Bramford hosted fellow title challengers Felixstowe Falcons for the 1st time. It was a big game for both sides Title charge, and the game proved better for Bramford in the tight game at Acton Road
Bramford were without Idris, Logan, and Tom Stone (suspended), Falcons were without Ben Bullock and their first choice goalkeeper.
Bramford starting XI: Joel, Gus, Reece, Alex, Grant, James K, Will, James R (C), Lewie, Josh, George. Subs: Mark and Pat
This was probably the only game since Rickinghall that we have started as slow as we did today. Felixstowe had a plan of trying to sit behind the ball and then try and thread balls through to the front two up top. Jordan Youngs who has been considered as one of the league’s best centre forwards in past years was looking very out of form and looked a different player to what he did 2 years ago. Bramford had a few chances to take the lead and so did Falcons. On 14 minutes James Race broke the deadlock as his shot across the goal, found the far corner and Bramford had the lead. 1-0.
Josh Lea re-accruing hamstring problems became a problem again for the 2nd game in a row when he was substituted on 16 minutes. He was replaced by Mark, Lewie went up top to partner George and Mark went to Left Midfield.
James R and Will were playing very well in midfield, non-stop running and picking some good passes out, they tackled hard and it showed in the whole Bramford’s performance.
On 32 minutes, Falcons forward managed to turn Alex on the edge of the 18 yard box, and then finish off a move by placing the ball beyond Joel. 1-1.
5 minutes later Lewie was booked for kicking the ball away when through on goal as he was ruled offside.
Grant picked up a knock and Pat replaced him.
Falcons thought they’d taken the lead when a corner was hit back post and the forward headed it back over in to the top corner only to be ruled offside and Bramford would go in level at half time.
Josh and Grant returned for the 2nd half and Pat and Mark returned to the bench.
2nd half was all Bramford, Falcons had a couple of breaks that the back 4 and Joel had to deal with. Lots of chances came and went for Bramford, and you could almost start to think it might not be Bramford’s day. When Falcons broke Joel was at hand to save at the forwards feet after a bit of confusion involving the linesman.
George picked up the ball on the edge of the box and Will over lapped him, ran through into the box, got to the by-line, took on falcons defenders and slotted past the oncoming Falcons keeper to make it 2-1.
George could have instantly made it 3-1, but his run was halted by the Falcons centre back. A goalmouth scramble a few minutes later sealed the tie when James R’s miss kick fell to George to put in the net to make it 3-1 to the hosts.
Falcons then went for broke and tried putting everything forward and with a minute left on the clock James K found himself running towards goal and finished the game with Bramford’s 4th goal, keeping his composure to put it past the Falcons keeper. 4-1.
With that result it means we move 12 points clear of Falcons, and 6 points clear of Sutton Heath.
Results:
Bramford United 4-1 Felixstowe Falcons
Claydon 2-2 Hadleigh United
Eye Saints 2-3 St Johns
Rickinghall Gunners 2-3 Wickham Market U18s
Wickham Market U17s 1-6 Sutton Heath
Witnesham Wasps 7-0 Bacton United 89
