Lattice Barn 1 – 2 Brantham Badgers Sunday 14th November 2010 On Sunday Brantham Badgers ventured into Ipswich to play an RM3 league match against bottom of the table, Lattice Barn, at Gainsborough Sports Centre. The Badgers started the match in a 4-4-2 formation with Justin Vince returning to the starting line up in the centre of midfield. Despite being bottom of the table, Lattice Barn had the best of the play in the early stages of the game. The Brantham back four were caught looking for offside when a Lattice winger broke clear. Ashley Bowdler in the Badgers goal was quickly off his line to narrow the angle, forcing the winger to shoot wide. Brantham settled and began to pass the ball comfortably. Alan Backhouse was finding space in the centre of the park to spray the ball around. One pass found Sean Kearney just inside the Lattice box, just as he was set to strike the ball a clumsy challenge from the Lattice full back dispossessed him. Sean believed he was actually fouled, but the ref waved play on. With the ball at the full back’s feet, Sean dived in at the player rather than the ball and earned himself a yellow card for his efforts. Brantham went on to create a few chances but the Lattice keeper seemed to be in the right place at the right time. The score at half time was still 0-0. Justin Vince was replaced by Greg Ranson for the second half. Brantham were having the better of the play with Glen Bones and Jamie Carrington leading the line well. It was the Lattice Barn’s counter attacks that troubled Brantham, who seemed to have a deep back line. A long ball bounced over the Brantham centre backs and a Lattice striker was first to react and chase the ball. The striker found himself one on one with keeper, Bowdler, who dived at the player’s feet doing just enough to put him off his strike as the shot was poor and bobbled out for a Brantham goal kick. Brantham responded to this and were immediately attacking down the left, a stray pass saw the Lattice keeper clearing the ball from just outside his box. The clearance was poor and fell to Brantham’s Greg Ranson who controlled the ball and hit a fierce long range shot which beat the keeper as he scrambled back and the ball nestled in the corner of the goal. Lattice Barn had been threatening the Brantham goal with their set pieces. A free kick was played deep to the back post where Lattice seemed to outnumber the Brantham defence. As the ball dropped to a Lattice striker, he calmly finished to level the match. Brantham again attacked down the left flank, some more good work from Sean Kearney earned Brantham a free kick within shooting distance. Craig Clarke stepped up to deliver the ball to the back post, everyone missed it but thankfully it was on target and after one bounce the ball ended up in the top corner of the net. Lattice Barn 1, Brantham Badgers 2. Lattice Barn continued to press hard looking for another equaliser but the Brantham defence now seemed to have gotten themselves organised. Alan Backhouse had dropped to centre back and Terry Percival came on in his usual midfield role. Final Score Lattice Barn 1, Brantham Badgers 2. Brantham never really got into top gear and were made to fight hard for their three points. Lattice Barn may well be bottom of the table but are capable of giving any team in the division a difficult game. Brantham Badgers are next in action when they take on Snow White and the 21 Dwarfs at the Badgerdome on Friday evening. This is a charity match supporting Children In Need, hope to see you there! >
