Five-star Bramford lift Charity Shield
BRAMFORD United swept aside Stowupland to claim the inaugural Suffolk Champions Charity Shield.
The McDonald’s Suffolk Primary Cup winners produced a five-star performance to outclass the Total Football Suffolk Junior Cup holders from start to finish as they won 5-0 at Needham Market FC on Friday night.
David Kempson helped himself to a hat-trick, with Danny Tatum and Baden Holmes also getting on the scoresheet as Bramford United ran riot at Bloomfields.
Macron SIL Division One side Stowupland had no answer to the slick passing of their opponents, who were playing in Division Three last season.
It took Bramford United nearly half-an-hour to get their noses in front, Camillo Douglas getting to the byline and crossing for Kempson to find the roof of the net.
Stowupland goalkeeper Greg Graham produced smart saves either side of the opener from Steve Morris, before Stowupland had the best chance of the night in first-half injury time, Sam Bobby finding Ryan Rampley but he pulled his shot across the face of goal.
It took Bramford just four minutes of the second-half to add their second, Kempson scoring with a powerful, low cross-shot from the left-hand side of the penalty area.
It was 3-0 after 63 minutes, substitute Connor Moore upended the lively Douglas and Kempson rifled home the penalty.
David Kempson (blue shirt, No.15) scores with a powerful rising drive to give Bramford United the lead against Stowupland Falcons in the Suffolk Champions Charity Shield at Needham Market FC. Main photograph: Kempson (centre) is congratulated by Danny Tatum (right) with Baden Holmes (left) after completing his hat-trick. Photographs: Paul Voller
Just two minutes later Danny Tatum, who along with brothers Ash and Baden Holmes dominated the midfield, rolled the ball into the bottom far corner to make it four despite Graham getting a hand to his shot.
Grant Monaghan, who had spectacularly volleyed over Tatum’s left-wing corner on the hour, then landed awkwardly and was in some distress and had to be replaced.
Baden Holmes completed the scoring in the 76th minute, curling home from the edge of the penalty area.
Bramford United manager James Fulker said afterwards: “I was a bit nervous at the start as coming back after a few weeks off is never easy, especially as we haven’t had the best chance to train, but playing on a surface like this always helps so I was very happy with the performance.
“This surface is a surface that you want to play football on – you don’t get the chance to play on this very often and I thought tonight we did it justice as we moved the ball from side-to-side and made them do the running which is handy on a hot night like tonight.”
Bramford United pose with the Suffolk Champions Charity Shield following their 5-0 victory over Stowupland Falcons. Photograph: Paul Voller
Both sides were asked to support a local charity, with Stowupland Falcons choosing Stowmarket Foodbank and Bramford United selecting Suffolk Mind. The purchase price of tickets will go directly to each club’s chosen charity.
The Shield was presented to Bramford United by Paul Miller and Connor Grimwood, who were representing McDonald’s, sponsors of the Suffolk Primary Cup.
The Teams
Stowupland Falcons: Greg Graham, Aston White, Sam Bobby, Craig Lockwood, Blake Richards, Luke Ranson, Callum Lee, Rueben Bailey, Jack Minns, Ryan Rampley, Steven Craig. Used subs: Jordan Dye, Andrews Cason, Ki Patey, Lukas Fishlock, Connor Moore, Ewan McAndrew.
Bramford United: Luke Singh, Chris Lawson, Jack Larkins, Ash Holmes, George Cooper, Grant Monaghan, Vinny Ford, Baden Holmes, Steve Morris, Danny Tatum, David Kempson. Used subs: Camillo Douglas, Jerome Primus, Ted Cooper, James Fulker.
Referee: Alex Shipp.
Attendance: 110.
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