Brantham hold the leaders to a deserved draw in high-tension match

GOAL Josh Kerridge rifles in the ball from the edge of the penalty area to open the scoring for the Seasiders at Brantham. Photo: STAN BASTON (Image: Archant)

No-one should have left the Leisure Centre ground disappointed with the football produced as these two sides played out a draw that was a pretty fair reflection of a close game between two sides vying for one of the promotion spots this season, writes Phil Griffiths.

It was the third meeting of the clubs this season, both having recorded a win at the Goldstar ground, and it was a tense, tight affair that could have gone either way as they both enjoyed good periods in the game, and both showing their strength in depth, missing key players but with the starting line-ups looking strong in front of a decent crowd, boosted by the Seasiders travelling fans, who were once again out in numbers.

The opening 45 minutes was end to end football with Brantham’s Kyle Ferguson making a probing run in the early minutes and both defences happy to concede free kicks and corners to keep the other side at bay.

Felixstowe’s Joe Francis headed just over when a Stuart Boardley corner was only half cleared, and Danny Crump had to punch away a Craig Hughes’ flag kick at the other end under pressure.

Brantham keeper Callum Robinson in aerial combat with Josh Kerridge of Felixstowe. (Image: Archant)

Both Rhys Barber and Josh Kerridge went close with headers from set pieces, but neither Callum Robinson in the home goal or Crump were really extended in the opening 45 minutes.

The deadlock was broken a minute into the second period when Kerridge made a probing run from the half way line and fired the visitors ahead with an unstoppable volley from 18 yards.

Michael Brothers twice went close for the home side before full back Ed Nobbs drew the sides level with 15 minutes left, breaking away and in a one-on-one with the visitors’ ‘keeper, seeing his initial effort parried by Crump but the loose ball rebounded into his path and he slotted it into an empty net.

Francis, on a jinxing run, was denied by a spectacular save from Robinson late on and Brothers saw his clever effort rattle the Seasiders’ bar in a high tension finish before the referee called time.

Referee: Karl Seasr

Att: 140