Brandon Town 4 – 4 Loddon Utd Sat 9th August 2025 2.15pm ko
Scorers: Marco x 2, Harv J x 2
Assists: Jamie, Serg, Harv J, Marco
Loddon: Harvey Harris; Jamie Whiteman, Bailey Hill, Hayden Knights,
Josh Knights; Elliott Hannant (c); Matthew Webster; JJ Godfrey; Harvey Johnson, Marcus Dunthorne-McInerney, Tom Sergeant.
Subs: Lewis Hill, Liam Kent, Matt Ayre
Manager: Jake Sharpe Assts: Paul Reader, Andrew Zagdan

This was all we needed. Brandon away for first game of the season, with the usual shortage of players at this time of the season…but at least Sharpey had his top management squad. Always a good social bunch when they come to us, we have old friends there but Brandon is not a happy hunting ground and maybe that had something to do with our shortage of players…who knows?
But hey, we got a point and we’d‘ve taken that at 2.15pm, and credit to the boys for that under tough circumstances. Max’s pre match ‘hammy’ issue, Jamie’s ankle, and Harvey H’s dislocated finger (now thankfully back in place), all tested our resolve to the limit. On top of that Brandon had a right ‘Charlie’ in midfield who was a magnet to the ball and caused us problems all afternoon with his ability and antics. How I wish I could have played against him in my prime…
An early ball forward found Marco who was brought down on the edge of the home area. We converted it to a corner but were unable to make the most of Brandon’s penalty area panic; El’s ‘curler’ slipping just wide of the post. We looked bright in attack mode but against the run of play, 5 minutes in, Brandon broke left and squeezed the ball home from close in with our defenders looking quizzically at each other. 1 – 0
Serg, always involved down our left, created a chance for Harv but his flick went over. Marco’s movement opened up space but we failed to threaten the keeper. We allowed Brandon a free volley after their free kick but they too fired over. Our travelling secretary was distracted and saw stars after misdirecting her header, but it was the start of something. Bailey looked right for Harv but the ball fell to Jamie. One touch and then a volleyed cross was perfect for Marco lurking in the box and he headed home to put us level on 13 mins. 1 – 1
A good spell from us followed. JJ and Webbo got stuck in in midfield and Marco won another free kick from which Serg went close. Webbo had a shot (yep, true) saved, and Bailey was pushed and beaten before getting back with a superb tackle to concede a corner (our boy is deceptively quick) which JJ defended well at the near post. Then on 26 mins, quick thinking by Knightsy with a throw in put Serg away down our left and his clever cross was met at the far most by Harv who headed down to put us in front and send the travelling Posse (5) crazy. 1 – 2
Soon after, Bailey hit a sweet chip centrally over the top to Harv but unfortunately the finish did not match the pass and the keeper closed Harv quickly and saved. Marco then crossed but the ball was just out of Harv’s reach.
Sharpey was enjoying his afternoons banter with the opposition but I don’t think it was mutual, but it did keep the Posse smiling. Harv went through again chasing El’s nice chip but a defender got back to retrieve possession. It was 40 mins in and we were dominating and from a Jamie volleyed clearance, Harv challenged and his volleyed pass found Marco entering the box, and in true Marco fashion, he rounded the keeper and slotted home. Needless to say the Posse were again in raptures. 1 – 3
2 minutes later we were brought back down to earth. Hayden had to close down a striker on Brandon’s right but the cross was made and found an unmarked striker who had an easy finish even though Harvey H spread himself as best he could. 2 - 3
Webbo managed another shot off target, Harvey H palmed away a header, Knightsy headed away the corner and Brandon shot over, and were well back in it at half time.

Harvey H started the second half with a good low block with his right foot and came out of his area to make a tackle (hands over eyes on the sideline) and timed it to perfection. Jamie had to come off with a swollen ankle and was replaced by Lewis in a straight swap. Webbo was guilty of overplaying in midfield, lost possession allowing Brandon to break and shoot onto the bar. Finally Brandon’s midfield ‘Charlie’ was booked for a high boot on Webbo. Knightsy’s free kick was cleared, Lewis defended their break well so that we could break back resulting in Webbo’s third shot of the afternoon forcing a brilliant save by the home keeper. The Knights boys worked together to stop the next home attack. We defended the two following corners well. Lovely play by JJ saw a 1:2 with Serg and a good save to keep JJ off the scoresheet. But on 63 mins Lewis defended and fed Harv who in turn moved the ball to Marco. Another nice 1:2 with Serg allowed Marco to attack the home box, beat a couple of defenders on the bye line and cross for Harv to have a simple tap in for his second and our 4th. 2 – 4
This seemed perfect timing as Brandon had been on top territorially and we now had a welcome cushion. Brandon tried a ‘lets dive into a defender’ trick on Lewis in an attempt to win a penalty. Fortunately the Ref didn’t buy it but he made amends next time Webbo made a tackle by showing a yellow card which I believe could not be justified. The free kick was sent into the far post where Harvey H was clattered resulting in a dislocated finger and Max having to don the gloves. Hayden had to take the kicks (because of Max’s hammy) and the Posse was pacing up and down with nerves jangling. Liam came on to replace JJ and showed some nice touches but soon realised the physicality and pace was a real test. On 79 mins, Brandon broke left, managed to square into the box where the useful substitute centre forward, unchallenged, neatly turned and fired beyond Max to further jangle the nerves. 3 – 4
Marcus had a glorious chance from Harv’s forward ball but the keeper did well. Cramp set in and may have been the problem(?). Lewis and Bailey hesitated and fortunately for them the shot was wayward. Serg set up Marco but he drove over the bar. Max was managing to kick with his left or throw the ball out but Brandon kept coming back. A free kick into our box saw panicky defending, the ball in the air and another corner conceded, but lino Paul had his flag up, drew the Ref’s attention and convinced him to award us a free kick and calm things down for a moment. Hayden swept the kick forward but we had no calmness or control and quickly Brandon were back at us and moving the ball around. We relied on Hayden to call and clear again and Bailey to carry the ball into their half and beyond. But he was eventually robbed, the ball sent back to our end where a tired Knightsy failed to deal with it and an angled shot from the right was fired across Max and into the far corner to bring the score level with 5 minutes plus extra left. 4 – 4
Knightsy went long with his next touch, Marco was hauled over, and after consultation with the lino, the defender was shown red and a free kick for us just outside the box. El played the captain card but tamely struck the wall (where’s Chrissy H when you need him?...oh yes, bench warming somewhere).
In an effort to hang onto a point, Jamie and his strapping bravely came back on and Lewis moved to the left to replace Liam. Jamie quickly showed Brandon what a slide tackle involved and their free kick went straight to a grateful Max. Bailey was caught and had to back pass to Max which was not ideal in the circumstances. JJ came back on for the cramped up Webbo, Jamie winced after clearing a cross with his strapping and we survived 9 minutes of added time to hang onto a point.
A great game to watch (for the neutrals, if there were any) with goals, incidents and VAR decisions (not, obvs) and plenty of banter from both sides but smiles all round at the final whistle.
‘Starkings & Watson’ MoM goes to MARCUS Dunthorne-McInerney for his two goals, an assist and the longest name on the teamsheet!

Back to the White House for a lay down after that whirlwind! See you next Saturday at the Jub for the visit of Holt United…it doesn’t get any easier…..JC