Report

Brandlesholme finished off the season at home against top of the table and champions Phoenix looking to avenge their unfortunate defeat earlier in the season and in keeping with the form shown in the last game and a half they arguably saved their best performance until last.

It was a frantic opening 10 minutes with both sides attacking at will but it was Brandlesholme who drew first blood courtesy of Conor who was enjoying his stint further up the field and was causing the Phoenix defense all sorts of problems. He slotted in after getting on the end of flowing move to give the hosts a slender lead.

A lead that was not to last long with Phoenix hitting Brandlesholme on the break and calmly slotting past Sam P in net when one on one. Within minutes Dibsy had restored the home advantage with probably the sweetest shot of the season as he got on the end of a fantastic cut back from Luke to hit a shot that looked like it was going wide until at the last minute it bent back in and nestled in the bottom corner of the net.

Yet again within minutes Phoenix hit back again catching Brandlesholme cold on the break to level the scores. All this and only 10 minutes into the game but things started to calm down a bit. Brandlesholme organised themselves better at the back whilst continuing to cause problems up front with the tireless work of Lewis rattling the visiting defenders. It was due to this that Phoenix only half cleared their lines and the ball fell to Nathan who hit a wonderful shot through a bunch of players and into the back of the net to give Brandlesholme a lead they were never to lose.

Brandlesholme continued to play some fantastic football and whilst Phoenix continued to look dangerous at times they never really threatened Sam P in net. Just before half time Luke finally registered a goal that his efforts had deserved when a pin point cross found him one on one with the keeper who he calmly slotted the ball past to leave the score at 4-2 at half time.

The second half was a much more quiet affair as both sides seemed jaded from their first half efforts. Brandlesholme had Sam P to thank for a couple of smart saves whilst Brandlesholme continued to pose a threat up front. With the game heading for a comfortable 4-2 victory Luke had time to receive another pass from the outstanding Dibsy that he converted for his 2nd of the game and Brandlesholme 5th.

It was a fitting end to a fantastic season, third place is guaranteed with 11 victories, 1 draw and 4 defeats. In the last couple of games the whole squad has shown on their day they were the best team in the division and but for a couple of unlucky defeats would surely have taken the title.

The lads left the field for a well earned rest with a smile on their face and Lewis left with the player of the match for his tireless work up front that set the whole tempo of the match.