Blue Imps Continue Impressive Start - Brantham Athletic vs. Woodbridge Town

It was my first floodlit game for almost a year

Other commitments this weekend meant that I wasn't going to get to a game this weekend and as I finished work for the week on Wednesday, I travelled a little further then I usually would in midweek for The Eastern Counties Premier Division game between Brantham Athletic and Woodbridge Town. The two sides have had contrasting starts to the season with Brantham not losing and Woodbridge losing every league game so far. The previous weekend, Brantham defeated Ryman South side Barkingside in the FA Cup which earned them another tie against Ryman League opposition in the form of Needham Market.

Kick off at Brantham Leisure Centre

The game has a very scrappy start and the first effort of note is a Woodbridge Town shot from the edge of the box which goes well wide. Brantham have their first chance when a corner isn't fully cleared and a half volley goes just wide. The home side take the lead when a brilliant cross from the right hand side is lashed home at the back post. Brantham then create two good chances to double their lead, the second being blasted well over despite being free in the area. The tricky Brantham winger then manages to get his way to the byline but the keeper is able to stop his close range effort. Brantham come even closer when a sliced clearance by a Woodbridge player clips the top of the bar. They do get the second when the winger is brilliantly played in and he places the ball across the keeper and in to the net. Woodbridge have a great chance just before the break but the forward can connect with a diving header.

First half action shot

Woodbridge almost get in behind the Brantham defence at the start of the second half but the keeper is quick off his line to cut out the ball forward. Brantham come desperately close to a third after a moment of pinball in the box but the Woodbridge defenders are able to get their bodies in the way. The home side do get a third when the winger is allowed to cut inside and his low effort beats the keeper. They almost add a forth but the keeper makes a good save with his feet. Woodbridge then create a couple of half chances but for the rest of the game it is all Brantham. There is good football all round when the Brantham forward has a long range, first time effort fantastically saved by the keeper, but to everyone's bemusement, the referee gives a goal kick. The keeper is powerless moments later when an effort hits the base of the post. Brantham add two late goals to complete an comfortable 5-0 win.

View towards the clubhouse with the big stand just in view on the left.

As I said earlier, it takes a little while to get to the ground from London but the ground made the trip worth while. The nearest station is Manningtree which is about an hours journey from Liverpool Street and the trains depart on a regular basis. At the station itself is The Manningtree Station Buffet which despite the negative reviews is a good first / last calling point. The walk takes about twenty minutes and just on the Suffolk side of the border is The Crown which looked quite lively when I walked past. The clubhouse looked like it had been renovated recently and had Sky Sports. I also full recommend the burgers.

The programme was another brilliant effort from an Eastern Counties club. There are a lot of detailed articles and I was particularity impressed by the bits covering past meetings between the teams. There were also thorough match reports and pages detailing goings on around the rest of the league.

View of the old stand from the newer stand.