Brantham Athletic 0 – Saffron Walden 3
30th April 2016
What a way to end the season, with a 3-0 away win at
Brantham. It was a lovely day in Brantham and the fans were all in good
spirits. Amazing what a few days can make to the weather forecast. Wednesday
night in Swaffham, we were all shivering from the cold. Today we didn’t need
our long johns, coats and hats.
So, this is my last match blog of the season! I have attended
every match, home and away, cup and league and even though I enjoyed every
minute, this last match felt a little depressing knowing that the season was
over.
When we arrived at Brantham I sat with Mabbo and his kids.
Mabbo was out of action due to a calf injury, but still came along to support
his team. The lads came off the pitch and Sticko told us the team. We were
missing our regular three strikers; Wiggy, Turner and G Man, but this gave the
opportunity for the talented U18’s player Charlie Dicker to form a partnership
with experienced and reliable Spike Bell. Charlie’s brother Jamie was also
called up to be in the first team squad after an impressive season with the U18’s.
Those two are now known as the brothers of destruction. I believe that's what the
WWE used to call Kane and Undertaker.
The Team
Pacey, Abbott (C)
(Pabbo), Grindrod (Viking), Snelling (Mashy), Fleming (Rhino), Moody (Perry),
Noble (Nobby), Drane, Bell, Murphy (Boss), Dicker (Chaz). Subs: Harper, Jamie
Dicker and Wardley (Sticko)
The First Half
The Bloods took instant control of the match and put
pressure on the defence early. The lads had a swagger about the way they
played. Each player seemed to express themselves and seemed confident. It didn’t
take long for Chaz to make a big impression on the fans. He skilfully dribbled
the ball towards the area, but was fouled just outside and won the Bloods a
free kick. With Wiggy unavailable, the responsibility fell to Drane. Now I have
never seen him take a free kick before, so I was interested to see how he did.
Draney curled the ball over the wall and into the top corner, making it
impossible to save. It was a brilliant goal and he had a grin from ear to ear
as he ran away to celebrate with his team mates. It was 1-0 and we were just
warming up. Wiggy now has serious competition! The goal was timed around 8
minutes into the match.
Draney was on fire and confidence was high. He received the
ball in the 18 yard box and took it around the defence. He struck the ball
well, but his effort was deflected for a Bloods corner.
12 minutes into the match, and the Boss was causing havoc
down the wing. He beat his man at the corner flag and tried to set Chaz on the edge
of the 18 yard box. He went for a first time strike, but the ball was always
rising and went over the bar. It was great positioning from him.
Nobby put in a lovely challenge to take the ball of Mann,
and he fed the ball out to Boss. This was lovely football. Brantham were
closing down well, but the Bloods had the upper hand and played the ball before
they potentially lost it.
22 minutes into the match, and Brantham won a corner. Mann took
the corner but Pacey rose well and caught the ball between the pack of players.
26 minutes into the match, and Mashy showed great determination
on the wing and managed to fend off Tevivian, as he tried to take the ball off
him. Trevivian did well to block his cross, but conceded a throw in for the
Bloods. The Viking went for a long through to the near post, but Hawkins did
well to collect the ball out of harm’s way.
28 minutes into the match, and Bell came really close to
scoring with a curling effort into the top left hand corner. He linked up well
with Chaz, and pushed the ball onto his right foot. Hawkins had to dive at full
stretch to palm the ball out for a Bloods corner. Bell took the corner but it
was well defended by Brantham.
33 minutes into the match, and Bells placed a lovely ball
over the defence for Mashy to run onto. It looked like Mash was pulled to the ground,
but the referee was not convinced and waved play on.
We were working very hard to get the second goal, but the
defence stood up well. They stopped the Bloods from finding that killer pass in
the box and setting someone to make a clear shot. Nobby managed to get in a shot,
but it was deflected for a Bloods corner. Brantham's defender Nobbs, was shouting at his
players to work harder….or something along those lines. Bell took the corner
and it was curling inside the near post, but Heath, was in the right place at
the right time and blocked the ball on the line.
38 minutes into the match, and Pacey made a lovely save to
deny Mann from scoring with a powerful shot, from the corner of the 18 yard
box. Pacey pushed the ball clear for a corner ball. The corner sailed over the
pack, and Travis ran to retrieve the ball. Travis set Harry Mann at the edge of
the area, but his shot went sailing over the bar.
Just before the final whistle, Drane came close to making it
2-0 after running onto a lovely through ball from Bell. He tried to steer it
into the corner of the net, but lacked the power it needed and Hawkins got down
early and held the ball.
HT: Brantham 1 – Saffron Walden 0
The Second Half
I saw Mashy before the second half started and he had hurt
his hamstring earlier on, after trying to change direction quickly. He managed
about three minutes into the second half and was substituted for Harper. Well
done to Mashy for trying to play on, but we were glad he came off because we didn’t
want him risking further injury as he is a huge part of the first team. If I
was picking the team he would be one of the first names on the team sheet. So,
well done Mash and stay off the sick bed.
At this time, we had heard that Melford were 2-0 down, so if
the score stayed as they were, we would finish in 8th and be the highest
placed team out of the three teams that were promoted last year.
Brantham were awarded a free kick about 25 yards out. Heath
tried to test Pacey, but the ball was comfortably collected by Pacey.
52 minutes into the match, and the Bloods were awarded a
free kick after the Viking was fouled near the corner flag. The free kick was
taken but didn’t trouble the defence.
There was a worrying moment when the Boss went to ground,
but after a bit of ‘Sticko’s magic sponge’ he soon got up and played on. We
laughed as the Boss ran off the pitch before Sticko did, so he could be allowed
to continue as soon as possible.
Our pressure paid off after a lovely two pass combo, which
saw Draney head the ball into the back of the net. Harper crossed the ball over
the defence for the Boss. The Boss headed the ball back into the box for Draney
to steer it into the net. His header was quite a way out and was not easy to
score. It was certainly Draney’s day and we were all egging him on to get a hat
trick.
68 minutes into the second half, and Chaz turned his
defender on the line, which left him on the floor. He tried to square the ball,
but the defender got the slighted of touches. The ball found its way out to
Drane as the crowd watched him charge in, but his shot went over the bar. We
all thought that was going to be his moment of fame.
73 minutes into the second half, and the Boss made it 3-0
with a cracking goal. He received the ball in the far corner of the 18 yard
box, stood up strong, turned his marker and drilled it into the bottom corner
of the net. Well done Boss! Brilliant work and thoroughly deserved! Not too
sure about the celebration though?!
75 minutes into the second half, and Grantham won a corner
ball for O’Brien to take. He played it short to Harry Mann, who set Travis, but
his strike was just wide of the post. You could see they had been working on
that in training.
Shortly after, Pabbo was replaced by Jamie Dicker for what
may have been his debut for the first team?! I may be wrong so please correct
me if I am. Well done to Pabbo who did a great job as captain and played a
solid game.
82 minutes into the second half, and Drane was replaced by
Sticko. Now according to Sticko’s latest press release, this will be the last
time he puts on a Walden shirt. He was greeted with a huge cheer by the fans.
Somehow I think the old boy will be back! If it is the last time, then thank
you for everything you have down for the club over the many years as player,
captain and now manager……..I hear we are looking for a new kit man?! LOL, more
on that later!
86 minutes into the match, and Rhino put in a great challenge
on Crisell to stop him from shooting at goal, and the ball found its way to
Pacey to collect.
The very last action of the match came from Brantham.
Crisell had an opportunity of getting a consolation goal, but his shot went
over the bar and kept Pacey’s clean sheet intact.
FT: Brantham 0 – Saffron Walden 3
MOTM goes to Max
Drane after a brilliant brace and an all-round excellent match. Drane
recently broke into the first team this year, and has had his bad luck with
injury but today certainly proves that he is one to watch. Well done Max and
congratulations.
As the match was going on, we were getting regular updates
from Fiona on the Ressies score. We heard it was a thrilling match, and the
boys won 4-2 at home. Morrell scored a hat trick and Manser got the 4th.
Well done to Ray, Keith and his lads.
And my final note, and as always I save the best for last
but sadly yesterday was Dave Orley’s last match as kit man. Dave has so much
love and respect from the lads that he will be missed and the place won’t be
the same without him. Dave, I hope you enjoy retirement and please don’t be a
stranger. Be great to have you with the fans, cheering on the boys…you can
always keep Mrs Nash from getting her flannel out! The boys gave him the bumps
after the match which was a really nice thing to do……not sure how he felt
after.
So that’s it for my match blogs this season. I have been
asked to do a summary of the season which I will do in the next week or so,
otherwise enjoy the break, thanks for reading and I hope to see you either at
the awards night or in pre-season.
Up The Bloods
PS. The Shot Stopper Selfie Challenge is coming to a ground
near you!
All the best
Scrippo
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