Newbury 1 Brandon 4
Brandon travelled to Newbury knowing that not only a win will do but a good goal tally was needed. Brandon started well but decisions from the referee were not going for them. Newbury took the lead from a long ball over the top and the striker finished well. Brandon seemed to struggle on a full size men's pitch and looked lost at times as there pass and move game could not be used on such a huge pitch. They started to settle and should have had a penalty when Walters made a great run with the ball, Beat two players and was then pulled back in the box but the referee decided that it was a good challenge. Beard was released and the keeper did well to save at his feet. Brandon levelled just before half time when beard fired home from a tight angle.
The second half started as the first finished with Brandon playing all the football and Newbury playing the long ball game. Early on in the second half and Thompson received the ball on the edge of the box to be completely taken out by a Newbury player but the referee gave a drop ball. This spurred on the boys and they soon took the lead when F.Joe kept the ball in play passed to Walters who scored only for the referee to give a goal kick. Brandon rallied and soon took the lead when Beard received the ball down the right, beat a player cut inside and smashed the ball home with a great strike. Brandon knowing that they needed goals pilled on the pressure.  A long ball over the top put F. Joe through and he coolly finished only for the linesman to flag for offside. Brandon were then rewarded a free kick out side the box, up popped Sanders who fired a good shot into the top corner 3-1. With a few minutes to go Beard was put through again and finished well for his hatrick. 

Brandon Lads 1  Withersfield 0
Brandon entertained Withersfield knowing that only a win would do to keep their hopes of winning the league alive. Brandon started well and dominated early proceedings. Wilcox in a changed position of wide on the right was causing all sorts of problems, The midfield of Thompson and Walters were dominating. Few chances were created buy both teams and the game looked very cagey with both teams knowing that one mistake could cost them. Brandon did come close with Beard and F. Joe both having chances but could not finish. 
Brandon came out in the second half knowing that they needed to score, they started very well and created a lot of half chances. Beard came close but his effort well saved by the keeper. Withersfield looked very dangerous on the break and they should have opened the scoring but the forward pulled his shot wide. Brandon then had the ball down the left, Lines passed to Beard who the hit a good cross in for Last to power the ball home. This seemed to open the flood gates and Beard should have doubled the lead but the keeper saved well from a 1v1. F. Joe then had a great chance to double the lead but once again the keeper saved well. More chances were created but that extra goal would not come.

Brandon Lads 8  Newbury 1
Brandon started brightly and were dominating the early exchanges, with some nice passing and moving down both flanks. Early chances from Wilcox, Beard and F.Joe were either well saved or missed. The defence of Sanders, Day, Haley and Last were playing well and stopping any attack that Newbury had. Mid way through the half and F.Joe was put through and he beat the keeper. Some good work down the left from Lines and some good hassle from Beard saw the ball break to Wilcox who pulled it back to F.Joe who fired the ball into the top corner. Newbury pulled a goal from a great volley hit outside the box and left Gathercole no chance.  half time 2-1
Brandon started the second half knowing that not did they need to win but also needed to add to their goal talley if they were to defend their league title. Early in the half the ball fell to beard who raced through and hit a low shot and F.Joe powered the ball home for his 3rd. Straight from the kick off Brandon won the ball back and Walters was put through to hit an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. Brandon were now on fire and Beard took over the game, He picked up the ball from the half way line and raced through to coolly beat the keeper. He soon added his second when Walters put him clean through to score. His 3rd came from the spot when a shot from Last was handled. His 4th and probably the best goal of the day came from some great passing from all over the pitch, F.joe passed to Beard on the edge of the box who then hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner. This passage of 20mins was the best the boys have played for a very long and they look like they have come into form at the right time with 2 cup finals and a semi final coming up.

Thetford Independents 1  Brandon Lads 3
Brandon went into this rearranged fixture knowing that only a win will do if they were to catch league leaders Withersfield. They started brightly and enjoyed the majority of the possession. Walters and Wilcox were strong in midfield and the defence was solid. Walters came close with a long range shot which was well saved. Late on in the half Wilcox put a ball over the top into the corner for Beard to chase, the keeper came out and cleared the ball but the on rushing Beard managed to block the clearance and coolly finished from long range. 
The second half started well for Brandon and they quickly doubled the lead when F.Joe was put through and finished well. Indies had a few long range efforts but Gathercole did well. Beard added his second when he was put through again from Wilcox and he slotted the ball past the on rushing keeper. Brandon then missed a few chances and Indies did pull a goal back when a defensive error allowed the striker to finish. More chances were created but the score remained 3-1. Not the best performance but a much needed 3 points.

Brandon Lads 2 Gorleston FC 2  (Brandon win 5-4 penalties aet)
Brandon went into this semi final game low on confidence due to some poor results. From the kick off Brandon were under pressure and with some poor defending found themselves 1 down after some poor defending. The long ball over the top caught Sanders and his defence napping and the Gorleston striker coolly beat Gathercole in the goal. This woke Brandon up and for the rest of the half they dominated the game. Within 10 mins of conceding a goal Brandon were on level terms when F. Joe beat The Gorleston defence and raced through to beat the keeper. Chances went begging for Brandon and should have taken the lead when F. Joe was put through again only for the keeper to make a great save. Gorleston then took the lead again through a penalty, which was given much to the dismay of the home team.
The second half started as the first finished with Brandon on top of the game, Wilcox and Walters were dominant in midfield and F. Joe and Beard were causing all sorts of trouble up front. Brandon came close to level the game when beard had a good shot saved, F. Joe then came close but the keeper did well again. The defence of Day, Sanders and Last coped well with the pace of the attackers.  Mid way trough the half Brandon played some nice football and F. Joe put Beard clean through who hit an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. Brandon then played some really good football and were unlucky not to take the lead when Thompson hit the bar from a great header. The final 10 mins were played in the Gorleston half but Brandon could not find that finishing touch.  The game then went into extra time and Brandon were on top for the whole 20mins. with chances being created but the finishing touch was not there. Credit must go the opposition team as they never gave up, Thompson could have sealed the game when he hit wide from close range.  After the final score the game went to penalties, Gorleston were up first and coolly slotted home, next up was Thompson for Brandon who coolly put the ball out of reach into the top corner. Gorleston then converted their second pen, up popped Beard who riffled the ball into the bottom left for Brandon. Gorleston then converted their 3rd and gave Gathercole no chance. Bick then stepped up for Brandon and scored. Then it was time for the nerves of players to hold, up popped the Gorleston player who his shot against the bar. Sanders was then given the opportunity to give Brandon the upper hand and he coolly sent the keeper the wrong way. The Gorleston then had to score to keep his team in the game, he coolly beat the keeper and put his shot into the top corner. Walters was left to put Brandon into the final, he stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong to put Brandon into the Open cup final for the second year running.  Credit must go to both teams for a great semi and it was a good performance from the Brandon side, but in the end the better team won the game and we hope that this year the boys can bring the title home.  Final score 2-2 Brandon win 5-4 0n Penalties  

Brandon Lads 2 Thetford Independents 0
Brandon started this game knowing that only a win will do if they are to compete and defend their title this year. Indies started well and played like they wanted revenge for the 2 cup defeats by Brandon. The first half was a scrappy affair with Indies on top for the majority and thanks to Gathercole for 2 great saves from what seemed to be  certain goals. Brandon did create a couple of good chances and when Bick crossed for Last to head home it seemed harder to miss than to score but the header went over the bar.
The second half started much better for Brandon and they managed to get their foot on the ball, Wilcox and Walters were stronger in the tackles and the forwards held the ball up much better. With a ball over the top and a great flick on by Beard saw F. Joe clear for a 1v1 and he did the business and finished well to take it 1-0. Indies hit back strong and could have levelled but Gathercloe made another great save. the lads then rallied and Lines was playing some nice easy simple passes for the forwards, Sanders was dominant in the defence as always and seem to distribute the ball well when he stopped an Indies attack. Mid way through the half and Last dribbled his way through the defence only to be denied by a good save from the keeper. Last got his rewards when a good ball over the top and an Indies defender headed it  against his own cross bar for him to the take it around the keeper and blast the ball home from close range. Indies had a few half chances but the back line of Day, Sanders and Haley stood firm.  This was not the best performance from the boys and Indies will feal hard done not to take something from this game. with players recovering from illness and boys due back, the next 2 games are vital for the season with a trip to Withersfield for the league cup semi and then the visit of Gorleston for the open cup semi.

Hadleigh 1  Brandon Lads 5
Brandon travelled to Hadleigh with only 10 players, they started well and dominated the game. Sanders hit a 25yrd free kick that cannoned of the cross bar, Wilcox and Thompson dominated the midfield. Brandon created many chances but every shot seemed to be hit straight at the keeper. Line did well down the left and linked up well with the forwards. F.Joe hit a great shot against the bar and Wilcox hit a 20yrd shot the also cannoned of the woodwork. Brandon did take the lead late on from a good shot from lines that went into the top corner.
The second half started as the first finished and Brandon soon doubled the lead from a cool finish from Beard. Lines added his second from a good cross and a good header. Like in the first half Brandon created loads of chances but seemed to rush the final touch and the shots were hit at the keeper. Brandon were awarded a penalty but Sanders shot was well saved by the keeper. Hadleigh pulled a goal back when a long ball over the top and some confusion between Sanders and Gathercole and Sanders hit the ball into his own net. Brandon soon resumed the 3 goal advantage from a great individual goal from F.Joe and he soon added his second from another great solo run. Brandon still created loads of chances but the score remained 5-1.  This was a good performance from 10 players but Brandon must convert their chances if they are to retain their title and catch run away leaders of the league Withersfield.  

Thetford Independent vs Brandon Lads
No report  

Needham Mkt 0  Brandon Lads 5
Brandon travelled to Needham know that they had secured their place in the semi final. They started in a bright mood and came close just after 5 mins when F. Joe danced around the defence only to hit a tame shot at the keeper. Needham looked busy and hassled Brandon at all time. Brandon dominated the game and came close again when Beard hit a good shot and the keeper did well to save. Brandon seemed to do things right until the final touch and they came close again but the defence from Needham managed to clear the ball. Walters and Wilcox kept the tempo up but the telling pass from the midfield was missing. Half way into the half Walters hit a lovely cross and Last was there to tap in from close range. The remainder of the half was a scrappy one with Brandon dominating in possession but not creating a decent chance.
Brandon started the second half and welcomed back to the squad Day from illness, they came out well in the second and were quickly on the attack, F.Joe beat 3 players down the right and fired his shot just wide of the goal. Brandon's passing was now telling and they were creating some great chances but the finishing was missing. After 10mins of the second half Brandon increased their lead with a great goal from F. Joe. Beard then extended the lead with his hardest chance of the game. Brandon now were playing like they used to and were more relaxed in their passing, F. Joe came close again, Walters had a good shot saved from long range. Beard was dangerous when he went down the left. The 5th and final goal came from the ever running Last who chipped the keeper well. Thompson hit the post late on. The defence of Sanders, Day and Haley played well throughout.

Achilles 4  Brandon Lads 3
Brandon travelled to Ipswich with the bare 11 as they had some players missing. Brandon started well and dominated the first half. Last was outstanding down the left and Beard was causing them loads of problems up front. Brandon took the lead after ten minutes when F.Joe beat two players and coolly slotted the ball home. They increased their lead when Thompson powered home from close range. More chances were created but the defence of Achilles held firm. Just before the break Thompson made it 3-0. 
Brandon came out in the second half asleep, the Achilles striking was causing all sorts of problems down their right side. They pulled a goal back from a long ball over the top and the striker finished well. This panicked Brandon and they quickly conceded another, another long ball over the top and it was 2-3. Brandon now had a game on their hands and were creating half chances, Bick did well down the right but the cross could not be converted. Brandon were on the attack and they were caught with a sucker punch, another long ball over the top and it was 3-3. By now the boys were trying to rally together but it just would not come off for them, everything they tried just did not work. Then the impossible happened, another Brandon attack was cancelled out and it was 4v3, a long ball over the top again and the Achilles striker finished well by lobbing the keeper.  This was a game of two halves, Brandon dominated the first but credit to the opposition who worked out how to play against Brandon and did it well. On another day a few chances would have gone in and Brandon would have came away with the win.

Brandon Lads 1  Newbury 0
Brandon started this game slowly and took a long time to settle into it. The visitors started well and with their commitment and determination seemed to put Brandon off their passing game. the first chance fell to Brandon and F. Joe did well to create the chance but put his shot wide. Newbury seemed to win all the 50-50 challenges and put Brandon under consistent pressure with their closing down. Brandon did at times show what they are capable of and put some nice passes together to create half chances but the keeper did well to save. Up the other end Brandon were not troubled by Newbury and Gathercole mopped up all their long through balls. Beard came close with a 1v1 but the keeper did well to save.
The second half started and Brandon seemed more committed to the game and were causing problems down the left flank. Early on in the second half Beard collected the ball down the left and beat a couple of players and had a good shot saved. Newbury then conceded a throw-in on the left, Last through the ball to Lines who flicked it onto F.Joe who then passed to Bick who put the ball into an empty net. This settled Brandon and they could have doubled the lead only for Bick to fire straight at the keeper. Newbury were very committed throughout the game and they seemed to put Brandon off at any chance possible with their hard tackling and constant pressure. The visitors came close when a long ball over the top found their striker who shot well but the ever reliable Gathercole saved as if it was a bread and butter save. more chances were created and the midfield of Wilcox and Walters worked hard throughout the game. Chances were created by both sides but in the end the quality of Brandon's football came through.

Brandon Lads P  Withersfield Colts P 

Brandon Lads 2  Bury Town 0
Brandon started this game in a confident mood, with some slick passing they soon took the lead through a F.Joe goal. After the goal Brandon settled well and created some good chances. Thompson had a clear chance only to be denied by some good goal keeping. Walters and Wilcox were dominant in midfield as always. Mid way through the first half Lines got the ball down the left had some great interlink play with Last and put the ball across the goal and bick volleyed from close range and the keeper pulled of a great save. Bury were a very busy side and upset Brandon's play on a number of occasions. The defence of Last, Sanders and Day was solid as always. Many chances in the half were created but not converted.
The second half started as the first finished with Brandon camped into the Bury half. with some nice football played Beard came close but once again the Bury keeper saved well. Bick came close again with a one v one but the keeper did well to save at his feet. There was many long range efforts from Walters and Wilcox but once again the keeper could not be beat. Mid way through the half Bick was fouled out side the box, up popped Sanders to rifle the free kick home. This settled Brandon and at times the passing was excellent but the finishing touch was not there. Beard came close again but the keeper tipped the shot over the bar. Sanders seemed to cut out anything that bury had to offer when they came forward and his distribution was excellent to set up another attack. Bury had a great shot late on which Gathercole managed to get a finger to and tip it over the bar.  This was a good performance from Brandon and with chances created they could have had double figures. Bury have to be congratulated on their hard work and commitment throughout the game. This is the first cup final reached of the season for the boys and hopefully they will defend their trophy in may.  

Brandon Lads 10  Stow Town 0
Brandon started this game in a vibrant mood after scoring 27 goals in their last 3 game. They soon got into their passing game and took the lead through Beard who coolly slotted the ball past the stow keeper. Brandon soon doubled the lead from a great long range effort from Wilcox. Stow did look busy on the break and the defence of Sanders, Last and Day kept them at bay. Brandon were switching the play well and the movement off the ball was good. Brandon created more chances and from some excellent passing Beard scored his second.  
The second half started and Brandon soon made it 4. Some good work down the left flank from Lines, he cut inside and passed to Walters who hit a riffle of a shot, the shot took a deflection and sailed into the roof of the net. Brandon were now playing lovely football and Stow did look dangerous on the break. The 5th came from some good play down the left and F. Joe converted from close range. Gathercole was strong in goal and came off his line well to mop up the through ball. The midfield of Wilcox and Walters is developing into a great partnership and they controlled the game from start to finish. The new defence of Cromie and Haley were solid and Bick was ever reliable down the right. The 6th goal came from Bick after some good work from Beard down the left he crossed and Bick riffled it into the top corner for his first goal in a Brandon shirt. The 7th came from the spot Sanders converting. Wilcox scored the 8th with another great long range effort. Last got the 9th with a great solo effort beating 4 players and coolly slotting the ball past the keeper. Thompson rounded the scoring off with a close effort after a good shot from Beard was well saved by the keeper.  This was another great performance from the boys and a deserved win.

Waveney Youth 0  Brandon Lads 12  -  Open Cup
Brandon started brightly and soon went ahead from a great strike by Beard who coolly lobbed the keeper. He soon added his second with only 5mins gone on the clock. With the Waveney defence keeping a high line and Brandon playing some nice one touch football it was not long before they added the third. F. Joe coolly latching onto a through ball from Wilcox and rounded the keeper. He added his second after Beard once again lobbed the keeper for it to hit the post and F. Joe followed up for a tap in. Brandon were causing Waveney all sorts of problems with their good movement and passing. Last playing in his new position of left defence had a great game and was the start from most of the attacks. Sanders controlled the defence and was strong throughout in his new position of central defender. Brandon added a 5th before the break with a good finish from Lines.
Brandon started the second half as they finished the first and they extended the lead from the kick off, F.Joe hit a great strike to beat the keeper. Beard added another 2. Brandon then swapped the team about and Gathercole came out of goal and into the midfield. Sanders went between the sticks, Day was pushed into midfield and Last took up a position behind the front 2. This saw the introduction of Haley and Cromie in the defence who were solid as normal.  Thompson soon got onto the score sheet with a great strike, Walters got hid reward for his endless running with a power strike to beat the keeper.  Bick was ever reliable down the right and provided some decent crosses for the strikers. Last got onto the score sheet with a great individual run and rounded the keeper for a great finish. With 5 mins to go Brandon were given a free kick just outside the box, up popped Gathercole who hit a great strike, which was headed off the line. Day got his first goal for Brandon with a simple tap in after great work from Walters.  This was a good all round performance, with 5 goals being disallowed for dubious offside decisions and with players in new positions it was a solid game from the team.

The lads would like to congratulate Isaac Jagroop who is on a six week trial with Ipswich academy and they wish him all the success.