Normal 0 Elite 405 1, Brantham Badgers 3. Three-sy does it for Bonesy!
After a nice drive through the Suffolk countryside the Badgers turned up at Elmsett Playing Field to take on Elite 405 in the second round of the cup. Badgers in their changed red & black strip started the match with an unfamiliar 3-5-2 formation. Greg ‘Snapper’ Ranson’s lateness forced last minute changes to the starting line up.
The game kicked off in the brilliant sunshine and you could have been forgiven for thinking this was a pre-season friendly being played in August not the first weekend in October. Maybe that was why the Badgers never really got going throughout the 90 minutes.
The Badgers got the game underway and were immediately attacking down the right flank, the ball eventually going out for a goal kick. Ross Cracknell disagreed with the linesman’s decision and made everyone aware of his frustrations by verbally attacking him. With the game barely thirty seconds old Ross was first to be spoken to by the referee - not many people would have bet against that! It later emerged that the linesman had one eye on the terradactyl in the trees behind him.
Five minutes into the match a well worked passage of play between Cracknell and Backhouse led to Sean Kearney pinging a perfect cross directly onto Glen Bones’ head who easily directed it past the 405 goalkeeper.
0-1 Badgers.
Only two minutes later there was a serious mix up between Guy Clubb and Darryn Bowdler, both called for the ball and both left it for one another. The 405 centre forward took his chance to pounce on the loose ball and was then one on one with the keeper. A strange decision to square the ball to the onrushing left winger led to a fierce shot but it lacked any direction. That was a massive let off for the Badgers.
Brantham started to settle after the manic opening to the game. Craig Clarke played a nice through ball to Cracknell who found Bones in a great position, the shot had power and was on target but the 405 goalkeeper pulled off a great save.
Neither side were really able to control the game, the long grass, bright sunshine and helium filled ball were among the excuses. Cracknell was trying to put himself about up top and his battling led to Kearney being in on goal but unable to beat the 405 keeper.
Craig Clarke graciously accepted that it was his turn to be substituted this week and was replaced at half time by ‘Snapper’ Ranson.
The second half started as the first finished with very few chances being created at either end. Graham Stiff replaced Terry Percival in the centre of midfield and James ‘Titch’ Lewis replaced Richard ‘Moe’ Mawdsley. The Badgers reverted back to the favoured 4-4-2 formation.
Alan Backhouse was winning plenty of headers in the middle of the park. When he misjudged the flight of one ball, rather than let the opposing player win it, he raised his arm and palmed the ball away. A truly great save - but not when you’re in the centre circle. Fortunately for Alan the Seaman like save gave the whole village a laugh and the referee saw the funny side of it too.
Just as Brantham were looking comfortable with the formation a bad touch from D Bowdler let an Elite forward through on goal and with Clubb galloping towards him frightened him into an early shot which deflected past Ash Bowdler in the Badgers’ goal.
405 1-1 Badgers.
The game wasn’t level for long. A neat bit of skill (step over) from the Badgers right back turned defence straight into attack. Titch received the pass and played a ball over the top of the 405 back line. Glen Bones, who isn’t the slowest in the Badgers’ squad, latched onto it and coolly lobbed the oncoming keeper.
1-2 Badgers.
As the game wore on Brantham were attacking more and more. A ball bounced unkindly and struck a 405 defender’s hand in the area. The referee had no option but to award a penalty. Full of confidence from his earlier goals, Glen Bones stepped up to take the kick. The 405 keeper waited for the ball to be struck before diving, but he just couldn’t get to it quick enough. Bones’ hat-trick was complete, not a bad contribution to the game after turning 30 and having the hangover from hell.
1-3 Badgers.
The remaining few minutes were uneventful. Final score Elite 405 1, Brantham Badgers 3. Brantham now progress onto round three and I believe the open-top bus has been pencilled in. Although the Badgers never really got going and had rode their luck at times they were marginally the better team and deserved their win. Elite 405 play in a lower division but gave the Badgers a well contested game.
The game was played with a great friendly attitude from both teams with the referee having almost nothing to do, however he did remind everyone he was still there at times!
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