23 September 2023 - Cup Match - 7-1 Victory for Brandon Blues -vs- Shincliffe Juniors Whites

7-1 Victory for Brandon Blues

Match Report by Ian

That first home game of the season feeling. The sleepy close season is forgotten as the players and fans return to their spiritual homes, excited ahead of a busy winter schedule and the tantalising potential spoils come next spring. With today’s fixture against Shincliffe being a cup match it gave an extra opportunity of silverware come what may. 

 

Buoyed by their success away in the lowest reaches of County Durham last weekend, Brandon CFC were back where they belonged this Saturday – in their Community. The game began with a frantic pace from the hosts, Seb forcing the Shincliffe keeper into two early saves, a mazy solo run from Jackson who’s resulting effort sailed wide and John beating two men with strength and aggression before drilling his shot at the goalkeeper. All this was in the first three minutes.

 

Brandon continued with the pressure in the early exchanges, on 6 minutes John sprung an offside trap from a static back line, broke away but the keeper saved his one-on-one effort. A few minutes later a driving run from Jakey drew space allowing John to run clear but once again the custodian came out on top. Moments later Kian poked towards Seb who dug it out but fired wide.

 

Unable to get a hold in the game, Shincliffe resulted into hitting long balls. When a few of these did by-pass the midfield, they weren’t able to breach the Brandon back line, with good blocks from Charlie and some well-read last-ditch tackles from the rock at the back Ashton.

 

In goal makeshift skipper Barney was reduced to being a spectator, however he took his captains role seriously, shouting words of encouragement from between the posts – “it’s coming Brandon!”

 

And coming it was. On 26 minutes good work by Hugh down the right delivered a teasing low ball into the box that was cut out by a defender. Pressure from Jackson and Seth in the area caused Shincliffe to fluff the clearance. It fell to that man John, who’s Beckhamesque lob from 20 yards sailed over the flailing keeper and crashed into the net. 1-0.

 

Shincliffe failed to reset from the resulting restart, a loose ball being pounced upon by John who broke away for his third one on one of the match - but this time the outcome doubled Brandon’s lead. 2-0. 

 

There was time for a rare Shincliffe attack on 29 minutes, but Jakey put in a solid slide tackle to ensure Brandon went into the interval with a clean sheet. 

 

For the second half Shincliffe changed their goalkeeper, but it didn’t change their fortunes, as a minute after the restart Jackson hit a sweeping effort from the right of the penalty area which wrong footed the defence and keeper and nestled in the far corner. 3-0.

 

Brandon maintained their chokehold on the game, Oscar and Seb pulling the strings and having unsuccessful efforts, but the pressure was telling further on 41 minutes, Ethan with tricky feet shrugging off the last man before unselfishly laying off a square ball for Jakey to finish easily. 4-0.

 

Two minutes later it was five, a Hugh assist through the middle for Seb to give chase who subsequently drilled it under the keeper. 5-0.

 

Brandon had to stay alert and avoid complacency, Barney was forced into a solid save from the Shincliffe number 11 on 45 minutes, and the same player flashed another effort wide two minutes later. However, with the rain starting to fall, it couldn’t dampen Brandon spirits as another goal was forthcoming. A corner from the left wasn’t dealt with fully allowing Ethan on the edge of the area to hit a low rasping drive into the goal. 6-0.

 

With Shincliffe moods as grey as the storm clouds they completely folded, switching off and allowing Jackson to tamely roll the ball home on 56 minutes. 7-0.

 

Although there was to be no cup upset, there was something of a minor surprise at the death when Shincliffe broke away twice through number eleven, his second chance resulting in a late consolation. 7-1. 

 

It was a much undeserved goal and one which rankled with Barney, who said afterwards in his post-match interview “it was a great win, we just switched off at the end”.

 

Prior to the consolation the morning’s result was already long concluded, but such high demands from the makeshift captain will hopefully hold Brandon in good stead in the further stages of the competition. It’s Northeast Skills Feyenord in the next round, and with great team spirit – a nod to soon to be registered Roma supporting from the bench - who’s to say there can’t be a successful cup run?

 

 

BRANDON COMMUNITY FC 7 (SEVEN) 

SHINCLIFFE JUNIOR WHITES 1

 

Goals – John 25, 27                       

              Jackson 31, 56

              Jakey 41

              Seb 43

              Ethan 52

 

Attendance - Unknown

16 September 2023 - League - 4-1 Win for Brandon Blues -vs- Newton Aycliffe FC (Whites)

4-1 Victory for Brandon Blues

Match Report by Jude

Brandon Blues put in a solid performance as they kicked off their first match of the new season. They began the game with drive and determination and it wasn’t long before their pace and focus saw them primed for the first goal of the season; Having forced a corner, John took the ball and placed it perfectly before Jake who had no problem getting it past the goalie Making the score 1-0.

The rest of the first half was full of opportunities to score, and although none of these resulted in an increase on the score line, it was a testament to the focused and purposeful approach just how many near misses there were. Whilst the majority of the attacks came from Brandon, a few speedy runs from Newton Aycliffe allowed our defence to kick into action as they saw off any threatening plays and prevented Newton Aycliffe from making any indents to the score; Oscar providing the speed and reliability, Ashton adept at getting a leg in at the most opportune moments, and Barney providing great leadership as he kept command of the back end of the pitch.

Needless to say, half time provided a well needed rest.

The second half was a bit of a paradox. Despite a more subdued pace the goals seemed to start racking up.

Oscar (who could never be accused of being subdued) didn’t let his defensive position stop him from getting in on the action - having decimated the other teams line of attack and midfield opposition, Oscar took the ball from one end of the pitch to the other for a defensive royal rumble. Unperturbed by the unorthodox situation he’d created, he dispensed with his counterparts as he skilled the ball towards his partner in crime Ethan. Ethan claimed the moment as he decisively smashed the ball into the back of the net making the score 2-0.

The game continued with an air of casuality, and what felt like a lull in the game made way for what was a most exciting display of expertise by Jake. With a calm assurity Jake graciously weaved the ball through a gaggle of defenders before effortlessly guiding the ball into the net for his second goal of the match  taking the score to 3-0.

As full time approached, there was time for one last demonstration of mastery. The ball was played into midfield and received by John. With no time for hesitation, John spotted his mark and powerfully sent the ball speeding over the pitch and over the goalie. The opposition were  taken by surprise as the ball found its mark in the back of the net. The supporters of Newton Aycliffe’s jaws dropped in disbelief, but those from Brandon have become well accustomed to John's outstanding ability to score from anywhere on the pitch.

The blues formed a cohesive team with individuals contributing their strengths to better the performance of the team: It was Charlies and Seth’s debut performances in the league and what an impressive premiere it was. Charlie making interception after interception, and Seth making himself a nuisance to any opponent within his path.

Final Score 4-1