-11T11:11:00.000-07:00

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)

Brantham Reserves still in contention after 2-0 win

2011-04-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

RIDGEONS RESERVES SOUTH - TUESDAY MARCH 29th BRANTHAM RESERVES 2 WIVENHOE RESERVES TOWN 0 After the dismal defeat last week against Stanway myself (writes Nathan Burrell) and Merch tried all mind games to get the boys back at it and get back to winning ways. This also meant upsetting ""I'M THE KIT MAN"" Danny Allen who supplied us with the red and black kit for this home game. Right from the off we seemed more relaxed and up for the fight (not literally I might add!!) but Wivenhoe themselves looked a decent outfit so we knew we had to be on our metal. We were looking dangerous down the left with Alex Drouet and Chris French combining well and this combination gave us the first real chance of the half when Frenchy put over a cracking cross which Ben Green met and planted his header just wide. We again attacked down our left with Frenchy putting in yet another great cross for Shaun Webb whose header was bundled away for a corner. With Wivenhoe playing just the one up front and five in midfield it meant that Shaun Webb and Alex Street were getting through plenty of work and we were just failing to supply that final ball. The final ten minutesof the half saw us have two glorious chances to take the lead. Firstly, some lovely one touch football found Shaun Webb in the box and his first time lay-off found Adam Thompson whose shot was heading into the net only for the Wivenhoe keeper to pull off a fantastic save. Minutes later it was Shaun Webb who again found himself free at the far post after a lovely Danny Garrad cross and Shaun's first time shot was again well saved by the keeper. So half time and our good football failed to get that all important first goal. We stressed to the boys not to panic and to move the football about and we would create chances.The first half of the second half fell to skipper James Long when, from a corner the ball, was bouncing about in the box and Longy fired just over the bar. We eventually made the breakthrough when Alex Street played in Ben Green down our right. Ben put in a fantastic cross which was firmly headed home by Adam Thompson at the far post to give us the lead. This seemed to settle us down and we were playing our best football of the game. I,however, mst make comment to the worst shot probably ever seen at the Leisure Centre when our goal scoring hero, Adam Thompson, fired in a woeful shot on the right hand side of the box with the ball finally going out for a throw 25 yards away from the half line!! We then made the game safe with an absolute beauty and probably goal of the season when Alex Street picked up a poor clearance from 30 yards out and pinged a glorious shot into the top corner, giving the Wivenhoe keeper no chance at all. In the closing stages it was all Brantham and Shaun Webb had another shot saved and Chris French should have scored with his header from 10 yards out but again credit to the keeper who made another good save. So an important win and with Braintree and Heybridge drawing midweek the title could well go dow to the last couple of games, and I am sure we will all be up for it!! Brantham - 1. Ross Welton. 2. Scott Cooke.3.Alex Drouet. 4.James Long. 5.Ben Spencer. 6.Shaun Webb. 7. Bren Green. 8. Alex Street ( 1 goal). 9.Danny Garrad. 10. Adam Thompson (1 goal). 11.Chris French. subs- James Turner, Kev Mann, Sean Gunn and Allan Merchant. (Thanks to Nathan for a good report, and I was at the game and I must say that the goal that Alex Street scored would not have looked out of place in a football league game, it was that good a strike---barry felgate)

Brantham hit Woodbridge for four!!!

2011-03-28T08:51:00.000-07:00

Photo: (left)- Adam Bloss who powered a header home for our fourth goal and (right)-League leading goalscorer Ollie Mann who hit a first half hat trick.

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - SATURDAY MARCH 26th BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 4 WOODBRIDGE TOWN 0. After the midweek defeat at CRC were were keen to get back to winning ways and we did that with a good 4-0 win at home to Woodbridge Town, doing the double over them for the season. We started quickly and despite some of the game being concentrated in midfield we did create openings. Despite us looking the more confident side it was Woodbridge who had the first real chance. A ball was played into the Brantham area and as Sam Banya made ground towards the ball he was beaten to it by Andy French who put a deft header back to Ryan Bedingfield in the Brantham goal. At the other end Andy was involved again when he put over a corner that was played back to David Grimwood who was not that far wide with a snap shot. It was then the turn of Sean Gunn who hit the ball from outside the area only to see it clip the woodwork before being cleared. We broke the deadlock when a good move down the left ended with Ollie Mann collected the ball and made ground straight into the Woodbridge area only to be brought down and the referee pointed to the spot. Ollie made sure things were right before blasting the ball home, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-0. Woodbridge were struggling to hold the Brantham front runners and minutes later Ollie Mann was on target for his and Brantham's second goal. A good move from the back to the flanks saw the ball played into the path of Ollie Mann. Ollie ran directly at goal and as the keeper came out to narrow the angle Ollie hit it home past him. Midfield man David Grimwood who was playing well was then involved in the wars again, this time as David went to head the ball a Woodbridge man hit him in the head with a very high boot and David went down like he had been pole-axed. After a long delay for treatment David finally got up and was soon involved again in the action. Minutes later Ollie Mann grabbed his third goal of the game. He went on a mazy run, cut inside and drew the keeper off his line and sent in a hard shot that hit the bar and bounced down. A defender ran back to hastily boot it off the line but the assistant referee, who was right in line with the goal, signalled a goal and speaking to him after the game he said it had gone a good foot over the line. 3-0. This seemed to wake Woodbridge up a bit and they finished the first half with some good football with both Banya and Seaman going close.

Half time - Brantham 3 Woodbridge 0.

Woodbridge carried that momentum into the second half and were looking that much more determined and both Sam Banya and Churchyard saw good efforts well taken by Brantham keeper Ryan Bedingfield. Midfield man David Grimwood, who was still looking groggy, came off to good reception from the Brantham supporters and he was replaced by Ben Spencer. The Brantham defence were being put under pressure but they were coping well with some sustained attacks by an eager Woodbridge team. Brantham made the game as safe as it could be with a 4th goal. From a Sean Gunn corner it was defender Adam Bloss who made a surging run to leap like the proverbial salmon to power a header into the roof of the goal, leaving the keeper clutching at fresh air. Brantham brought on subs Lewis Blanchett and Danny Garrad and both were running straight at the Woodbridge defence. Despite this set back all credit to Woodbridge who still played some good football but they just could not find a way to open their account. Towards the end, Lee Grimwood who once again seemed to cover every blade of grass with his non-stop running laid the ball into the path of Marc Lowe who hit it first time and it sailed over the bar.

Brantham - 1. Ryan Bedingfield. 2. Simon Mann.3. Andy French.4. Jack Sibbons.5. Adam Bloss. 6.Kieran Lawler. 7.Marc Lowe.8.David Grimwood. 9.Ollie Mann. 10. Lee Grimwood. 11. Sean Gunn. subs used - Ben Spencer, Lewis Blanchett, Danny Garrad, subs not used - Chris French and Nathan Munson

----------barry felgate------

CRC win match in injury added on time!!

2011-03-25T07:51:00.000-07:00

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - WEDNESDAY MARCH 23rd CRC 3 BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 1 We made the journey midweek to Cambridge to face CRC and from the start they were prepared to push men forward. Our new signing, Thomas Wray, who had a very good game at Kirkley was ruled out with a bruised foot while Andy French could not get away from London to get to the game and this meant a rather hurried shuffle round of the team for manager Tony Hall. Simon Mann dropped in at right back and Lewis Blanchett played out wide. CRC had the first real chance when a cross into our area was headed just wide by Ingrey. We had to defend in depth for the first ten minutes with CRC making ground down the flanks and causing us a few problems with their quick passing of the ball. However, we started to settle down and started to play some good attacking football. We had a couple of good chances with both Ollie Mann and Lee Grimwood going close before we took the lead through Sean Gunn, his second in as many games. The ball was laid back into the path of Sean Gunn a good 25 yards out, Sean looked up and saw the keeper just off his line and lobbed the ball over him and into the back of the net. CRC's Eades put a good cross into our area and Simon Mann, under pressure, managed to clear the ball for a corner. From the corner CRC's big centre half, Blaine Hudson, all 6 foot 5 of him. headed the ball at goal only to see it hit the bar, phew!! Brantham midfield general David Grimwood was having some problems with an injury but he still kept involved in the game and had a couple of chances to add to our score. The first caution of the game came to CRC when Lewis Blanchett turned his marker and was making ground only to be dumped onto the ground by a cynical tackle. From the free kick the ball fell to Sean Gunn who sent in a good shot on the run which the keeper managed to get to and hold. For a while we looked slightly the better side going forward and both David Grimwood and Ollie Mann had good efforts well taken by the CRC keeper. Kieran Lawler, after his great success at Kirkley, was determined to do well with a free kick about 25 yards out which he blasted at goal but with the keeper struggling the ball went just over the bar. The first half ended with a good move by us down the wing and it ended with Sean Gunn, who seemed to be popping up all over the show, putting his first time shot just over the woodwork. Half time - CRC0 Brantham 1 The second half saw CRC make changes and they pulled a goal back when from a corner the ball was played back to Brighton who made no mistake with a crisp shot into the net. Both our central men, Adam Bloss and Jack Sibbons were getting through a lot of work keeping CRC men out. Jack was called upon to make a superb clearance as the ball sped towards our goal and Jack was able to get the vital touch and clear the ball away from our goal and danger. Adam Bloss also made a telling tackle when a forward looked clean through but somehow Adam managed to get to him and with a cracking tackle took the ball clean away from him. Despite CRC running at our defence and looking composed on the ball we still had our fair share of chances. Ollie Mann made a great run down the flank and as the ball bobbled about Ollie laid it back to Lee Grimwood who hit it first time only to see it strike the woodwork. The game went into injury time, time added on by the referee, and in that time CRC grabbed two goals and the three points. The first came from a corner for CRC in the 2nd minute of injury time, Hannant lurking in the area was not picked up and he headed firmly home leaving Ryan Bedingfield no chance of stopping the ball. In the fourth minute of time added on CRC added a third goal when Hannant latched onto a through ball and he hit home from just inside the area which left our lads a bit deflated as you can imagine. From having a point in the 90th minute we had none after injury time had been added on, despite us looking at our watched every few seconds and saying " surely he must blow for full time now!!" but it was not to be. Brantham - 1.Ryan Bedingfield. 2.Lewis Blanchett. 3. Chris French. 4. Jack Sibbons. 5. Adam Bloss. 6. Simon Mann. 7.Kieran Lawler. 8. David Grimwood. 9.Ollie Mann. 10.Lee Grimwood.11. Sean Gunn. sub used - Ben Spencer. ---barry felgate---

Reserves go down to Stanway by the odd goal 2-3

2011-03-22T05:53:00.000-07:00

RIDGEONS RESERVES SOUTH - SATURDAY MARCH 19th
BRANTHAM RESERVES 2 STANWAY RESERVES 3
We went into Saturday's game without the Gaffer (writes Nathan Burrell) who was ill. We had been at Stanway a week previous and they gave us a hard game before we narrowly came out 3-2 on top , so we knew it was going to be a hard match. Not the best of starts for us as we went behind in the first couple of minutes. We gave the ball away in a dangerous position and the Stanway winger put in a decent cross and there was their striker, all alone, to head home. The first 10 minutes was the worst we have been this season but we created our first real bit of football when Danny Garrad done well getting to the line and then cutting the ball back to Ben Sparrow whose first time shot produced a fine save by the Stanway keeper. We were level after 15 minutes with this time Ben Sparrow getting to the by-line and he cut the ball back for Danny Garrad to steady himself and fire the ball home into the corner of the goal,. This should have composed us but we were not winning any first or second balls and the Stanway front two were always a danger. The last 20 minutes of the half saw us start to get to grips with the game playing some decent stuff and after making and missing chances we took the lead. The ever dangerous Ben Sparrow was brought down in the box and Ben Green stepped up to convert from the spot. We then had two glorious chances to increase our lead with both falling to young Ross Cooper. Both times Danny Garrad played the ball across the area with Ross running onto the ball, the first effort he blazed over the bar and the second attempt saw the ball cleared off the line.
Half time and Robbie and myself made it known to the boys that we had to improve and the next goal would be crucial but unfortunatelty this did not happen for us as Stanway levelled the game on 50 minutes with a poor goal from our point of view. A long punt upfield was missed by our defence and with Ross Welton coming out to block the ball it fell to a Stanway forward who rolled the ball into the empty net. We were hoping this would get the boys going but it seemed to have the opposite effect with us continuing to give the ball away and looking ragged all over the pitch. We then lost the ball in midfield on the half way line and Stanway pushed forward and their winger played a good early ball and again a forward, who was unmarked, easily headed home to give Stanway the lead. We then had a couple of good chances to bring ourselves level, firstly Shaun Webb broke into the box and the keeper made a very good save to deny Shaun. With time running out Adam Thompson broke into the box and with the defender falling to the ground Adam's shot was blocked by the hand of the defender, but for some reason the referee waved play on!!
So a disappointing result and this puts Braintree in pole position for the title with their 6 games in hand, in all honesty winning the league should now be forgotten as we have to get back to the way we were before Christmas. What is more worrying is that in the last 3 games we have conceded 3 goals each time!
There is no questoning the ability in the team but staying consistent for the entire season seems to be a mental problem and perhaps having to win and perform each week is a pressure some of the boys cannot handle, but I am equally as sure that they will do just that when they develop further.
Anway, enough of this, more importantly no football on Saturday with the next game being on Tuesday evening when we are at home to Wivenhoe Reserves.
Many thanks to Nathan Burrell for the report, I do know that sometimes when you have lost how hard it can be to compile a report, but the important thing is that people learn from the game and take the good points into the next game----barry felgate----
Brantham - 1.Ross Welton. 2.Ben Spencer. 3. Alex Drouet. 4.James Long. 5. Kevin Mann. 6.James Turner. 7. Ben Green ( 1 goal). 8.Shaun Webb. 9.Ben Sparrow. 10. Danny Garrad ( 1 goal). 11.Ross Cooper. subs - Scott Cooke, Adam Thompson and Alex Street.

Brantham thump 7 past a stunned Kirkley & Pakefield

2011-03-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

Photo= Sean Gunn who had a good match at Kirkley & Pakefield and opened the scoring for us with the first goal in the 7-0 win.

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - SATURDAY MARCH 19th KIRKLEY & PAKEFIELD 0 BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 7 We made the journey to Lowestoft looking to get back to winning ways after the defeat at the hands of Walsham - and didn't we do just that with a superb 7-0 win. The team welcomed new signing Thomas Wray to the team and he lined up in the back four. A great result for us and the entire team proved the point that they are as good as anybody in the league with a superb showing. Ryan Bedingfield, in goal, when called upon made some top class saves, while the back four of Thomas Wray, Jack Sibbons, Adam Bloss and Chris French didn't put a foot wrong and were superb in the fact that they were limiting Kirkley to a lot of long range efforts. Kieran Lawler, David Grimwood, Simon Mann and Sean Gunn patrolled the midfield and got involved in everything that was going on and they all more than played their part in the win. The two main front men, Ollie Mann and Lee Grimwood both caused the Kirkley defence a lot of problems with their direct running at goal.Ollie Mann finished on a well taken hat-trick while Lee Grimwood was rewarded for all of his non-stop running with a goal late in the game. Subs Lewis Blanchett and Andy French came on during the second half and both made their mark on the game. We started well and and within minutes Lee Grimwood was put through and shot at goal only to see the keeper Attridge make a good save. The keeper had to do the same again when when Lee and Sean Gunn combined to set Ollie Mann through on goal and the Kirkley keeper did well to get a hand to the ball let alone push it round for a corner. From the corner Adam Bloss, stationed at the far end of the goal, saw a header go just over the bar. We took the lead in the 8th minute when Lee and Ollie combined to play the ball through for Sean Gunn to run onto. Sean raced through and slotted past the oncoming keeper. David Grimwood was in the wars,getting hit in the face by the ball, and with David laying injured, for some reason the referee allowed play to continue! Ollie Mann then headed just wide and a great move ended with Simon Mann hitting the ball on the run, beating the keeper only to see it hit the woodwork. David and Ollie both had chances before we added number 2. From a throw in on the left the ball was played onto Ollie Mann who made ground, looked up and from distance sent in a great shot that beat the keeper at his near post. It was 3-0 just prior to the break when Lee and Olle combined to set Kieran Lawler off. Kieran side-stepped his marker and from a good 35 yards out sent in a blistering shot that the keeper could only help on its way into the net. We started the second half with some good passing and attacking football and Simon Mann made ground down the right, got to the edge of the box and put a teasing cross into the area and Ollie Mann beat the keeper to the ball to head firmly home. Simon Mann then made ground down the flank, beating three opponents on the way only to see Attridge in the Kirkley goal make a very good save to deny him. Ollie Mann notched up his hat-trick when he went straight at goal, held of two challenges before stroking the ball home. It was all us at this stage and Lee Grimwood went into the area, dinked past a defender as though he wasn't there only to be brought down and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped David Grimwood, made sure the ball was in the right place before blasting it home. Kirkley were starting to get into the game and had a ball cleared as it raced towards the Brantham goal line. We were still not finished and Lee Grimwood, who had run and chased the entire game, was rewarded for all of his hard work with a goal. The ball had been played back to the keeper and Lee seeing what was going on ran straight at the ball and with the keeper making a right hash of things, Lee calmly walked the ball into the back of the net. Almost at the end Ryan Crisp broke through and onto the Brantham goal and only a very good save from Bedingfield stopped him getting a consolation goal for the Royals.What a game and what a result!! Our thanks to the supporters who again made the trip to support the team and I can assure you that your support was very much appreciated.

Brantham - 1.Ryan Bedingfield. 2. Thomas Wray. 3.Chris French. 4. Jack Sibbons. 5.Adam Bloss. 6. Simon Mann. 7. Kieran Lawler. 8. David Grimwood. 9.Ollie Mann. 10. Lee Grimwood. 11. Sean Gunn. subs used - Lewis Blanchett and Andy French. Sub not used - Nathan Munson

---barry felgate---

Brantham brought down to earth with a bump!!

2011-03-14T09:54:00.002-07:00

Top photo -David Grimwood (middle) and Simon Mann (far right) working the ball past Walsham ex-Town man Gavin Johnson. Bottom photo- New signing from Wivenhoe Lewis Blanchett working hard down the flank but running up against a hard and quick tackling Walsham defence.

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - SATURDAY MARCH 12th
BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 1 WALSHAM LE WILLOWS 4
After some very good results we came back to earth with a bump as Walsham took us apart to record a deserved 4-1 win. I would like to say Walsham were lucky, but in truth they fully deserved the win. Midfield general David Grimwood, who was not feeling at all well, was determined to play if he could, and he was soon involved in things. We started brightly but it was Walsham who opened the scoring in the 8th minute (well done to Gary Mower for winning the Golden goal competition!!), We seemed to be caught at sixes and sevens as Walsham pushed forward. With us missing vital tackles the ball was played into our area and Jack Brame made no mistake with a crisp shot. Minutes later we were 2-0 down when we failed to clear the ball from our area and Ollie Hughes was in the right place at the right time to make us pay with a well taken goal from close range. We started to hit the ball about well only to go down to a third goal. Walsham had a free kick which was blasted at the Brantham goal. The ball hit the woodwork and came out and Adam Bloss, in trying to clear the ball, saw it end up in the back of our net. We started to settle down and were playing some decent football and this paid off when a good move ended with the ball at the feet of Lee Grimwood. Lee turned his marker and made ground into the area only to be brought down and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped leading scorer Ollie Mann, again making sure the ball was in the right place before blasting it past the goalkeeper's outstretched hand. Minutes later Walsham regained their three goal advantage when Brame made ground into our area and despite our man trying to play the ball Brame went to ground and the referee pointed to the spot for the second time in minutes. Cusack stepped up and hit the ball home low and hard from the spot giving Bedingfield in the Brantham goal no chance. We were not having the best of games and this was proved when Ryan Bedingfield could not hold onto the ball as he fell to the ground and a Walsham man hit it first time but luckily for us it was cleared off the line. Lewis Blanchett was getting through some hard work down the flanks but was finding it hard to get past a hard and quick tackling Walsham defence. Just before the break Ollie Mann went through and sent in a hard shot that went along the goal line and that just about summed the first half up for us. The second half saw Walsham happy to defend in depth and we came close to addy to our tally when from a Lee Grimwood corner Marc Lowe saw a great effort beat the keeper only to be cleared off the line. Towards the latter part of the match Walsham again pushed men forward with ex-Town man Gavin Johnson being involved in most of what was going on. He tried a snap shot from outside the area that Ryan Bedingfield did well to get a hand top and put it round for a corner.We had chances but it was going to be one of those days when we were just not able to make them count for anything.
Brantham - 1.Ryan Bedingfield. 2.Simon Mann. 3. Chris French. 4. Jack Sibbons. 5. Adam Bloss. 6. Kieran Lawler. 7.Marc Lowe. 8. David Grimwood. 9. Ollie Mann. 10. Lee Grimwood. 11. Lewis Blanchett. subs - Sean Gunn, Andy French and Nathan Munson.

Reserves 2-2 draw away to Witham

2011-03-14T06:47:00.000-07:00

Photo- Tom Williams who stepped in as goalkeeper in the absence of Ross Welton and Tom had a good game between the sticks making some top class saves.

RIDGEONS RESERVES -SOUTH - SATURDAY MARCH 12th
WITHAM RESERVES 2 BRANTHAM RESERVES 2
Another away day for the ressies (writes Nathan Burrell) as we travelled to Witham for another tricky looking game. Witham battered us at home a month earlier 0-3 so we knew a tough afternoon was in store. We welcomed Tom Williams in for goal for Ross Welton, who was taking his new girlfriend to Leeds to watch the Town - enough said!! Lee Willcox was playing his last game before going into hospital and we all wish him well and Lee was skipper for the day. Witham started quite brightly and young Tom Williams had a couple of early good touches. Our first real chance fell on 5 minutes when Lee Willcox broke down the left and put in a great early cross which Adam Thompson just failed to get on the end of. We then had two glorious chances to take the lead but squandered the chances on both occasions. Firstly Ben Spencer took a quick long throw and Adam Thompson shot just wide and then Lee Willcox played a lovely through ball to Alex Street who scuffed his effort past the post. We took the lead after 20 minutes when from a corner the free scoring centre back, James Long, came in at the far post and planted his header into the corner of the net. We then increased our lead 10 minutes later when Ben Sparrow broke clear and his shot was blocked by the keeper but Lee Willcox was on hand to bang the rebound in to give us a 2-0 lead. Witham, to be fair, had chances and on the stroke of half time struck our woodwork three times and on each occasion were unlucky not to have scored.
So half time and Merch and myself were fairly happy with the performance but certainly knew that this game wasn't won and stressed this fact to the boys and we all knew how important that next goal would be. The first 15 minutes of the half were pretty ordinary from both teams but we had the chance to make it 3-0 when from a Witham corner we broke down our left and the ball was played to Ben Sparrow who was bearing down on goal but his first touch took him wide and the chance was missed. The game now was becoming fairly heated with some tasty challenges going in and Witham were awarded a free kick just outside the box and with us still arguing with the decision the free kick was placed into the corner of our goal, so 1-2 and game on. Lee Willcox then came off injured and Merch came on to settle us down, but Witham were having more possession but we looked the more dangerous on the counter attack. On 35 minutes Ben Spencer smacked the cross bar with a great 25 yard effort and Ben Green smacked the rebound high and wide. Witham almost immediately broke and they also hit our cross bar with a good effort. With two minutes left Witham grabbed the equalizer with a poor goal from our point of view. A long punt upfield caught us out and we let the ball bounce and their forward outpaced us well to make the game level at 2-2. This thought wasn't the end of the action as right from our kick off we played a ball into the Witham penalty area and Kev Mann headed the ball across the goal and Ben Spencer ran past a defender to head home but was adjudged offside. So the game ended 2-2 and looking back was probably a fair result with Witham certainly causing us a few problems for the second time this season. Next week we host Stanway Reserves and with 6 games left we certainly need to win all of these to put pressure on Braintree at the top of the table.
Brantham - 1.Tom Williams. 2.Ben Spencer. 3.Scott Cooke. 4. James Lonmg (1 goal). 5.Kev Mann. 6.James Turner. 7.Ben Green. 8.Alex Street. 9.Lee Willcox (1 goal). 10.Ben Sparrow. 11. Adam Thompson. subs - Allan Merchant, Ross Cooper and Danny Garrad.
(thanks to Nathan Burrell for another good report - --barry felgate---)

Reserves grab two late goals to win at Stanway!!

2011-03-11T11:59:00.001-08:00

RIDGEONS RESERVES SOUTH - WEDNESDAY MARCH 9th
STANWAY RESERVES 2 BRANTHAM RESERVES 3
We travelled over to Stanway looking to keep the distance between ourselves and Braintree at the top of the league table ( writes Nathan Burrell). In night games in our league you are never quite sure what opposition you will be playing. With the Brantham under 18's also playing we welcomed Kieran Lawler, Sean Gunn, Andy French, Scott Cooke and Josh Mann into the squad. As expected Stanway started like a house on fire and were first to every ball and really did not allow us to get into the game. Somehow, against the run of play we took the lead on 15 minutes. The ball dropped to Lee Willcox who finished well from 15 yards out to give us the lead. Stanway heads didn't go down and they created two or three good chances with their front two giving Ben Spencer and James Long a tough game. Stanway equalized from a well worked free kick from 25 yards out, giving Ross Welton no chance at all in the Brantham goal. We started to get on the referees back due to our frustration on not being able to pick our game up and on 35 minutes the referee awarded Stanway a rather soft penalty. The Stanway forward and Ross had tangled in the box, and to our surprise the referee pointed to the spot, so half time and we were trailing 2-1 with it all do in the second half.
A few choice words were given to the team about our attitude and fair play to the boys they took our points on board and put in a much better second half display. Almost immediatley we were level when the ball fell to Lee Willcox and from a good 20 yards out Lee sent in a great shot with the ball smashing off the cross bar and bouncing on the line. Adam 'Sniffer' Thompson headed in the rebound to make sure but as we like Lee -it's his goal mate!! We were enjoying good possession and skipper James Long, who had gone close on a couple of times with decent headers, smashed home the winner with 20 minutes to go. The ball fell in front of James from a corner and he was in the right place at the right time to make sure it counted. So a 3-2 win which was a huge result bearing in mind that Braintree had beaten Ipswich Wanderers on the same night.
On Saturday we face another tough looking game when we are away to Witham Town.
Brantham. 1.Ross Welton. 2.Scott Cooke.3.Alex Drouet. 4.James Long ( 1 goal). 5.Ben Spencer. 6.James Turner. 7.Ben Green. 8.Alex Street. 9.Lee Willcox (2 goals). 10.Adam Thompson.11.Sean Gunn. subs - Kieran Lawler, Andy French and Josh Mann.
(many thanks to Nathan Burrell for a report at very short notice...barry felgate)

Brantham grab all three points in 93rd minute!!!!

2011-03-07T11:46:00.000-08:00

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - SATURDAY MARCH 5th BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 1 ELY CITY 0 We left it late in the match at home to Ely City to claim all three points, with our winning goal coming in time added on by the match referee (93rd minute I have been informed). For the first time we could watch a game without getting soaked through and despite the persistent drizzle the supporters from both teams enjoyed the game. Ely started the game quickly and within minutes a free kick from Parkinson went just wide of our post. We hit back with a good move involving Simon Mann and Lee Grimwood and the ball was hit towards the near post of the Ely goal and the Ely keeper got to it just seconds before Ollie Mann did. Five minutes later we had a free kick a good 25 yards out. Ollie Mann stepped up, lined his shot up, and sent a fierce shot that the keeper just managed to steer round the post. Ely's Mason was put through but hurried his shot and put it wide of our goal. Minutes later Chris French hesitated a tackle and this gave Bridgeman the chance to send in a hard shot that our keeper Ryan Bedingfield did well to push round for a corner. Lewis Blanchett, playing wide, tormented his marker with some great ball control and at times the Ely man was forced to dive in to try and stop him. The half ended with both teams looking good going forward but both solid in defence. Ely's two big centreal defenders, Murdy and Lawrence, were doing a good job of keeping Ollie Mann off the score sheet at the break. The second half started with us looking that bit more determined and a good corner from Lee Grimwood was well taken by the Ely custodian. Our Adam Bloss and Ely's Robbie Mason then got in a tangle and with the free kick being given to us the Ely man turned on Adam Bloss and seemed to throw a punch. This was spotted by the assistant who called the referee over and the Ely player was shown the red card, something by listening to comments, did not please some of his team mates as he trudged off. Ely sub Ebanks-Blake went through and tried a shot on the run that was not that far wide. At the other end Ollie Mann latched onto a superb Marc Lowe pass and Ollie turned his marker and sent in hard shot which was matched by a good save by the Ely keeper. The Ely keeper was making sure he kept the Brantham fans behind his goal informed of what was going on and everybody, including the keeper, was enjoying the banter. We then lost Lewis Blanchett who had skipped past one man only to be scythed down by a defender and even after treatment Lewis could not carry on and he to be replaced. Midfield dynamo David Grimwood combined with brother Lee Grimwood in a good move that ended with Lee hitting his shot just over the bar. Lee turned provided minutes later when he put through the perfect ball for Ollie Mann to run onto and Ollie's shot looked a goal until the Ely keeper, somehow,managed to stop and hold the ball. With the game going into time added on by the referee we finally made the breakthrough. A good through ball from midfield was played to the edge of the area and Lee Grimwood was the quickest to react and he latched onto the ball and made ground into the area only to be brought down by the keeper. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and during the heated arguments from the Ely players the only one who seemed to be ice cool was our Ollie Mann.Ollie took his time, got the ball in the right spot, made sure his boots were clean and then blasted the ball home into the back of the net. Brantham - 1.Ryan Bedingfield. 2.Simon Mann. 3. Chris French. 4. Jack Sibbons. 5. Adam Bloss.6. Kieran Lawler. 7. Marc Lowe. 8. David Grimwood.9.Ollie Mann. 10.,Lee Grimwood. 11. Lewis Blanchett. subs used - Sean Gunn. Subs not used - Shaun Webb and Andy French. ----barry felgate---- Next two games - March 12th - Brantham versus Walsham le Willows at Brantham. March 19th - Kirkley and Pakefield versus Brantham - at Lowestoft (there is a coach going to this game and there will be room for supporters to travel with the team)

Reserves good win away from home.

2011-03-07T11:18:00.000-08:00

RIDGEONS RESERVES -SOUTH - SATURDAY FEBRUARY 5th

HAVERHILL RESERVES 2 BRANTHHAM RESERVES 3

We travelled over to the new home of Haverhill Rovers (writes Nathan Burrell) for this first versus second top of the table clash. The day started badly with Alex Street getting lost and calling yours truly for directions which is not a good move and we also had the 'gaffer' running late trying to locate the ground. We all eventually arrived around 14.15 pm so it was surprising how well we started the game. The first chance came our way when Alex Street showed a great touch to bring the ball down and play in Ben Sparrow who shot just over. Against the run of play Haverhill took the lead when we failed to clear on two occasions on the edge of our box and the ball found its way to their forward who finished well past Ross Welton into the corner of the net. The game was a tight affair with both teams playing 4-5-1 systems and play was being concentrated mainly in midfield. Our next chance fell on the 25th minute when Ben Spencer played a glorious cross first time on the run and there was young James Turner to volley in from 15 yards to draw us level at 1-1. We took the lead on 35 minutes when Ben Green played Ben Sparrow down the line and Ben's pace took him into the box only for the Haverhill defender to bring him down for a penalty. Up stepped the maverick that is Ben Green and he coolly slotted the penalty away to give us the lead. Just as we thought we would be going in at the break with our noses in front Haverhill caught us with a sucker-punch right on half time when we failed to pick up their forward and a simple give and go beat our back line and the Haverhill player made it all square.

Half time and we weren't disappointed with the first half performance but we knew we had to up the tempo to get the vital 3 points. The second half to be fair was all Haverhill pressure but without really testing Ross Welton in the Brantham goal. The winner,which came our way, came in the 75th minute when a poor header back to the Haverhill keeper was intercepted by Ben Sparrow who beat the keeper to the ball to give us the lead. Five minutes later Haverhill struck our post with a great shot from the edge of the box and in the closing minutes young Ross Cooper beat the offside trap to strike the Haverhill woodwork.

So we returned with 3 vital points and I hate to mention individual players but thought that young James Turner and Lee Willcox were magnificent in midfield and the returning James Long was superb at the back, not losing a header all game. But honestly this was a good team performance with everybody getting 7 out of 10.

Wednesday night we are away to Stanway so need to keep the wins coming.

Brantham - 1.Ross Welton. 2.Ben Spencer. 3.Alex Drouet. 4.James Long. 5.Kevin Mann. 6.Lee Willcox. 7.Ben Green (1 goal). 8.James Turner (1 goal). 9.Ben Sparrow (1 goal). 10.Alex Street. 11.Danny Garrad. subs - James Glen, Stuart Macfarlane and Ross Cooper.

(Thanks to Nathan Burrell for another top class report and a top class showing by the team,-well done----barry felgate-----)

Mann's treble top as Brantham win ten goal thriller!!

2011-02-28T09:16:00.000-08:00

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - SATURDAY FEBRUARY 26th
BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 6 HISTON RESERVES 4
"Mann's treble top as Brantham win ten goal thriller" (headline borrowed from Ipswich Evening Star).
We picked up a hard worked for 6-4 win after having been behind 3-1 at one stage in this game. But the win was at a cost, with the popular Jono Crouch suffering a bad leg injury towards the latter part of the game.It was confirmed later that Jono had broke the fibula in the lower part of his leg and I am sure that we all here at Brantham wish him a safe and speedy recovery, and no doubt he will be missed.
The game was played in almost monsoon conditions and all credit to groundsman Alan Clarke and his band of helpers, who for the second week, spent a lot of time getting the pitch in a playable condition, well done and thanks gents.
0-1. Histon took the lead after 3 minutes when Tidswell was put clean through and he hit home from inside the box. We pushed forward and a shot on the run from Ollie Mann saw the Histon keeper go full stretch to hit it away as Lee Grimwood closed in to hit the ball home. Lee then saw a good shot on the run well taken by the Histon keeper while at the other end Unwin put his shot over the Brantham bar.
1-1. We drew level with a well worked goal. The ball was played into the path of Lee Grimwood who jinked past one man before sending a superb shot into the far corner of the goal. Minutes later the ball was laid back for a Histon man to hurry his shot and put it wide. Lee Grimwood then sent a scorching 25 yard shot which the Histon keeper did well to tip over the bar. New signing Lewis Blanchett was causing Histon problems with his direct running down the flank and was unlucky when a great shot on the run looked a goal until, somehow, the Histon keeper managed to tip that over the bar as well!!
1-2.Histon regained the lead when Tidswell played the ball into the path of Asensi who hit it home at the near post. We then lost midfield man David Grimwood with injury as Asensi saw a fierce drive clip the Brantham post while at the other end Lee Grimwood saw a good free kick bundled away for a corner.
1-3. Histon increased their lead when Tidswell and Asensi combined for Asensi to get the final touch and hit home past the oncoming Ryan Bedingfield. Our Andy French was then hurt in a tumble with Ryan Bedingfield with Andy having to be replaced by brother Chris French.
2-3. We pulled a second goal back almost on half time when our "dynamic duo" of Lee Grimwood and Ollie Man went forward as one. Lee played the perfect through ball for Ollie Mann to run onto a through ball and hit home at the far post.
With the rain still pelting down we started the second half looking to get back onto even terms and started with a good shot from Lee Grimwood beating the keeper at his near post only to finish up on top of the net.
2-4. Histon hit back almost straight away and a good three man move ended with Andy Tidswell being given time and space to pick his spot and beating Ryan Bedingfield at his near post. Lee Grimwood then set up Sean Gunn who hit a hard shot that was only inches over the bar.
3-4. We pulled a third goal back when Lee Grimwood left two defenders in knots with his twisting and turning in the area only to be brought down from behind and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. With David Grimwood off the pitch up stepped Ollie Mann to hammer it home low and hard. This seemed to knock Histon a bit and we looked much quicker to the ball going forward.
4-4. We were level when a good move down the wing saw Ollie Mann latch onto the ball and beat his man before sending a ball deep across the goal area and Adam Bloss who was in the right place at the right time powered a bullet of a header into the roof of the net.
5-4. We took the lead for the first time in the game when a good move through midfield saw the ball played into the Histon area and the livewire Lee Grimwood made no mistake from close range. There was then a long delay after Histon's Verrall and our Jono Crouch collided and straight away you could see that both players had problems. The Histon lad was helped off the pitch while Jono was taken off on a stretcher. We learnt later that Jono had suffered a break to the bottom part of his fibula and will be out for a while.
6-4. We finished the match on a high and with a sort of goal that you see on television when things don't got to plan. The Histon keeper had made his way upfield only for the ball to be cleared into the Histon area. Shaun Webb, who was behind the ball when it was played,so could not be offside, set off on a run (remember he was a cross country champion and had represented Gt Britain) and he beat everybody to the ball and with the goalkeeper starting to run back Shaun hit it at goal only to see it get as far as the goal line and then stop dead in the mud. Shaun started to run again but Ollie Mann had also seen what had happened and also started to run and he reached the ball just before Shaun and Ollie hammered it home,almost breaking the back of the net with his shot.
Thanks to the hardy 76 souls who came along to watch the game in terrible conditions and also to the players and three match officials who allowed the game ( and the rain at times!!) to flow.
Brantham - 1.Ryan Bedingfield. 2. Jono Crouch. 3. Andy French. 4. Jack Sibbonbs. 5.Adam Bloss. 6.Kieran Lawler. 7. Simon Mann. 8. David Grimwood. 9.Ollie Mann. 10.Lewe Grimwood.11. Lewis Blanchett. subs used - Sean Gunn, Chris French and Shaun Webb. subs not used - Danny Garrad and Nathan Munson.
---barry felgate--

Ollie The Mann as Brantham fightback against leaders!!!

2011-02-21T11:30:00.000-08:00

Brantham's two goal man,Ollie Mann (left), seen receiving an award from ex England international and Ipswich Town legend Kevin Beattie at the start of this season.

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION- SATURDAY FEBRUARY 19th
BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 3 LEISTON 3
Headline from EADT/Ipswich Evening Star" - "Ollie The Mann as Brantham fightback against leaders!.
We were at home to current league leaders Leiston last Saturday on a cold and wet afternoon. The main reason the game was played was that pitch supremo Alan Clarke spent a lot of the morning and a lot of time during the afternoon ensuring the playing surface was passed by the referee for the game to go ahead, which it did!. We had our biggest gate of the season when 155 hardy souls turned out to watch and they were treated to a very good game and six goals. We went on the attack from the first whistle and went 1-0 up within a few minutes. The ball was played into the Leiston area and Ollie Mann latched onto the ball, turned, and put it home away in style inside the area. We might have added a second when Ollie Mann was again put through and sent in a fierce shot which Stannard in the Leiston goal did well to parry round for a corner. Leiston quickly got into the game and a good move saw Ottley-Gooch run at our goal only for Adam Bloss, making a welcome return from illness, to make a superbly timed tackle to stop him. Leiston's Gareth Heath was then put through but shot straight at keeper Bedingfield. Leiston upped their work rate and drew level with a very good goal, with two former Brantham players being involved.Patrick Brothers played a good ball through to Michael Brothers, who sidestepped a tackle., and from well outside the area sent a great shot into the top corner of the net,leaving Brantham keeper No chance at all. Lee Grimwood then saw a good shot on the run well stopped by Jamie Stannard while at the other end Heath saw an acrobatic overhead kick go just wide of the upright. We lost influential midfield man Marc Lowe just after the restart and he was replaced by Simon Mann, making a welcome return from a long injury problem. Leiston pushed forward and after a good move Danny Cunningham broke through and sent in hard shot on the run that clipped the Brantham bar. He made up for that minutes later when he was in the right place at the right time to hit a great volley into the far corner. Minutes later it was 3-1 to Leiston. A ball was played across the Brantham area and it travelled to the far post where Gareth Heath finished with a superb and clinicial finish. Leiston had further chances but were not able to make them count. We pulled a second goal back when a free kick from Lee Grimwood was played towards goal and Leiston keeper Stannard and Head got in each other's way and it ended up in the net. If Head had got a touch,it must have been the feintest of touches, and talking to people behind that goal a lot thought that he did not get a touch on the ball and it was going in anway, so you can bet Lee Grimwood is claiming that one. Leiston again created chances but these were being snatched at. Our new signing, Lewis Blanchett from Wivenhoe, came on for us and soon got involved in the action and he linked up well with Ollie Mann. With just minutes left we grabbed the equaliser with a goal that would have graced the Premiership. We had a free kick about 25 yards out and at an awkward angle from the goal. Our Ollie Mann took his time, sized things up and then sent in a blistering shot into the top corner of the net, what a goal and what a cheer that went up from the home supporters!. Once the Brantham team had all gotten up after jumping on Olle the game carried on for a couple of minutes before the referee blew his whistle.

Brantham - 1.Ryan Bedingfield. 2.Jono Crouch. 3.Andy French. 4. Jack Sibbons. 5.Adam Bloss. 6.Kieran Lawler. 7.Marc Lowe. 8. David Grimwood. 9.Ollie Mann. 10.Lee Grimwood. 11,Sean Gunn. subs used -Simon Mann and Lewis Blanchett. subs not used - Shaun Webb, Chris French and Kieron Smith-Edwards.

--barry felgate--

Brantham go down 5-1 away to Norwich United

2011-02-14T08:43:00.000-08:00

Photo - skipper Simon Mann who made a welcome return to the team after almost 7 weeks out with injury. Simon was the recipient of an over the top tackle at Wivenhoe and despite their people saying it wasn't that bad Simon suffered a hair-line fracture of the ankle and ligament damages! Simon came on during the second half and looked glad just to be back playing football.

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - SATURDAY FEBRUARY 12th

NORWICH UNITED 5 BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 1

The previous week we had notched up 3 league wins and we travelled to Norwich United looking to build on those results. However, that was not to be, as once the euphoria of those three matches had died down we were hit by a fast running Norwich team, and with some of our players not playing to the capabilities we know they are more than capable of ,it was always going to be a struggle. To be honest if it had not been for goalkeeper Ryan Bedingfield making some great saves we well could have gone down by 9 or 10-1! The only positive was Simon Mann back in the squad after being out injured for almost seven weeks. Manager Tony Hall had to make one change with Adam Bloss falling ill and he was replaced in the back four by Andy French. We started with the first real chance after 5 minutes when a cross from Jono Crouch went just over the bar. Norwich hit back in numbers and took the lead three minutes later. The ball was played high into the Brantham area and defender Andy French, trying to clear the ball, could only help it on the way into the top corner of the goal. Norwich were dictating the pace of the game and they added a second when King was given space to run through and beat Ryan Bedingfield at his near post. Ryan then made two great saves, one almost at point blank range, to deny Claydon and Foster but even he could not do anything when Fox was allowed to run through the middle and beat his marker before hitting home from inside the area. David Grimwood made a good run through on goal only to see his shot deflected for a corner. Norwich made it 4-0 at the restart when King ran through,brushed aside two challenges before hitting home from close range. We started to get back into the game and a sharp shot from Kieran Lawler was not that far wide of the mark. We finally found the back of the net when a good move down the middle saw Ollie Mann play the ball into the area.The ball was then cleared to the edge of the area where Lee Grimwood latched onto it,made up a bit of ground and lined his shot up and put it away in style. Norwich then had Clarke sent off after he had brought Ollie Mann down on the edge of the area, denying Ollie a goalscoring opportunity. From the resultant free kick Ollie saw his effort saved at the second attempt by the keeper.This seemed to pick us up a bit and we started to knock the ball about and play the football we know we are capable of. The ball was played over the top and Ollie Mann latched onto it and sent a shot in towards the top far corner of the goal only to see it hit the top of the stanchion before being cleared, and that just about summed our day up. Just as we were starting to play some good,passing football a Brantham defender played the ball into the path of Cory, who must have thought Christmas had come early. He didn't even have to break stride before bearing down on our goal and despite Ryan coming out to try and narrow the angle the Norwich man hit it home into the near corner. Our thanks again to the few hardy souls who made the journey to watch the game.

Brantham - 1. Ryan Bedingfield. 2.Jono Crouch. 3.Chris French. 4.Jack Sibbons.5.Andy French. 6. Kieran Lawler. 7.Marc Lowe. 8. David Grimwood. 9.Ollie Mann. 10. Lee Grimwood. 11.Sean Gunn. subs (all used) Simon Mann, Keiron Smith Edwards and Shaun Webb.

-----barry felgate----

Reserves lose away to Braintree- but what about Nathan's goal!!!!

2011-02-08T04:45:00.000-08:00

Photo - reserve team assistant manager Nathan Burrell who sent in another great report, not mincing his words after the 4-1 defeat at the hands of Braintree. Nathan also mentioned,probably, the best goal seen at the club when he ( Nathan that is!!) scored a belter of a goal for the Brantham Vets in their 2-0 win against Chilton Vets. He also makes the point if people don't believe how good a goal it was then to have a word with Alan Clarke and Joe Riley who were both chain smoking at the time and when they saw the goal they nearly swallowed their ciggies due to the quick feet and quality of the strike from Nathan!! ( modesty personified- that is our Nathan !! -as long as we know!!)

RIDGEONS RESERVES SOUTH - SATURDAY FEBRUARY 5th
BRAINTREE RESERVES 4 BRANTHAM RESERVES 1
We travelled over to Braintree for the return leg of our encounters with Braintree Town,looking to build on the great win the previous week. We started with the same team with the exception of James Turner coming in for Lee Willcox and Danny Garrad coming in for Alex Stocker, who started on the bench. As expected Braintree were well up for the game and from the off were faster to the ball and showed a greater hunger to win second balls and it took us a good ten minutes to settle down. Braintree were having more of the possession and were looking dangerous down the flanks and we just couldn't seem to get to grips with their attacking formation. We did, however, have the first real chance of the match when Ben Green broke down the right and fired in a great shot which was headed off the line. Braintree tested Ross Welton a couple of times which Ross did well to gather and on 15 minutes we had another glorious chance, against the run of play it must be said, when Alex Street sent in a fantastic free kick which James Turner headed just inches wide. That was as good as it got in the first half with Braintree scoring 3 times. The first two goals were simple,we gave the ball away and lost all of our shape and Braintree used speed down the flanks to cause us problems. This allowed them to break at us and that gave their forwards the chance to finish easily, the 3rd goal right on half time and I have to say it was a superb finish from their number 10 who lobbed Ross Welton from all of 25 yards!
Half time and a few words were said in the dressing room and it was stressed our work rate and passing had to improve. To be honest the second half was slighlty better but that was also down to Braintree taking their foot off the gas. Five minutes into the second half Braintree added their fourth when some slack defending gave their forward a sight of goal and he finished it off with the help of a big Ben Spencer deflection. We huffed and puffed for the rest of the half without putting more than 4 passes together but we did add a consolation goal from young Ross Cooper. Alex Stocker did well and robbed the Braintree keeper but his shot came off the post and Ross was on hand to hit it home.
So our second defeat of the season, but no need to panic, we lost to a very good side, but we need to show the determination and work rate which we have shown in previous weeks, hopefully this will happen when we entertain Witham Reserves on Tuesday evening at Brantham.
Brantham - 1.Ross Welton. 2.Ben Spencer. 3.Alex Drouet. 4.James Long. 5.Kevin Mann. 6.James Turner. 7.Ben Green. 8.Alex Street. 9.Ben Sparrow. 10.Adam Thomposon. 11. Danny Garrad.
subs. 12. Ross Cooper (1 goal). 14. Alex Stocker. 15.Allan Merchant.
---barry felgate---

Brantham hit five against Wroxham

2011-02-07T05:48:00.000-08:00

Photo- central defender Jack Sibbons who had a good match at the back for us against a fast running Wroxham team

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION -= SATURDAY FEBRUARY 5th BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 5 WROXHAM 2
What a week this match ended off for Brantham - 3 wins- 13 goals scored and only 4 against in 270 minutes of football and two of those wins against teams at the very top end of the table, and let's hope this good run carries on for a long time! Both teams went forward from the start with both Ollie Mann and Lee Grimwood looking dangerous when they had the ball while for Wroxham Danny Bloomfield looked good going forward but neither team was able to make anything count until the 12th minute when we took the lead. Ollie Mann chased the ball down the left flank and took the ball almost to the flag and the by-line before hitting a superb shot from next door to the flag and the ball went along the by-line and past the startled keeper and finished up in the back of the net. We had our tails up now and a good run by Ollie Mann ended with the ball put over for Lee Grimwood to run onto but Lee hurried his shot and the ball went wide of the post. Wroxham were still looking dangerous going forward but despite having chances they just could not find the back of the net with a hard working Branthamn back four keeping them at bay with some telling and timely tackles. We made it 2-0 when Ollie Mann went forward and sent in a fierce shot that the keeper could not hold and as the ball came back out off the keeper it was Lee Grimwood who was in the right place at the right time to hit the ball home into the back of the net. There was a delay while midfielder David Grimwood received some treatment after he had been bundled over and despite David being the innocent party the referee seemed to spend a lot of time talking to him rather than the original offender! The second half started with us adding a third goal. Sean Gunn made ground down the wing and played the ball across for Kieran Lawler to latch onto and Kieran in turn teed up the ball for Marc Lowe to hit on the run leaving the Wroxham keeper clutching at fresh air. Wroxham were still creating chances but things would just not run their way. We added a fourth goal when David Grimwood did the hard work before making ground towards the Wroxham area. He dinked the ball into the area and Lee Grimwood latched onto the loose ball and hit it home in style. We seemed to stand back a bit after this and credit to Wroxham who pulled a well worked goal back when the ball was played into our area and Gavin Lemmon turned his man and hit home from close range for a well taken goal. Unluckiest player in the game had to be one of our subs, Keiron Smith-Edwards, who despite not getting on during the game was cautioned for kicking the ball away on the touch line- how unlucky can you get!!. We started to pick the pace of the game up again and a good pass from Ollie Mann saw Kieran Lawler running in but a defender saw what was going on and cleared the ball in the nick of time. Andy French came on to help out in midfield,replacing the livewire Lee Grimwood who had run himself to a standstill and Andy was soon involved in the action and playing some top class through balls for his fellow attackers. Wroxham added a second goal when Gavin Lemmon was given time and space to turn his marker and send in a great strike into the top corner of the goal, leaving Ryan Bedingfield no chance at all. This seemed to wake us up and we made it a nap hand of goals when a great through ball was played into the Wroxham area. Both the keeper and a defender tried to clear it,but seemed to get in each others way and Ollie Mann soon latched onto the loose ball and thump it home. Towards the end Ollie Mann broke through and let fly with a superb shot which was matched by a superb save from Scott Howie in the Wroxham goal.
Brantham - 1.Ryan Bedingfield. 2.Jono Crouch. 3. Chris French. 4. Jack Sibbons. 5.Adam Bloss. 6.Kieran Lawler. 7. Marc Lowe. 8. David Grimwood. 9.Ollie Mann. 10. Lee Grimwood. 11.Sean Gunn. sub used - Andy French. subs not used- Lee Willcox, Keiron Smith-Edwards and Nathan Munson.
---barry felgate---

Shaun Webb goes nap in Under 18's match!!!!

2011-02-04T11:27:00.000-08:00

Photo -left- Shaun Webb is the runner on the left hand side of the photo when running in a competition. Photo ( above right) - action from the game against Felixstowe & Walton with Shaun Webb heading his first goal of thge evening.

RIDGEONS UNDER 18's= WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 2nd

FELIXTOWE & WALTON under 18's 0 BRANTHAM under 18's 5

Brantham under 18's picked up a very good result away to Felixstowe & Walton under 18's last Wednesday evening. The big difference in the match was that Shaun Webb got all 5 of the Brantham goals, not a bad achievement. No doubt Shaun will say that it is a team game and without other players he would not have scored, and below are some of the details of Shaun's five goal nap hand. Shaun was very modest about his five goal tally, and it does not matter what level you play at to still get five goals is not a bad achievement.

Goal 1- A corner put over by the livewire Danny Garrad and Shaun was in the right place at the right time to head it home.

Goal 2- A very good run from Alex Stocker and a shot on the run that hit a defender and the ball bounced out to Shaun on the edge of the area and Shaun hit it first time into the bottom corner of the net.

Goal 3- this goal came from a cross by Stevie. Shaun chested the cross into the air and on the volley hit the ball home into the top corner.

Goal 4- a through ball from Danny Garrad and Shaun chipped the keeper inb a one-on-one situation.

Goal 5- a great shot on the turn by Danny Garrad beat the keeper but hit the post and bounced out to Shaun and from a few yards from goal Shaun tucks it away.

In the photos above you can see Shaun running and I am sure that some of you know that Shaun was a very successful runner and represented his country three times, once in the Czech Republic. Shaun travelled all over the country to compete with dad Rod and mum Janet keeping an eye on things. Shaun picked up some impressive wins and titles and is still involved in running.

Thanks to Shaun's family for the photos.

---barry felgate----

Brantham grab second win on the trot!!!

2011-02-04T06:28:00.000-08:00

Photo -left- defender Jono Crouch who had a solid match at the back. Photo ( top -right )- Sean Gunn who set us on our way with a hard shot from a good 25 yards out that went into the goal low and hard,with Sean's shot leaving the keeper no chance.

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 2nd
WALSHAM LE WILLOWS 1 BRANTHAM 3

There was a minutes silence and a presentation in memory of the four men from the area who had died in a recent accident. I am sure that everybody within Brantham Athletic and football in general pass our condolences onto the families.
Brantham picked up their second league win in five days with a hard worked for 3-1 win away to Walsham le Willows. The ground was looked at by the match referee a couple of times but in the end he gave the nod for the game to go ahead. We started off quickly and had the first real chance when the ball was played through to Ollie Mann and Ollie had to go wide to collect the ball and his effort from an awkward angle went over the bar. Both teams were coming to terms with the heavy pitch but it was us who broke the deadlock. A good move saw the ball played into the Walsham area and during the melee the ball was cleared out of the area. It fell straight into the path of Sean Gunn, who from a good 25 yards out, drilled the ball home low and hard into the far corner,leaving the keeper no chance. We then had the shouts from the Brantham supporters - "Gun(n) rifles home straight and true" or from Graham Mower " Gun(n) hits the target with a well placed shot"!!.0-1. This seemed to knock our opponents back a bit and a good move forward saw Ollie Mann lay the ball back for Chris French, moving up from the back, to latch onto but a Walsham saw what was going on and just beat Chris to the ball. Walsham started to come forward in numbers and from a corner the ball was played away from the goal and Soanes hit a good shot at goal that was stopped on our goal line. Moments later Walsham pushed forward and a hard shot looked like it might go in but Jono Crouch managed to get a foot to it and deflect the ball out for a corner. The Brantham goal was living a bit dangerously at times and keeper Ryan Bedingfield was called on to go this way and then that way to keep the ball from crossing the line a couple of times. Walsham drew level with a well worked goal with the ball ending with McLaughlin who shot home through a crowded area. 1-1. Walsham felt they should have had a penalty after a player was brought down, but the referee who was right up with play, waved play on, much to their disbelief as you can imagine! After the break we started to hit the ball about well with both Ollie Mann and Lee Grimwood getting through a lot of work. Kieran Lawler was put through but from a distance he put his shot wide of the target. A Sean Gunn corner was put just wide by an onrushing Adam Bloss while at the other end of the field Walsham's McLaughlin put a header wide of the post. Minutes later Soanes broke through and with Ryan Bedingfield playing his own personal game of keep-up with the ball, somehow Soanes could not force the ball over the line. Bedingfield was called into action again minutes later with a great stop almost on the line from a close range effort by Johnson. Walsham then had Musgrave sent off for a second cautionable offence after he had brought a Brantham man down from behind. From the resultant free kick Ollie Mann lined the ball up and his shot beat the keeper only to hit the woodwork . We regained the lead when Lee Grimwood put a corner deep towards the far end of the Walsham goal and Adam Bloss ran in and headed a superb goal into the opposite far top corner of the goal. You could sense that this knocked Walsham back yet again and we started to hit the ball about well. It was 3-1 in our favour with a goal from midfield maestro David Grimwood. David broke down field and from outside the area he switched from one foot to the other and with the keeper seeming to keep an eye for one side of the goal David dinked a shot into the far top corner, finishing with his trademark smile to let us all he had scored. David did say after the game that he had intended to put the ball exactly where it finished up in the back of the goal ,but was not sure if it would make it, but much to his and our relief it did in style!!
Our thanks to all at Walsham for their hospitality and we know that our next match will be a hard match at home to Wroxham and we are all keeping everything we have crossed that it is going to be a third win on the bounce- I am sure it will not be for the lack of trying by the team!
Brantham - 1.Ryan Bedingfield. 2.Jono Crouch. 3.Chris French. 4.Jack Sibbons. 5.Adam Bloss. 6.Kieran Lawler. 7.Marc Lowe. 8.David Grimwood. 9.Ollie Mann. 10. Lee Grimwood. 11. Sean Gunn. subs - Keiron Smith-Edwards, Andy French and Lee Willcox.
-----barry felgate----

Reserves cement place at top of the table!!

2011-02-02T06:26:00.000-08:00

Photo opposite - The "Dynamic Duo" in charge of the reserve team.Left of photo is Allan Merchant who has just celebrated a birthday while on the right is the man who covers all the reports for the reserve team matches , assistant manager Nathan Burrell and what a great team these two make,well done gentlemen.
RIDGEONS RESERVES LEAGUE SOUTH- SATURDAY JANUARY 28th
BRANTHAM RESERVES 1 BRAINTREE RESERVES 0
I will start this report off by apologising to Nathan Burrell, who I mistakenly called Nathan Munson in the last report (which has now been rectified-) so here we go again with another great report from Nathan Burrell. After seeing off Sudbury in mid-week we welcomed the only other team that could match our points tally if they won their three games in hand, Braintree, and with the Gaffers son Arron Hall returning in goal for Braintree it made for an interesting afternoon. We started the game on the front foot taking the game to Braintree and the pace and movement of Ben Sparrow and Adam Thompson early on did cause the Braintree people a few problems.We had a superb chance in the first five minutes when Lee Willcox played a lovely ball over the top to Ben Sparrow who got between the two Braintre centre backs only to be hauled back which resulted in him fluffing his shot, a definate penalty, but somehow the referee thought otherwise. Our next attack and Adam Thompson was found in the box from a long Ben Spencer throw-in and Adam was bundled to the ground.I personally thought this was not as clear cut as the first appeal but the referee, this time, pointed to the spot. Up stepped Ben Green who sent the ball into the corner giving Arron Hall no chance at all. Braintree then started to get into the game and got down our right hand side and their forward sent in a great shot only for Alex Drouet to brilliantly clear off the line. Play was mainly in midfield with both teams failing to take a grip on the game and we also seemed to take our foot off the gas after the opening 20 minutes of the half and this allowed Braintree more possession. They should have levelled when they broke down the left flank and Brantham skipper James Long tugged their striker back about 10 yards outside the box only for the forward to keep on running and then falling over 10 yards inside the box. With the referee blowing his whistle we all thought he was going to caution their striker for simulation, but he amazingly pointed to the spot.Luckily the penalty was sent the wrong side of the post and we remained in the lead. With 5 minutes of the half remaining Ben Spencer curled a great cross and Kev Mann got in front of his marker to power a header against the bar.
So half time and we held a narrow advantage but we knew the second half would be a tight affair, so we asked the boys to put in another huge half to give us the vital 3 points. We had the two wise men in at half time, and Robbie and Skinz made some great points which the boys took on board. The second half was a half of very few chances,and in fact as I write this and look at my note pad ,there was only one of any great note when Ben Spencer headed a corner just wide.As you would expect Braintree had more of the possession but really failed to create any real chances with the back four of Spencer,Long,Mann and Drouet all superb.Special mention to the player that is Kev Mann who at one point, single handed I might add, stopped a Braintree break with 3 attackers against him,and which he came out on top twice. So a huge 3 points which leaves us 12 points clear at the top of the table and on Saturday we again face Braintree for the last of the big double headers. Special mention Aaron Hall, who held his head high and was gracious in defeat and he also had a decent game.
Lastly I would like to wish my old mate and gaffer, Allan Merchant, a happy 39th birthday, ONLY JOKING, the old fella with the beard is 35,so I am looking forward to lining up with him for the Vets on a Sunday.
Brantham team - 1.Ross Welton. 2.Ben Spencer. 3.Alex Drouet. 4.James Long. 5.Kevin Mann. 6.Alex Street. 7.Ben Green (1 goal). 8.Lee Willcox. 9.Ben Sparrow. 10.Adam Thompson. 11-Alex Stocker. subs - James Turner, Ross Cooper and Allan Merchant.
Thanks to Nathan Burrell for the report and at the top end of the report there is a photo of Nathan (just in case I get him mixed up with the other one again!!)and birthday lad Allan----barry felgate--

Brantham go nap away to League leaders Dereham

2011-01-31T07:18:00.000-08:00

The two Brantham front runners who led the Dereham defence a merry dance in this match, hitting the five goals between them. On the left is Lee Grimwood who scored a well deserved and superb hat-trick while on the right is Ollie Mann who netted a brace with two great goals and to be honest both could have had more on the day!! They run and chase for each other and will pass the ball if either thinks the other has a better chance than him,. and that is what team football is all about..

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - SATURDAY JANUARY 29th
DEREHAM TOWN 1 BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 5
Brantham (sponsored by Kensington) made the trip to Dereham and they went there knowing it was going to be a hard game against the current league leaders.However, in the end it was us who looked by far the better side and we ran out 5-1 winners,which I can assure shocked the Dereham supporters and management. We settled down from the start and had an early chance when the ball was played through to Ollie Mann who sent in a hard shot that the keeper did well to put round for a corner. Dereham had height in their side,but early on they didn't seem able to make that count. We deservedly took the lead when a good three man move and the ball ended up with the livewire Lee Grimwood who smashed it home. Dereham were creating chances but just could not seem to make them count with our back four of Jono,Jack,Adam and Chris French, doing a great job in shutting them down. We were still pushing men forward in search of a second goal and Ollie Mann seemed to go through two men before hitting the ball at goal and the keeper just managed to get hold of it at the second attempt. David Grimwood then got in on the action when a good through ball picked him up on the edge of the area and under pressure David's shot was not that far wide. We almost added a second early on when the ball was played towards the edge of the Dereham area and Sean Gunn latched onto the ball and made ground towards goal. He hit the ball at the top of the goal only to see it clip the bar and it came down for a very relieved Dereham keeper to get hold of it and clear the ball. Sean was involved again moments later when some great play down the flank by Ollie Mann saw the ball cut back across goal for Sean Gunn to run onto but he hit his shot well over the bar. At the other end Dereham's Reeves went close and minutes later leading goalscorer Danny Beaumont was put through but Ryan Bedingfield narrowed the angle and Beaumont saw his shot go wide of the post. Ollie Mann got involved again when he seemed to tie up two defenders in knots before hitting the ball at goal only to see the keeper make a top class save. Back at the other end Dereham's Beaumont was again put through on the Brantham goal only to see his effort go just inches wide. Half time came with Brantham still looking the better side all round but they again knew that Dereham would come at them from the re-start. Dereham did just that and grabbed an equaliser when a good move saw Beaumont play the ball into the area and Ollie Thompson was the first to react and put the ball in the back of the Brantham net. Dereham people thought that this was the start of a come-back by their side but they were going to be sadly disappointed as it was Brantham who picked the game up by the scruff of the neck and made all the running. We regained the lead when a good move involving Ollie Mann, Kieran Lawler and Gunn saw the ball laid off for Lee Grimwood to thrash home. We had two more good chances before we made it 3-1. This time it was some magic football from Marc Lowe who set off Ollie Mann on a great run and Ollie sidestepped opne tackle and bore down on goal and with the keeper starting to come out Ollie hit it past him and into the near corner. A fantastic piece of skill by Lee Grimwood saw him grab a well deserved hat-trick when he broke through and from an awkward angle slipped the ball past the the oncoming Dereham defender and keeper. Ollie Mann had the last word when he ran onto a good through ball, turned his man, and sent a superb shot into the goal for his second and our fifth of the game. You could see how much the result meant to the Brantham team with their end-of-game huddle at the final whistle. Our thanks also to the 7 hardy supporters who made the journey to the game and they seemed to make more noise than the home people did and they all went home with a big smile on their faces!! Our thanks also to the Dereham people who made us all welcome and listening to their people after the game they thought it could have been 8 or 9 in our favour and they agreed that if chances we created in the first half alone had gone in it would have been all over by then!
We even got a mention in the Ridgeons League bulletin when they said -" Brantham Athletic showed that they could be in a false position near the bottom with a shock 5-1 win at league leaders Dereham Town. There was a Lee Grimwood hat-trick and a brace from leading goalscorer Ollie Mann" Let's hope that this result,maybe, just maybe, be the start of us climbing up the league table!!!
Brantham - 1.Ryan Bedingfield. 2- Jono Crouch. 3-Chris French. 4- Jack Sibbons. 5.Adam Bloss. 6.Kieran Lawler. 7.Marc Lowe. 8.David Grimwood. 9.Ollie Mann. 10. Lee Grimwood. 11.Sean Gunn. subs not used - Kieron Smith-Edwards, Shaun Webb and Danny Garrad.
----barry felgate---

Reserves great win at home against AFC Sudbury

2011-01-28T08:55:00.000-08:00

RIDGEONS RESERVES-SOUTH - TUESDAY JANUARY 25th
BRANTHAM RESERVES 2 AFC SUDBURY RESERVES 0
Brantham Reserves (sponsored by Kensington) welcomed AFC Sudbury on Tuesday night ( writes Nathan Burrell) looking to increase our lead at the top of the table and expected a keenly fought contest, and it certainly was that. Sudbury's first team game had been called off on the same night and they brought in a few fringe players and we welcomed Sean Gunn, Kieran Lawler and Chris French into the squad. In a very tight game both teams were finding it hard to create any clear cut chances with play being mainly in midfield. We started to gain the upper hand and our first real chance was from a free kick about 20 yards out which Lee Willcox drove into the Sudbury wall. Sudbury were looking dangerous on the counter attack and our back four had to keep a close eye on their lively front two whose movement and pace was top class.Our best chance of the half fell to Ben Sparrow who chased a long ball and got to it first. With Sudbury's goalkeeper racing out of his goal towards the ball Ben tried a 30 yard lob only to see the ball drop just past the post and cleared by a Sudbury defender. From the resultant corner Chris French whipped the ball in and the ball bounced about in the six yard box without us getting a touch on it.
Half time Merch and myself were happy with the work rate and commitment of the team but felt we just needed to calm down when in possession and play a little more football and we knew the chances would come. We started to get the ball on the ground and started to create chances.The first came from a short corner and Chris French beat his marker and cracked in a great shot which produced a good save from the Sudbury keeper. Chris French then got in a one-on-one, the keeper done well but then dropped the ball at Frenchy's feet only to grab the ball at the second attempt before Frenchy knew what was going on! Sudbury were still well in the game and from a free kick 25 yards out Ross Welton pulled off a great save, saving low to his left. Almost immediately Ross pulled off another great save with the Sudbury forward through in a one-on-one and Ross blocked the ball with his legs to keep the game all square. We then took the lead in the 70th minute and what a goal it was. The ball was crossed into the Sudbury box and was cleared only for the ball to drop to Chris French just out side the area and Chris smacked the ball home on the half volley with a superb shot into the top corner of the goal. 1-0. Sudbury then put us under pressure but all credit to the boys who defended fantastically well, not giving Sudbury a sniff of a chance. We were playing on the counter-attack and from a quick break Sean Gunn found himself getting to the goal line before beating the Sudbury full back and with some superb cool finishing hit the ball, from an awkward angle, into the corner of the goal to make it 2-0 and to seal the win.
So a huge three points against a quality Sudbury team, who in all honesty won't lose many games this season.This sets us up nicely for the double header against Braintree,home and then away. It would be very hard to pick out players but I thought that the back four of Spencer, Mann, Long and Drouet were superb and young Lee Willcox certainly had his best game for us this season.
Brantham - 1.Ross Welton. 2.Ben Spencer. 3.Alex Drouet. 4.James Long. 5.Kev Mann. 6.Kieran Lawler. 7.Ben Green. 8.Lee Willcox. 9. Ben Sparrow. 10.Sean Gunn (1 goal). 11. Chris French (1 goal). subs- James Glen, Adam Thompson and Alex Street.
Thanks to Nathan Burrell for a top class report and well done to the lads for such a great performance. I was able to watch a lot of the game and Merch and Nathan have the right mixture, younger players and the more experienced lads, and they all did the team and the club proud in this game.-----barry felgate----

Brantham draw at home against Newmarket Town

2011-01-24T09:03:00.000-08:00

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - SATURDAY JANUARY 22nd
BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 0 NEWMARKET TOWN 0
Brantham (sponsored by Kensington) entertained ( maybe not some of the crowd !!) Newmarket Town looking for three valuable league points but in the end had to settle for just one point after a goal less draw. We took the game to our opponents from the first whistle and had the first real chance when Andy French broke down the left before playing the ball into the area. Kieran Lawler was the first to react in the box but put his header straight at the keeper. Ollie Mann made ground down the wing and cut inside before hitting the ball along the goal line before it was cleared by a defender. Newmarket started to settle down and a good three man move ended with King hitting the Brantham cross bar. We hit back straight away and some good work down the right by Lee Grimwood, who seemed to cover every inch of the pitch during the game, put the ball through to Ollie Mann on the edge of the area. Ollie turned his marker and sent in a hard and low shot that the Newmarket keeper did well to stop. We then had a rash of cautions. Both Lee and David Grimwood were cautioned after going in with an opponent for the ball and to everybody watching the game it seemed that these were legitimate tackles with both players contesting the same ball , but, the referee seemed to think otherwise. Newmarket then had a player cautioned and Kieran Lawler joined the list after disputing a decision. The second half started with both teams pushing men forward in search of that elusive opening goal. Newmarket had two good chances which were both well taken by Bedingfield in the Brantham goal. Some good work in the middle by the industrious Marc Lowe finished with the ball being played along the ground to Ollie Mann who turned his marker and sent in a shot that beat the keeper but went inches wide of the post. We looked the more positive side going forward with the midfield and defence getting through a lot of work but we were just not able to make chances count.Towards the end of the game shots from Ollie Mann, Lee Grimwood and Kieran Lawler seemed to beat the keeper only to go agonisingly the wrong side of the woodwork and that just about summed the day up for us. Spare a thought for manager Tony Hall who has had his full first team squad available for selection for just three matches this season-we won two and drew one- nuff said!!!
Brantham - 1.Ryan Bedingfield. 2- Jack Sibbons. 3-Andy French. 4- Jono Crouch. 5-Adam Bloss. 6- Shaun Webb. 7-Marc Lowe. 8-David Grimwood.- 9.Ollie Mann. 10-Lee Grimwood. 11- Kieran Lawler - subs used - Sean Gunn - subs not used - Chris French, Danny Garrad and Kieron Smith-Edwards
---barry felgate--

First team go out of Cup away to CRC

2011-01-20T08:48:00.000-08:00

RIDGEONS LEAGUE CUP - 2nd round - WEDNESDAY JANUARY 19th
CRC 3 BRANTHAM 1
Brantham (sponsored by Kensington) travelled to CRC and as the saying goes -"So near- but yet so far away" and that just about sums our cup match up . There had been a lot of phone calls between ourselves, CRC, the league and the referees as at one stage the game was going to be played at Brantham but then after the FA informed us that they couldn't change the referees it was back to Cambridge. We were key men short, Marc Lowe still getting over his injury from last Saturday's game and defender Andy French could not get off work in London in time to get to the match. This meant that manager Tony Hall had to shuffle his team line-up about once again. We started off with Ryan Bedingfield making two good stops early on and minutes later the ball was put into the CRC area and Ollie Mann outjumped everybody to power a header goalwards only to see the keeper make a top class save. CRC hit back straight away and their centre forward sent in a hard shot that hit the post before being cleared by Bedingfield for a corner. CRC took the lead when the ball was played into our area and their man was given all the time and space he needed to head home at the far post. CRC were concentrating a lot of their attacks down both flanks and minutes after the goal they could have added a second when a forward was allowed to run through and shot at goal only to see Ryan Bedingfield deflect the ball round for a another corner. Towards the latter part of the half we started to settle down and we were knocking the ball about well. This paid off when David Grimwood did all the hard work before putting the ball through for Ollie Mann to run onto and Ollie turned his marker and struck the ball home straight and true. 1-1. In the last minute a good attack ended with Adam Bloss running in on goal and it looked as if might score but CRC managed to get the ball off their line and clear. We started the second half as we had finished the first by taking the game to our opponents. Sean Gunn broke through and laid the ball off into the path of David Grimwood whose shot was cleared by a frantic defence. Minutes later the ball was played to Kieran Lawler and from a good 25 yards out Kieran hit it and the shot beat the keeper but smacked against the woodwork. This seemed to wake our opponents up and realise they were in a game and they regained their advantage when a pass into the area went unchallenged and their man made no mistake with a header into the net. We made changes with Danny Garrad, Shaun Webb and Lee Willcox all coming on during the second half . All soon got involved in the action and Shaun Webb made two important headers almost as soon as he came on. The game was over when CRC added the killer third goal when a forward was allowed all the time he wanted to place his shot wide of Bedingfield. CRC are a young side and have the benefit of being able to train every day and that came through. They knocked the ball about well and had all of the tricks that you can associate with a team who are involved at the level they are. But all credit to our lads, who despite being down, still ran and chased every ball. Our thanks to the people who made the journey at short notice to come and support the team.
Brantham - 1.Ryan Bedingfield. 2.Kieron Smith-Edwards. 3-Chris French. 4-Jono Crouch. 5-Jack Sibbons. 6.Kieran Lawler. 7-Adam Bloss. 8.David Grimwood. 9.Ollie Mann. 10.Sean Gunn. 11-Lee Grimwood. subs used - Shaun Webb, Lee Willcox, Danny Garrad. subs not used -Nathan Munson
---barry felgate--

Brantham go down 3-2 in scrappy game at Yarmouth

2011-01-17T09:35:00.001-08:00

Photo - Adam Bloss who scored our second goal with a shot so hard that the ball finished up stuck in the back of the goal between the stanchion and the goal net.

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - SATURDAY JANUARY 15th
GT YARMOUTH 3 BRANTHAM 2
I would have liked to start by saying that we were unlucky in the match away to Gt Yarmouth-but in all reality that was not the case, as we were poor in a game that we really could and should have won. I agree that losing two main midfield men in the first half, Marc Lowe and David Grimwood, did not help our cause, but Yarmouth can point out that they had their keeper sent off just before half time and had to play the second half with a stand-in keeper. I am sure that we all agree that we are more than capable of moving away from the bottom end of the table but we will only do that if EVERY PLAYER peforms to his full potential, and it certainly didn't happen in this game!! We started brightly enough when Lee Grimwood made ground down the flank and put a cross over which ended with Ollie Mann powering a header towards the top corner of the net, only to see the home keeper, somehow,manage to tip the ball round his post for a corner. We then lost midfield man Marc Lowe to a bad ankle injury and we can only hope that he is not going to be out for any length of time.Chris French came on for Marc and soon got involved in the action with two meaty tackles early on. Sean Gunn broke down the left and put in a good cross that Ollie Mann headed at goal, but only to see the keeper, again, tip it over for yet another corner, despite the keeper being in a collision with his post. Yarmouth took the lead, against the run of play to be honest, in the 33rd minute when Jake Reed ran through and latched onto a ball and with the Brantham players appealing he side stepped a challenge and slotted home past an oncoming Ryan Bedingfield. We continued to argue the point which ended with Ryan being cautioned. Yarmouth had their tails up now and Woodcock broke through and sent in a stinging shot that Bedingfield did well to tip over the bar. We then lost midfield man David Grimwood. David had been unwell but determined to play and not let the team down, but in the end even he to call it a day in this match. This meant that for the second time in the first half that manager Tony Hall had to make changes to his playing formation. We were creating some good chances but we just could not find a way past Hilton in the Yarmouth goal. This changed a bit just prior to the break when Hilton came out of his area and pushed a Brantham player to the ground. The referee, after speaking to his assistants, then gave Hilton his marching orders. We again pushed forward and the stand-in keeper was quick off his line to make a good save from a fierce Ollie Mann shot. Half time 1-0.
The second half started with Yarmouth doubling their lead. From a free kick into our area the ball was not cleared anbd Duffy,running in, hammered the ball home from close range. 2-0. This seemed to wake us up and we pulled a goal back when the ball was played to the far post and Ollie Mann seemed to turn on a sixpence ( somewhat dates me I'm sure!!) and blasted the ball into the roof of the net. We then tried some long range efforts, including a 35 yard stinger from Andy French,but the keeper was equal to the shots. Chris French then skipper round two tackles and laid the ball off into the path of Sean Gunn and from close in Sean drilled the ball over the bar. We drew level with the goal of the game. From a corner a Yarmouth defender tried to head the ball clear but he helped it on it's way across goal and Adam Bloss, lurking in the area, let fly with a shot that flew like a rocket into the top corner of the goal. Such was the power of Adam's shot that it got wedged between the stanchion and the net and one Yarmouth man was heard to comment that if it had not gone into the goal it would have ended up in the North Sea!
With the game seeming to ebb out it was Yarmouth who grabbed the winner when a hard shot was sent across the Brantham goal, hard and low, and as Jack Sibbons, with a Yarmouth man coming in from the edge of the area, tried to clear the ball, to his dismay Jack saw it come off his boot and end up in the back of the net- and that just about summed our day up!
Brantham - 1.Ryan Bedingfield. 2.Jono Crouch. 3. Andy French. 4. Jack Sibbons. 5.Adam Bloss. 6.Kieran Lawler. 7.Marc Lowe. 8.David Grimwood. 9.Ollie Mann. 10.Lee Grimwood. 11.Sean Gunn. subs used -Kieron Smith-Edwards, Chris French and Danny Garrad
--barry felgate---

Reserves run riot at home to Halstead winning 9-0

2011-01-17T09:07:00.000-08:00

Photo- Ben Spencer who curled his shot into the top corner of the net for our 9th and final goal of the game.

RIDGEONS RESERVES SOUTH - SATURDAY JANUARY 15th
BRANTHAM RESERVES 9 HALSTEAD RESERVES 0
It was top versus bottom of the reserve south division as we hosted Halstead looking to maintain our lead at the top of the table( writes Nathan Burrell). Play was mainly in midfield as for the first 10 minutes we struggled to get our passing game going. On 15 minutes we made the breakthrough with Ben Green chesting the ball down to the feet of Shaun Webb who in turn crossed for Alex Stocker to hit home. This goal settled us down and we started to play our football. Lee Willcox was unlucky not to increase our lead when he broke through from midfield and saw his well struck effort saved well by the Halstead keeper. Young Ross Cooper, who was making his first start for the reserves, then had two great chances, the first a glancing header which was only inches away and the second he drilled the ball into the side netting. We made it 2-0 on 25 minutes when Ben Spencer did well to get to the by-line and cut the ball back to veteran Kevin Mann who made no mistake from 6 yards to put us firmly in control. Ben Green then got into the action when, from the edge of the area, he curled in a beauty of a shot that gave the keeper no chance at all. 3-0. We scored our fourth right on half time when Ben Green's free kick was pushed out by the Halstead keeper and there was goal machine Shaun Webb to tap it home. 4-0
Half time and we stressed to the boys to keep things simple and more goals will come. Almost immediately as Merch and myself were making our way back to the dugout Alex Stocker picked the ball up on the left hand side, beat the full back, and spanked in a low shot into the corner of the net 5-0. It was all one way traffic with Halstead struggling to get out of their half and we scored our 6th of the game when Ben Green got in down the right flank and put in a lovely cross which was well finished by Shaun Webb for his second of the game.We then made some changes and brought on Ben Sparrow and Adam Thompson for the last 30 minutes and quickly scored our 7th when Ross Cooper broke down the right and put in a great cross ball which fell nicely to Alex Stocker who smashed the ball home to complete his hat-trick. Adam Thompson then got into the act with probably the goal of the game. He picked the ball up 30 yards out and drove forward and unleashed a screamer to put us 8-0 up. The last goal was also a superb effort when some lovely one touch football found Ben Spencer and he curled one into the top corner of the goal with his left peg to complete the rout at 9-0.
Impossible to name a man of the match with the entire 14 players putting in a great shift, have to mention Speedy's fantastic hat-trick from left midfield and two great finishes from Webby, do just have to mention the centre forwards of Street,Cooper and Sparrow or failing to score in a 9-0 victory, enough said!!
No game on Saturday but we back on duty on Tuesday 25th at home to AFC Sudbury in the league.
Brantham - 1.Ross Welton., 2.Ben Spencer ( 1 goal). 3.Alex Drouet. 4.James Long. 5.Kev Mann (1 goal). 6.Shaun Webb (2 goals). 7.Lee Willcox. 8. Ben Green (1 goal). 9.Alex Stocker (3 goals). 10.Alex Street. 11.Ross Cooper. subs- Adam Thompson (1 goal), Ben Sparrow and James Glen.
(Thanks again to Nathan Burrell for the report- and well done to the lads for that great victory-keep the good work up gentlemen.)------------barry felgate------)

Brantham Reserves win away at the seaside!!!

2011-01-10T09:03:00.000-08:00

RIDGEONS RESERVES SOUTH - SATURDAY JANUARY 8th
FELIXSTOWE & WALTON RESERVES 0 BRANTHAM ATHLETIC RESERVES 2
We were only one of a handfull of teams to get a game on Saturday ( writes Nathan Burrell) as the heavy rain put paid to many of the fixtures. We welcomed Adam "Blossy" Bloss into the team for a game after his recent lay-off and the returning Ben Spencer from injury. We started the game well,moving the ball about for the opening 5 minutes. After this spell we opened the scoring just after the 5 minute mark when a Brantham effort hit the post and came back out and Shaun Webb, running in, hit it home past the startled goalkeeper ( sorry Shaun-trying to give your goal away to another player!!).0-1. We then nearly increased our lead in the 10th minute with some fine football. A deep cross was headed back across goal by Kieran Lawler only for the oncoming Alex Drouet to volley over the bar when well placed. We then gifted our opponents a great chance when we lost the ball 30 yards out from goal only to see the Felixstowe striker shoot past the post -phew!! Play tended to be in midfield with Shaun Webb and Lee Willcox getting through a lot of work. We deservedly increased our lead on the 30 minute mark when the ball dropped to Kieran Lawler again 25 yards out and his shot produced a good save from the Felixstowe keeper but the ball came out and there was Alex Drouet to tuck away the rebound. Right on half time we gave the ball away in a dangerous position and this gave Felixstowe a glorious chance to get back into the game but once again their effort was off target. Half time 0-2.
At the break we were happy to be two goals to the good but we all knew that the game wasn't won so we made it clear to the boys that plenty of hard work was required in the second half. We had the first real chance of the second half when a good deep cross from Street was inches away from Ben Green converting at the far post. Felixstowe then seemed to up their game and were looking to get back into the game and keeper Ross Welton pulled off as great save, pushing a well hit shot onto the post. For the rest of the half Felixstowe had plenty of possession but failed to get past our hard tackling back four. We should really have been awarded a penalty in the closing stages when Kieran Lawler was bundled by the Felixstowe keeper, but referee Dawson, who had a good game, waved away our appeals.
So a big 3 points after the extended Christmas break which hopefully should set us up for a go at the title. Next week we are at home to Halstead on Saturday and then at home again the following Tuesday against AFC Sudbury Reserves - why not come along and give us some support!!
Brantham - 1.Ross Welton. 2. James Long. 3.Ben Spencer. 4. Adam Bloss.5.Kevin Mann. 6.Shaun Webb. 7.Lee Willcox. 8.Ben Green. 9.Kieran Lawler ( 1 goal). 10.Alex Street. 11. Alex Drouet. subs used - Ross Cooper and Alex Stocker.
Thanks to Nathan Burrell for his in-depth report and I must say that I thought the team did well against some experienced Felixstowe players. The back four were in great form while the midfield seemed to run and chase after every ball. Up front the lads caused the Felixstowe defence a lot of problems and to be honest we could have had more than 2 goals but to their credit Felixstowe threw everything into stopping the ball. Good to see so many people travel to watch the game and support the team and I know that their support was appreciated by Merch, Nanthan and the team.
--barry felgate---

Brantham pick up hard worked for win -photo of goalscorer,Marc Lowe

2010-12-13T06:57:00.000-08:00

Photo - Brantham's Marc Lowe who headed home our first goal in the 2-1 win against Kirkley and Pakefield. Marc's powered a header home from a free kick leaving the Kirkley keeper no chance at all.

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - SATURDAY DECEMBER 11th
BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 2 KIRKLEY & PAKEFIELD 1
With three of the regular back four men missing we knew it would be a hard match against high riding Kirkley & Pakefield. However, it was us who ran out winners, picking up three valuable league points that saw us move off the bottom of the table. We started the better side going forward and within minutes Marc Lowe saw a shot on the run turned round for a corner by the Kirkley keeper. Simon Mann latched onto a good through ball and sent in a fierce shot that beat the keeper but went just wide. Kirkley started to get more into the game and a good move ended with Crisp hitting a hard shot from close range but the Brantham keeper,Ross Welton was equal to the shot and made a top class save. We started to push men forward again and a move that involved both David Grimwood and Simon Mann saw the ball played through to Ollie Mann who sent in a fierce shot from just outside the area that the Kirkley keeper did well to turn round for a corner.We finally made the pressure count in the 41st minute. A good move saw the ball put into the area and Marc Lowe rose like the proverbial salmon to head the ball home into the roof of the net. 1-0.
The second half started with Kirkley looking determined to pull a goal back and Crisp saw a hard shot well taken by Welton in our goal. Play tended to become a bit scrappy at this stage with both sides having chances but neither able to make them count. The livewire Lee Grimwood was causing Kirkley a lot of problems with his direct running and superb control of the football and at times they did not seem to know how to stop him. Kirkley drew level after a player had been fouled outside our area. Harvey Cooper lined the kick up and sent in a shot hard and low that flew into the goal leaving the unsighted Brantham custodian Welton no chance at all. 1-1. Kirkley started to push men up front and had a couple of good chances before they were reduced to ten men. Midfield general David Grimwood was dumped unceremoniously on the ground by a hard tackle with Kirkley's Potter being the cuplrit who then seemed to get involved in a tangle of bodies around David. The referee consulted his assistants before sending Potter off. Kirkley were still playing some good football but it was us who looked that bit more dangerous on the break. A good move saw the ball played through to Ollie Mann who outstripped a defender before slotting home in style.Ollie's joy was short lived as the linesman had his flagup for offside against another Brantham player, despite the fact that he had not been involved when the ball hit the back of the net! Kirkley were then a tad unlucky when a forward sent in a great shot from just inside the area, the ball ran along the goal line and hit the far post amnd came straight back out again-phew!!( much to our relief I might add!). We finally made sure of all three points when Lee Grimwood, once again tormented his marker, and put a great ball into the area and Kirkley's Grint, trying to clear the ball, could only hit it into his own net past his somewhat startled goalkeeper!. A good result and the team, with several positional changes did well ,and nice to see goalkeeper Ryan Bedingfield back at the club after his bad injury a while back at Cambridge.
Brantham - 1-Ross Welton. 2-Simon Mann. 3- Chris French. 4- Keiron Smith-Edwards. 5- Jono Crouch. 6- Kieran Lawler. 7-Marc Lowe. 8- David Grimwood. 9-Ollie Mann. 10- Sean Gunn. 11-Lee Grimwood. subs used Danny Garrad, Shaun Webb and Lee Willcox. not used - Alex Drouet and Ryan Bedingfield.
---barry felgate---

Under 18's hit 7 past Haverhill on cold evening!!

2010-11-26T08:53:00.000-08:00

RIDGEONS UNDER 18's LEAGUE - WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 24th
BRANTHAM UNDER 18's 7 HAVERHILL UNDER 18's 0
A very low crowd, and really who could blame them, as it was freezing cold, turned out to see Brantham under 18's hit 7 goals past Haverhill under 18's. Brantham bounced back after the home defeat by Felixstowe in emphatic style as they destroyed bottom of the table Haverhill with some top class football. Brantham attacked from the start with Danny Garrad causing the Haverhill defence problems with his speed and skill. Brantham took an early lead when Danny Garrad jinked round two men before being brought down in the area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Danny dusted himself down and calmy slotted the spot kick home. Brantham doubled the lead minutes later to go 2-0 up inside ten minutes thought skipper Alex Stocker's deft header past the beleaguered Haverhill keeper. It was not all one way traffic and Brantham custodian Tom Williams had to make a couple of good saves to deny the Haverhill front runners. Despite this, Brantham made it 3-0 when Alex Stocker grabbed his second of the night after some great passing football. James Turner was leading the line well and had a couple of half chances. Brantham kept the pressure on and it was soon to be 4-0 when Ross Cooper netted a well worked goal. Haverhill rarely threatened in the latter part of the first half and just prior to the break Tom Williams in the Brantham goal comfortably saved a couple of tame efforts. Half time - Brantham, 4 Haverhill 0
At half time Haverhill switched keepers but it still didn't get that much better for them when Shaun Webb finally scored a good goal to make it 5-0. Turner, Garrad and Stocker all had efforts to add to the lead but could not make them count. With just 15 minutes left substitute Jack Birkett came on and notched two classy goals. The first was set up by fellow sub Stewie McFarland, with Jack calmly sliding the ball past the keeper. Jack's second came after a good move between Webb and Turner put him through to grab his second and Brantham's seventh of the night. Jack might have added another when he ran towards goal only to see his fierce shot saved by the keeper. Tom Williams made a great save from a strike from well outside the area which he tipped over his bar. With just minutes left Brantham could have made it eight when Burkett set up Turner who shot wide of the goal. In the end as comfortable victory and a top quality performance. No doubt Haverhill will be looking for revenge when we travel to New Croft next Thursday (Dec 2nd) for another league fixture.
Brantham - 1-Tom Williams. 2-Dan Page. 3-Jay Welham (replaced by Jordan Ramsey). 4-Shaun Webb. 5-Ryan Dawson. 6-Dale Gregory. 7-Alex Stocker. 8-Ross Cooper. 9-James Turner. 10-Danny Garrad (replaced by Jack Burkett). 11-Tom Simpson ( replaced by Stewie McFarland
--Thanks to Dan Allen for the report---- barry felgate.

Brantham draw away to Wroxham-but at a cost-photo of two goalscorers

2010-11-22T06:59:00.000-08:00

Photo= The two men on target for us,both from the penalty spot. David Grimwood, who was our "Man of the match" is on the left of the photo and alongside is leading goalscorer Ollie Mann.

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION - SATURDAY NOVEMBER 20th
WROXHAM 2 BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 2
The first team made the journey to Wroxham (writes Barry Felgate ) and after a game that was not for the faint hearted we came away with a great 2-2 draw and all credit to all of the team who ALL played their part in such a good result. Prior to the game the Wroxham people were quick to tell us that they had won the last 9 matches and this would be number ten( in the end it just didn't weork like that for them. The first half of the report is in minutes--
2 mins - Wroxham tried to clear the ball but it hit the referee and fell into the path of the livewire Lee Grimwood.Lee made ground and hit a great volley which went just over the bar.
5 mins - Wroxham settled into the game and a good three man ended with a forward taking a snap shot from just outside our area which clipped the Brantham bar.
8 mins - A good move down the flank saw the ball end with midfield supremo David Grimwood, who turned 2 men before shooting at goal only to see the keeper position himself to take the fierce effort.
10 mins- new signing Marc Lowe was unceremoniously was dumped on the ground after a hard challenge but after treatment Marc got up and carried on (phew! - we were sweating on if Marc would take any further part!)

13 mins - a well worked move by Wroxham ended with Cook seeing his shot saved by Ross Welton in the Brantham goal.
20 mins- a good through ball from Lee Grimwood picked out Kieran Lawler and Kieran's first time shot was deflected for a corner.
22 mins- a good move by Wroxham started in their own half saw their centre forward hit a fierce shot that seemed to cannon off Ross Welton's chest but Ross was quick enough to get the ball away and out of danger
24 mins - a good move started at the back by Brantham by Andy French saw Ollie Mann run onto the ball and only a last ditch tackle stopped Ollie hitting the ball from just outside the area.
26 mins- a Wroxham man broke through and he tangled with Andy French before hitting the deck. The referee brandished the red card for Andy as he was deemed to have denied the Wroxham man a goalscoring opportunity. Speaking to Andy after the game he said the foul was in the area but the referee brought the kick back to the edge of the area but it didn't make that much difference as Howes blasted the perfect free kick home.

30 mins - Wroxham started a move from the back and a quick thinking forward latched onto a through ball and his shot was not that far off target.
33 mins- a superb through ball from David Grimwood picked out Lee Grimwood who saw his shot go just wide of the post.
37 mins - our central defenders Jack Sibbons and Adam Bloss were having top class games in keeping the Wroxham front men from adding to their score,making vital tackles when it mattered.
39/40 mins- Ross Welton in the Brantham goal made two very good saves, one after t'other to deny Wroxham a second goal.
The second half started with Wroxham still convinced that the points were going to them but the Brantham team were still battling on. Lee Grimwood put over a good centre which Ollie Mann just could not reach. At our end Ross Welton made a good save to deny Durrant and Ross cleared the ball upfield and it ended with Simon Mann who put his first time effort wide . Minutes later Lee Grimwood was brought down in the Wroxham area only for the referee to wave play on. A well worked moved saw David Grimwood send in a stinging shot which the keeper saved at the second attempt. We drew level in the 75th minute when Jack Sibbons, who had made ground into the Wroxham area ,was brought down by a clumsy challenge. Up stepped David Grimwood, made sure his boots were alright, and then sent in the perfect spot kick home hard and low.1-1. The game seemed to quieten down a little bit after this and during that period it was Wroxham who regained their lead when Gilmore hit home a great shot from well outside the area, the ball going home past Ross Welton like a rocket. Ollie Mann,leading the line superbly, got through a lot of work up front and saw some good strikes not that far wide of the target. Tackles seemed to be flying in thick and fast and we then lost Adam Bloss who clattered into a Wroxham man and after the melee that followed both Adam and Wroxham's Lemmon were given their marching orders. Brantham manager Tony Hall had to make adjustments to his team of just 9 players on the pitch. Brantham's "man of the match" David Grimwood was then unceremoniously clattered off the park and as he lay injured on the touch line a ball was then kicked at him which seemed to hit him in the face. With time running out we were given a second life-line when the referee pointed to the spot for the second time. David Grimwood, our usual penalty taker, was still feeling the effects of his injury and up stepped Ollie Mann, and with our hearts in our mouths we watched as Ollie took his run up and slammed it home to the right of the keeper to bring us level again at 2-2. We still had more to come as in the dying minutes Lee Grimwood and an opponents collided and for some obscure reason Lee was booked and then a couple of minutes later Jack Sibbons received his second yellow card for a tackle and we then played the very last part of the match with just 8 men on the park. As the lads came off all of the Brantham supporters stood by the entrance to the ground and clapped them off for such a great performance. As chairman Peter Crowhurst said " the Brantham lads were a credit to the club and themselves.
Thanks once again to our fantastic travelling supporters, who again were there to cheer the team on, and welcome to the new member of the clan, Mickey Lowe, and Mickey can be proud of son Marc who had a fine game in his first game with the team.
Brantham - 1-Ross Welton 2-Simon Mann. 3-Andy French. 4- Jack Sibbons. 5- Adam Bloss. 6-Kieran Lawler. 7-Chris French. 8-Marc Lowe. 9-Ollie Mann. 10- David Grimwood. 11-Lee Grimwood . subs used - Kieron Smith-Edwards. subs not used -Danny Garrad, Sean Gunn and Nathan Munson.
----barry felgate---

Brantham Reserves go nap! and two goal man Alex Drouet

2010-11-22T06:06:00.001-08:00

Photo-Alex Drouet who was on target with two goals in the reserves top class 5-0 win at hme to Witham Reserves

RIDGEONS RESERVES SOUTH - SATURDAY NOVEMBER 20th
BRANTHAM RESERVES 5 WITHAM RESERVES 0
After last weeks poor showing in the cup we welcomed Jono Crouch,Adam Thompson and Alex Drouet into the starting 11 (writes Nathan Burrell), this meant a couple dropping down to Joe's "A" team and lads this was nothing to do with performance or ability but a surplus of personnel. The "Gaffer" also left himself out of the squad as he was disappointed with his own showing last week. We started the game on the front foot and within 5 minutes, and with our first meaningful attack, Adam Thompson found Ben Sparrow who skipped past the fullback and delivered an inch perfect cross for Alex Drouet to calmly volley into the corner of the net. 1-0 and the perfect start. There was no stopping us and we won the ball back with Alex Street finding Ben Sparrow who in turn played in Lee Wilcox and Lee finished past the keeper at the second attempt to put us 2-0 up. It was all Brantham at this stage and Ben Sparrow was causing the back four of Witham real problems with his movement and pace. We scored our 3rd goal on the 15th minute mark when skipper James Long played a great long ball down the wing for Alex "Streety" Street to latch onto and he in turn knocked in a delicious cross which found Ben Sparrow who finished with ease on the turn.We had another couple of great chances to increase our lead, firstly when Shaun Webb shot over from yet another Sparrow raid down the right and Alex Drouet clipped in a great cross which Alex Street headed just wide. We didn't have to wait long for the fourth goal which duly arrived on 40 minutes. James Long whipped in a great ball and found the composed Alex Drouet who again finished on the half-volley into the bottom of the net. Right on half time we had a glorious chance to make it 5-0 when a great run by Alex Drouet found Shaun Webb who just failed to connect with a header from 5 yards out, so half time 4-0 with at times some fantastic football ,which was also very pleasing, as we had worked at crossing and finishing at training and before the game. So just goes to show boys the more you practice the better you will be. The second half started and we knew that Witham would up their game and this they did taking the game to us with plenty of possession but really failing to create any real chances. We brought on all three subs with Shaun Webb, James Long and Adam Thompson all having a deserved break. We notched up our fifth goal when Ben Green made ground down down the pitch and crossed for Alex Street to finish well into the corner of the net. I have to make the comment at this point with the "Gaffer" who throughout the whole game was warned several times by the man in black to keep off the pitch and stay in his technical area, but somehow "Merch" had found himself on the other side of the pitch after clollecting a loose ball and after our fifth goal decided to sprint across the pitch. Unfortunately for "Merch" he wasn't quick enough and the eagle-eyed referee sent him to the stands much to the amusement of myself and Robbie who were both in stitches at his escapade.
So a great 3 points and sets us up nicely for the tough game away to Braintree on Saturday, also a huge thanks to Kensington for the smart track-suits we received.
Brantham - 1-Tom Williams. 2-James Long. 3-Adam Sturman. 4-James Glen. 5-Jono Crouch. 6-Shaun Webb. 7-Adam Thompson. 8-Lee Wilcox (1 goal). 9-Ben Sparrow(1 goal). 10-Alex Street (1 goal). 11- Alex Drouet (2 goals). subs Scott Cooke, James Turner and Ben Green.
---thanks to Nathan Burrell for his report--- barry felgate

Brantham Reserves go out of cup-photo of goalkeeper Tom Williams

2010-11-16T11:29:00.000-08:00

Photo- Goalkeeper Tom Williams who could not be faulted for the two goals that we conceded.

During the match Tom made some top class saves to keep us in with a chance.

SCFA SENIOR RESERVES CUP- SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12th 2010
BRANTHAM RESERVES 1 HAVERHILL RESERVES 2
We entertained Haverhill reserves in this 3rd round senior reserves cup tie in a confident mood after our impressive performances against Wanderers the previous week ( writes Nathan Burrell). But with a couple of regulars missing and a number of players cup-tied it was always going to be a tough game against a strong Haverhill eleven. The opening 45 minutes saw us struggle to get our game together and only two great saves from Tom Williams kept us all square early on. A poor clearance out of defence fell to a Haverhill player and with the ball sitting up perfectly for him he lashed a great shot from 25 yards out into the corner of the net giving Tom Williams no chance at all in the Brantham goal. The remainder of the half was a pretty drab affair with Haverhill the much better team and their two wide men giving our back four a bit of a chasing. Kev Mann was booked for a slightly late (being very generous!") tackle in the middle of the park and I was hoping this would get the boys up for the game but for the rest of the half we again struggled to put two passes together and the shape of the team was almost non-existent. We had a chance five minutes from half time when from a corner Shaun Webb shot wide,but in all honesty Haverhill fully deserved their half time lead. As you can imagine a few home truths were spoken in the dressing room but we were still happy to be in the game.
The second half and we changed the shape of the team with the angry Alex Street dropping into midfield and the front three of Sparrow,Turner and Garrad gave us a better looking shape. We had plenty of possession and the movement of Ben Sparrow gave the Haverhill defence more to think about but the final ball on the day was lacking and chances for either side were far and few between. Our first shot on target gave us the equaliser with Danny Garrad finding space 20 yards out from goal and driving in a great shot, so 1-1, and all to play for, Unfortunatly we were only on level terms for five minutes when a Haverhill forward took a tumble in the box and with Merch and James Glen looking astonished the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty which was converted to give Haverhill the lead again. We huffed and puffed but couldn't create that one chance and I knew it wasn't going to be our day when Ben Sparrow was pullked back a good 5 yards into the box only for the referee to award the free kick on the edge of the box.
So disappointment at the final whistle and again a 3rd round exit. This time last year we were in exactly the same position, top of the league but after a cup exit to Lowestoft we failed to win a game for 2 months, so as you can imagine the game this coming Saturday, when we are at home to Witham Town now becomes massive to make sure we get back on track in the league.
Brantham team - 1-Tom Williams. 2-Shaun Webb. 3-Scott Cooke. 4-James Long. 5- James Glen. 6-Kevin Mann., 7-Danny Garrad. 8-Alex Stocker - 9-James Turner. 10-Alex Street. 11-Allan Merchant. subs - Ben Sparrow, Adam Sturman and Jerome Primus.
Both Merch and Nathan would like to thank everyone who attended the quiz night on Saturday. It was a great night and we raised £500- so well done to everyone!
--Many thanks to Nathan Burrell for the report---barry felgate

Two goal Garrad not enough for Brantham Under 18's

2010-11-14T03:42:00.000-08:00

RIDGEONS UNDER 18's League - WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 10th
BRANTHAM UNDER 18's 2 FELIXSTOWE & WALTON UNDER 18'S 3
Two well taken goals from an inform Danny Garrad were not enough as Brantham went down 3-2 at home to Felixstowe & Walton in their Ridgeons Youth South Division clash.
A somewhat scrappy first 40 minutes saw very few chances created by either side with Felixstowe perhaps just about having the edge. It was Felixstowe who took the lead five minutes before half time. Brantham quickly levelled though, just 39 seconds later, when Shaun Webb shot at the keeper and the shot was saved by the keeper but the rebound came out into the path of Danny Garrad who tapped the ball home. On the stroke of half time, Tom Williams in the Brantham goal, made a great one-on-one save to deny Felixstowe from retaking the lead.
Brantham came out trying to take the lead and Danny Garrad shot wide from distance, before Tom Williams made another good one-on-one save as a forward was allowed to gain ground into the area. Brantham failed to clear the ball and a defender was adjuged to have fouled a forward,although it looked like the Felixstowe man had made the most of a slight challenge. The penalty was given and was cooly converted. Felixstowe went 3-1 up minutes later and Brantham had to thank custodian Tom Williams who ,again, pulled off a top class save to deny a forward adding a fourth. Brantham's Page rattled the post from a driven shot as Brantham looked to get back into the game. In added-on time Brantham were awarded a penalty and up stepped Danny Garrad to tap home for his and Brantham's second of the night.
--thanks to Daniel Allen for the match report---barry felgate---

Brantham Reserves great 4-1 win away to Wanderers plus photos!!

2010-11-08T06:49:00.000-08:00

Top photo - Goalkeeper Ross Welton who made a superb save frtom a penalty to keep us level at 0-0. Bottom photo - manager Allan Merchant who had a top class game at the back and was urging the team on the whole game.

RIDGEONS RESERVES - SOUTH - SATURDAY NOVEMBER 6th

IPSWICH WANDERERS RESERVES 1 BRANTHAM RESERVES 4

We travelled over to Ipswich to take on a Wanderers reserve side that had given us plenty of problems when we defeated them at home at the start of the season. With Ipswich Town getting the Wanderers pitch in first class condition we were all looking forward to the game. With the first team not having a fixture we brought Sean Gunn in for some much needed minutes.
The game started with a big, strong Wanderers side causing us some problems from set play situations and from a corner nearly opened the scoring, but luckily for us they struck the woodwork. We started to settle down and hit the woodwork ourselves when James Long did well down our right and put in a great cross only for Adam Thompson's over head kick to strike the foot of the post. We were getting more into the game and had more possession but the final ball in and around the Wanderers penalty box was lacking. Wanderers were happy to hit their front men as quickly as possible and from a good ball into our box the referee adjudged that James Long had fouled their centre forward and awarded a penalty. This was a harsh decision but thankfully for us Ross Welton pulled off a fantastic save to his left to keep the score level. This seemed to pick us up and from our next attack Alex Street found Sean Gunn who made ground down our left and their back line could not handle his pace and he shot into the bottom corner of the goal to give us the lead. The pace of our front four were causing the Wanderers defence real problems and on another break manager Merchant played in Danny Garrod who found himself one-on-one with the keeper but his final touch let him down and the ball fell to Shaun Webb who missed when it seemed easier to score! We then increased our lead on 40 minutes with a great goal. Adam Thompson and Sean Gunn combined well down the left and "Gunny" found young Danny Garrod who finished well, so 2-0, and looking good. Right on half time Wanderers forced a corner and we failed on two occasions to clear the ball giving their forward the easiest of goals to put them back into the game. This goal didn't really effect the half time team talk to much as had played the better football and we stressed to the boys to continue to pass and move and continue with the work rate.
This we did and from the very first attack Ben Green played in a cracking cross which fell perfectly to Danny Garrod, who again produced a top class finish-3-1. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Wanderers and for the rest of the second half we played,probably, our best football this season. We scored the fourth goal 20 minutes into the half when again we broke at pace with Danny Garrod made ground towards goal on our right and played in Adam Thompson who found the back of the net with a rasping shot. We then made some changes bringing on James Turner and Alex Stocker for Sean Gunn and Adam Thompson but we continued to play attractive one touch football which Wanderers were struggling to cope with. We almost increased our lead on two more occasions when James Turner sent in a stinging volley which was well saved and the move of the game which involved nearly our entire team, keeping the ball for 5 minutes, and it ended with Ben Green had a good chance but all credit to the Wanderers keepee who pulled off a great save. So a great 4-1 win which moved us 7 points clear at the top of the table and sets us up nicely for this coming Saturday's cup game at home to Haverhill.
Brantham - 1-Ross Welton. 2-Scott Cooke. 3- James Long. 4-Allan Merchant. 5-James Glenn. 6-Sean Gunn ( 1 goal). 7-Ben Green. 8-Shaun Webb. 9-Alex Street. 10-Adam Thompson ( 1 goal). 11-Danny Garrod ( 2 goals). Subs - Kevin Mann, Alex Stocker and James Turner.
Comment - I travelled to see the game and the team played some top class football and they played as a team and for each other. When we saw the size of some of the Wanderers lads we thought it was going to be a hard game, and it turned out to be one as well, but the Brantham team played some good, fast, attacking football and at times Wanderers had no answer to that.Listening to some of the Wanderers people after the game they were impressed with us and no doubt to my mind that the team did the management, themeslves and the club proud, well done lads.
Thanks to Nathan Burrell for his report----barry felgate---

Brantham go down 4-0 on a windy evening at Leiston!

2010-11-04T06:05:00.000-07:00

RIDGEONS PREMIER DIVISION -TUESDAY NOVEMBER 2nd
LEISTON TOWN 4 BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 0
We made the journey to Leiston to take on a side that are at the top end of the table.Once again we had several key men out, Jack Sibbons and David Grimwood aggravated injuries in the match against Dereham. Lee Grimwood was in America and of course Ryan Bedingfield is a long term injury with his knee problem. Leiston are not the sort of team that the management team of Tony Hall and Colin Grogan wanted to face with a somewhat depleted squad. Leiston chose to play with the wind at their backs and the swirling strong wind, did help them when playing long balls forward. Ex-Brantham man Michael Brothers had the first chance when he cut inside from the wing and let fly with a shot that went across the area. We started to get in to the game and a good ball played out wide to Chris French, who had motored up from left back, saw Chris hit a good volley which brought out an equally good save from the Leiston keeper. Leiston broke the deadlock when Danny Cunningham turned his marker and from close range slotted home at the far post. We then lost midfield man Ben Spencer to a clumsy tackle and minutes later a mix-up at the back allowed Danny Cunningham to score his second from close range,leaving keeper Ross Welton no chance at all. We were playing some decent football and had some chances, but these were being hurried or stopped by an alert Leiston keeper. Just prior to the break Leiston's Danny Smy made ground and from almost on the dead ball line he sent in a fierce shot at goal .Ross Welton saved the shot and cleared up field only to see the linesman signal to the referee that the ball had gone over the line- goal number 3 for Leiston.
The second half saw us with the wind behind us but that did not help when Leiston added a fourth after the restart. The ball was played through for Danny Cunningham to latch on to and from outside the box he sent in a thunderbolt of a shot to make it 4-0 to the home side. We started to move forward and we had chances but Leiston were prepared to defend in depth which made things that much more difficult for us. Despite being somewhat overwhelmed at times we played our way out of trouble by playing good,passing, football. Ollie Mann was unlucky when saw a great shot punched off the line by the Leiston keeper. Minutes later an inswinging corner was also cleared at the last minute by a startled defender. Skipper Simon Mann was urging his team on the whole game while centre backs of Adam Bloss and Andy French more than had their work cut out in keeping Leiston at bay. Striker Ollie Mann ,who led the line superbly, had no reward for all of his hard work and efforts at goal.
Comment -Talking to some of our fellow Brantham supporters it was agreed that when we are able to call upon a full squad of fit players we can, hopefully start to pick up points. I would make the point this is not being disrespectful to any Brantham player, as I am sure they all give 100% in every game they are involved in but things have not turned out to the way we had hoped they would ,but there is still time. Since the start of the season in August manager Tony Hall has not had a full squad to choose from. We have picked up more injuries so far this season than we did in the previous two seasons. We have some very good young players coming through and they are being involved but at this level of football our opponents don't take many prisoners.Good also to see both Jack Sibbons and David Grimwood at the game, despite being injured. Thanks also to, once again, our travelling loyal band of supporters who get 100% behind the team regardless of the result. I was laughed at by a couple of Leiston supporters for my continued shouting and support of our team, but I made the point that I am proud to be involved with and supporting Brantham, regardless of results, and wondered how many of them would support Leiston if they were having an indifferent season, maybe not that many!! ( I will get off my soap box now!!)
The next first team game is not until Saturday November 20th when we are away to Wroxham. Hopefully, by that time we should have most of the walking wounded fit and ready to play,keeping our fingers and everything else crossed!!
Brantham - 1-Ross Welton. 2-Kieron Smith-Edwards. 3- Chris French. 4-Andy French. 5-Adam Bloss. 6- Ben Spencer. 7-Sean Gunn.8-Simon Mann. 9-Ollie Mann. 10-Kieran Lawler. 11-Adam Thompson. subs used - Lee Willcox, Ben Sparrow and Danny Garrad. Subs not used - Nathan Munson and David Grimwood
---------barry felgate-------------