Brandon United v Crook Town

Hosts: Brandon United FC

LOCATION REPORT

Venue: Welfare Ground, Rear Commercial Street, Brandon, Co Durham DH7 8PL

SatNav: DH7 8PL

Parking: onsite carpark + overflow for up to 60; ad hoc space on service road & adjoining streets
Public transport: buses 49, 49A (Brandon-Durham)

Entry: adults £5, concessions £3
Programmes: none available

Refreshments: clubhouse (eg £1 coffee, £3.50 for double-burger)
Licensed bar: clubhouse
Toilets: clubhouse, adjacent to entrance
PA system: none

Covered stands/terraces:
(W) main West Stand = c.150 seated
(W) covered terrace, in front of the West Stand = c.100 standing
Open viewing:
(W & E) grass banks/concrete areas
(all sides) hardstanding + lean-on barriers all round

Floodlights: 6 (3 per flank)

MATCH REPORT

Kickoff: 3:00pm Saturday 26 January 2019
Competition: Ebac Northern League Division Two
Weather: chilly breeze, approx 8°c, damp/overcast turning to driving rain

Team colours:
Brandon United = red shirts/shorts, white socks
Crook Town = all sky blue (away kit)

Official crowd: 63 (season average = 59)

Final [h/t] score:
0 [0] Brandon United
4 [2] Crook Town

Sent Off: 0

Official League Report

NORVENMUNKI's COMMENTS

I have been to the Welfare Ground before, years ago, for a reserves match in the Durham Alliance at Step 9. It was an evening match, I recall, a warm evening in August. In the intervening years, I have always been looking forward to a good excuse to return.

Perched on the hillside to the southwest of Durham city, overlooking the Deerness Valley, the venue commands lovely views across the rooftops and beyond; the busy buzz of the suburban arterial road network visible in the distance, with the ever-changing traffic lights at Neville's Cross catching your attention.



Yet, today the grey threatening sky was doing its very best to dampen the vista. Hanging like a dirty blanket, the clouds blocked the winter sun and pulsed with the pressure of an inevitable downpour that would wash any lingering colours from the afternoon.



As we ascend the steps from the car park up to pitch level, a mother and daughter arriving alongside me speculate the likelihood of rain, and sensibly make straight for cover in anticipation.
A man is standing to one corner armed with a huge golfing brolly, a wise idea but it's not raining yet.

Behind one goal end, there are twelve wooden benches which, in drier times could provide open-air seating for around fifty, masked by the netting.

There is a public park neighbouring the site, as well as a haphazard patchwork of allotment plots. I imagine wayward shots landing amongst the cabbages, and looking like cauliflowers.

I head across the open space alongside the stand, patting the friendly chocolate labrador as I pass, and settle in the main covered stand, the West Stand. It is furnished with six long wooden benches, each painted in a lush club red, with white seat numbers daubed on.



More relevantly today, it also boasts an impressive overhanging corrugated metal roof which provides a generous level of protection (both to the seated and to those in the standing area against the wall) from whatever weathers one might experience in this exposed position: in summer, no doubt a wonderful cooling shade; today, I can't feel any wind at all.
A young boy is engrossed in a game on his tablet, the incongruous soundtrack of the video game.

The players take to the pitch, shivering, their boot studs clopping out down the flagged path. Despite the dullness up above, the six mighty floodlights are not switched on yet, nor throughout the first half. Handshakes. Game on.

The conditions aren't exactly conducive to smooth open play, but this local derby is full of honest energy and commitment. Just before half-time, Crook are awarded a penalty. Although it's saved by the Brandon keeper, the deflected loose ball is crossed back in and is met with a header at the back post.
Within a minute, the visitors have a second: a beautiful curling shot nestling in the top corner beyond the keeper's leap.
Frustration for the home side, it being so close to stalemate at the break, and some players are losing their heads. The interval may allow them to regain some composure to complement their spirit.
Half time: 0-2.

I take a walk down to the clubhouse for refreshments. It's very quiet, most people are wisely nursing hot drinks. I take a coffee. There are no chips left apparently, but the lady at the bar tempts me with a burger. She explains how she's been sourcing the 'better ingredients', rather than "that greasy stuff". When it comes, it's double-sized and served in the softest of rolls. It's a destiny of the groundhopper to become an aficionado of burgerology, and this is definitely worthy of an endorsement.

Returning to the pitchside, the gloom appears to have lifted, but it's more likely that the floodlights are warming-up for second half. Rain is properly falling now but, as I return to my roost, sheltered under the vast roof, I can only hear the tapping overhead, whilst others stand about with ever-dampening shoulders. 



The grass outfield is chained-off in many places: maybe to protect people from slipping or else to protect the semi-constructed perimeter walls from being disturbed.

The game restarts; its pattern much the same as before. Another away goal, looping into the far corner, is greeted with a short ripple of applause from the travelling fans. Later, a conclusive strike is accompanied by the merest of whoops: 0-4. Game over.



We trudge out, down the puddly paths and into an evening of flickering streetlights and the slurp of wet tarmac. The drizzle seems to have lightened slightly, but the darkness in the sky sums up the mood of the locals; whilst the away fans disappear on their short journey over the grey hill with three points in their pockets.
One last pat of the loyal, friendly labrador as I depart. As I shake the rain off my hat, I can imagine the revenge of the wet dog.

MORE INFORMATION

Club Twitter: @BrandonUnited
Club website: www.brandonunited.co.uk