Brandon United 2-3 Esh Winning, Wednesday 7th February 2024

Brandon United 2-3 Esh Winning, Northern League Division 2, Welfare Park, att. 171

I’m in hospital for an operation tomorrow, so what better way to enjoy potentially my last day on planet Earth by taking in Brandon in the Northern League? It seems apt too, as Brandon have also just recovered from a near-death experience. This is their second game back following a two month hiatus, the Northern League giving them every chance to continue following administration.

However, their 40 year Northern League membership hangs by a thread. On a run of 12 consecutive defeats (87 conceded, 52 in the last 6), they’re 4 points adrift of not-quite-as-bereft Washington. However, with 7 points in 21, it’s difficult to see where they’ll get the wins necessary, which is a shame for a side who’ve won the Northern League as recently as 2003. The Wearside League beckons.

I like Welfare Park too. True, it’s only got one stand and it looks like a barn and the rest of the ground is open to the elements, but it’s on a hill and tonite you can see the twinkling lights of Durham City below. Daytime, you can see the cathedral, when the ball has been launched into the allotments behind the goal (a frequent occurrence). The ground is also only 15 minutes drive from my former house. Only Spennymoor lies closer.

It’s also derby nite tonite, Esh Winning. Perennial strugglers, they’re top half of table (just) despite a goal difference of minus 15. They’ve brought good support here tonite and the gate is an encouraging three figures. Such were numbers, I couldn’t get into the car park, so again, hopefully positive times ahead for Brandon.

That they found themselves two down at half-time was not unexpected, though the source might have been. It’s 20 years since I’ve seen a player score 2 direct free kicks in the same game, though the first, a daisy-cutter, owed more to a poor wall and goalkeeping. Given previous results, and despite a new manager, Brandon looked dead and buried. After spending most of the first half inbetween the dugouts, I walked around to the stand, and a welcome cuppa. It does get cold in Brandon.

Second half, game going nowhere, Brandon pull one back. Another free kick, and it’s the pick of the herd, a left footed curler into the top corner by Robbie Murray, a player of enough heft for rugby. Then, with 10 mins left, Murray shows some daintiness belying of his stature, before burying it from 20 yards. Esh look shellshocked, as am I. However, there is one last sting in the tail. 84 mins gone, there’s an injury. The player takes an age to be tended to, and I spy the toilet. Why wait till the game’s end when I can go now? You know the rest. I went, Esh scored. Bumping into my old history teacher Mr Sixsmith, it was another quality goal. Header off a corner and Arron Jackson’s hattrick. Brilliant. Just brilliant.

The Damage:
£5 ent
£1.50 tea
= £6.50