Bransay Athletic: Land of the Giants

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Bransay Athletic today clinched a coveted Northern Premier League Division One East play-off spot with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against champions Consett at Belle Vue Stadium on the final day of the 2033/34 season.

In a match dominated by the title-winning hosts, Bransay’s resolute defending - led by goalkeeper Craig Daly and centre-backs Joe Prendergast and Espen Jenssen - secured a vital clean sheet that propelled the Irons into 5th place on 68 points.

Marske United’s 2-0 defeat to Shildon and Bishop Auckland’s 4-1 win over Stocksbridge Park Steels set the stage for a dramatic finale, with Bransay’s superior goal difference of 25, compared to Bishop Auckland’s 10, proving decisive in securing their play-off berth.

Coming into the final day, Bransay held a one-point lead over Bishop Auckland and a goal difference advantage over both them and Marske United, who were also on 67 points. A win would have guaranteed a play-off spot, but even a draw was enough if results elsewhere went their way.

Consett, already crowned champions, threw everything at Bransay, creating several gilt-edged chances, but Daly’s heroics in goal, including a stunning reflex save from a close-range header and the commanding presence of Prendergast and Jenssen at the back ensured the Irons held firm. Despite limited attacking threat, Bransay showed the grit that has defined their debut NPL East campaign, frustrating Consett’s relentless pressure to earn a point.

News of Marske United’s 2-0 loss at Shildon’s Dean Street sparked hope among the travelling Bransay faithful, but Bishop Auckland’s 4-1 victory at Stocksbridge Park Steels’ Bracken Moor Lane meant the final standings hinged on goal difference.

Both Bransay and Bishop Auckland finished on 68 points, but Bransay’s 25 goal difference - bolstered by earlier thrashings like 5-1 wins over Gainsborough Trinity and 4-0 victories over Redcar Athletic - trumped Bishop Auckland’s 10, sending the Irons into the play-offs and leaving Auckland heartbroken.

The result sets up a semi-final clash against 2nd-placed Shildon at Dean Street on Tuesday, 25th April, while Wakefield AFC host Whickham at the Be Well Support Stadium on the same day. Shildon, who finished with 58 points, will be formidable opponents, but Bransay’s 3-2 win over them earlier in the season offers hope. The winners will face off in the play-off final for a chance to join Consett in the NPL Premier Division.

For manager Callum Baird, this marks the first season in over a decade at Bransay without a title and automatic promotion, a remarkable streak that saw the club rise from the North Northumberland League to the NPL East. Yet, Baird remains focused on maintaining his promotion record via the play-offs. “I’m immensely proud of the lads today,” Baird said post-match. “Consett threw everything at us, but Daly, Prendergast and Jenssen were colossal. We knew Marske and Bishop Auckland were threats, but our goal difference held up and that’s a testament to our attacking play this season. Shildon’s a tough draw, but we’re ready to give it everything. Our fans were our 12th man again - they’ll carry us to Dean Street.”

Bransay’s journey to the play-offs has been a rollercoaster. Their FA Cup run to the Second Round, including wins over Shrewsbury Town and FC United of Manchester and their Integro League Cup campaign, which ended in the Fourth Round, showcased their potential, while a early season dip saw them languishing in 14th in August.

Key players like Ryan Tioffo, Zoltán Németh, Wayne Easton and Jakub Adamczyk - who departs for Korona Kielce in July - have driven their resurgence, with a 3-1 win over Billingham Town last week proving pivotal.

As Bransay prepare for Shildon, a play-off semi-final is uncharted territory for a club that has defied expectations for a decade, but with their defensive steel and attacking flair, they are ready to dream of the NPL Premier Division.

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Bransay Athletic are one step away from promotion to the Northern Premier League Premier Division after a commanding 4-2 win over 2nd-placed Shildon in the NPL Division One East Play-Off Semi-Final at Dean Street tonight.

In front of a passionate crowd of over 1,250, including over 160 travelling supporters from Bransay, the Irons overcame an early penalty miss to dominate with goals from Ryan Tioffo, Zoltán Németh and Matt Gordon. Despite late resistance from Shildon, Bransay never looked in doubt, setting up a Play-Off Final showdown against Whickham at the Glebe Sports Ground on Saturday, 29th April.

The match began with a nervy moment for Bransay when, in the 11th minute, Dieudonné Belinga stepped up for a penalty but fired wide, sending the travelling fans’ hearts into their mouths. However, the miss only galvanised the Irons, who took control in the 18th minute. Wayne Easton’s incisive cut-through pass found Tioffo, who coolly slotted into the bottom left corner to give Bransay a 1-0 lead.

Five minutes later, in the 23rd minute, Németh doubled the advantage, latching onto a forward ball from Gordon and firing between goalkeeper Webb’s legs. Németh struck again in the 33rd minute, racing onto a long ball over the top from Cian Byrne and finding the far left corner to make it 3-0, sending the Bransay contingent into raptures.

Shildon, who finished the regular season with 58 points, responded in the 49th minute when Isaac Harrington’s corner found Jacub Putman on the edge of the box, his shot nestling into the near left bottom corner to pull it back to 3-1.

But Bransay’s attacking flair shone through in the 62nd minute, as Németh’s cutback set up Gordon to rifle a top-right-corner strike from the edge of the box, restoring the three-goal cushion at 4-1.

Shildon grabbed a late consolation in the 87th minute, with Alex Brierley heading in Putman’s cross, but it was too little, too late. Craig Daly, Joe Prendergast and Espen Jenssen stood firm in defence, ensuring Bransay’s place in the final.

Manager Callum Baird was jubilant post-match, praising his team’s resilience. “Missing a penalty early could’ve rattled us, but the lads showed incredible character,” Baird said. “Tioffo’s finish, Németh’s brace, Gordon’s screamer - that’s the Bransay we know. Shildon are a quality side, but we never looked in doubt after Belinga’s miss. Our 160 fans were unreal - they brought Forge Road to Dean Street. Now it’s Whickham in the final and we’re ready to give everything to go up.”

Bransay’s path to the Play-Offs was sealed with a 0-0 draw against champions Consett on the final day, where their 25 goal difference edged out Bishop Auckland’s 10 to secure 5th place on 68 points.

Their semi-final performance showcased the attacking prowess of Tioffo, Németh, and Gordon, while Jakub Adamczyk - bound for Poland in July - continued to dazzle.

In the other semi-final, 4th-placed Whickham defeated 3rd-placed Wakefield AFC 2-0 at the Be Well Support Stadium, with goals from Martin Barry and Ryan Battrum. Whickham, who finished the regular season with 74 points, will host the final at their Glebe Sports Ground, presenting a formidable challenge. Bransay’s 1-0 league win over Whickham in December, thanks to Belinga’s goal, offers hope, but the final promises to be a tense affair.

For Baird, this is uncharted territory. After a decade of winning titles and automatic promotions, this is his first season without a championship, but a Play-Off victory would maintain his perfect promotion record. “Whickham are tough, and playing at their ground won’t be easy,” Baird said. “But we’ve got the momentum, the fans, and the belief. We’ve come from the North Northumberland League to this in nine years. One more win, and we’re in the NPL Premier Division.”

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Bransay Athletic’s dreams of promotion to the Northern Premier League Premier Division were shattered in a gut-wrenching 3-2 defeat to Whickham in the NPL Division One East Play-Off Final at the Glebe Sports Ground this afternoon.

Nearly 700 fans, including almost 250 passionate Bransay supporters who made the trip to Whickham, witnessed a thrilling encounter that saw the Irons fight back twice but ultimately fall short. Goals from Stephen Flint and a brace from Theo Carroll secured Whickham’s place alongside champions Consett in the NPL Premier Division, while Bransay must regroup for another season in the NPL East.

The match got off to a frenetic start, with Whickham taking the lead in the 5th minute. Theo Durrant’s corner found Stephen Flint, who rose above the Bransay defence to head home and send the home crowd into early raptures.

Bransay responded in the 13th minute, as Conner Burrows surged down the left and delivered a perfect low cross for Ryan Tioffo to finish clinically, levelling the score at 1-1 and igniting the travelling fans.

The Irons’ momentum was short-lived, however, as Whickham regained the lead in the 32nd minute. Durrant played in Theo Carroll, who lashed a shot off the inside of the far right post to make it 2-1. Just two minutes later, in the 34th minute, Carroll struck again, capitalising on a long free-kick from Harrison Clark punted from the halfway line to find the bottom right corner, leaving Bransay reeling at 3-1.

Despite the deficit, Bransay showed the resilience that carried them to a 4-2 semi-final win over Shildon. They pushed for a comeback in the second half, with Zoltán Németh and Matt Gordon testing Whickham’s defence, but the hosts held firm.

In the 89th minute, Bransay gave their fans hope when Burrows’ cross was nodded down at the far post by Ren Yamada, allowing Tioffo to score from close range and make it 3-2. The final moments were frantic, but Whickham’s defence, marshalled by Clark, stood tall and the final whistle sparked celebrations among the home supporters while Bransay’s players sank to their knees in despair.

Manager Callum Baird was visibly emotional but proud of his squad’s effort. “It’s heartbreaking to come so close and fall short,” Baird said. “Whickham were clinical and those two quick goals before half-time hurt us. Tioffo was immense with his brace and Burrows’ deliveries were top-class, but we just couldn’t find that equaliser. Our fans were incredible. We’ll dust ourselves off, learn from this, and come back stronger next season.”

Bransay’s journey to the Play-Off Final was a testament to their remarkable debut season in the NPL East. After securing a play-off spot with a 0-0 draw against Consett on the final day, edging out Bishop Auckland on goal difference, they dispatched Shildon 4-2 in the semi-final.

Their FA Cup run to the Second Round, including victories over Shrewsbury Town and FC United of Manchester and their Integro League Cup campaign added to a memorable year.

For Baird, this marks the first season in over a decade without promotion, ending a streak that saw Bransay rise from the North Northumberland League to the NPL East. Yet, finishing 5th and reaching the Play-Off Final in their first NPL East campaign is a significant achievement. “We’ve shown we belong at this level,” Baird added. “Whickham earned it today, but we’re not far off. With a few tweaks and the same hunger, we’ll be challenging for the title next season.”

Whickham, who finished 4th with 74 points, celebrated their promotion with their fans, earning a place in the NPL Premier Division after a 2-0 semi-final win over Wakefield AFC. For Bransay, the defeat stings, but the supporters who roared them on will return to Forge Road with pride.

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As I sit down to review March and April 2034, I’m filled with a mix of pride and heartbreak. These final two months of our debut Northern Premier League Division One East season were a rollercoaster, with 10 matches across league and play-offs yielding 7 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses.

We surged into the play-offs with a thrilling 3-1 win over Billingham Town, secured our spot with a 0-0 draw against champions Consett, and stormed past Shildon 4-2 in the semi-final. But the 3-2 loss to Whickham in the Play-Off Final at Glebe Sports Ground left us agonisingly short of promotion to the NPL Premier Division.

We kicked off March with a 3-0 win over Billingham Synthonia at Forge Road on 4th March. Matt Gordon broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, latching onto Billy Warwick’s precise through ball to slot into the bottom right corner. Zoltán Németh doubled the lead in the 61st, heading in Jakub Adamczyk’s whipped cross, and Dieudonné Belinga sealed it in the 90th, tapping in Wayne Easton’s low cross after a surging run.

On 11th March, we beat West Auckland Town 4-2 at Darlington Road. Ryan Tioffo struck in the 2nd minute, finishing Easton’s cutback into the near left corner. Németh made it 2-0 in the 12th, curling a shot into the top right from Gordon’s layoff. Cyrus Axon pulled one back with a penalty in the 18th, but Belinga restored our two-goal lead with a penalty in the 51st. David Williams scored in the 58th from Resharne McLean’s pass, but Espen Jenssen’s towering header from Ryan Hassan’s corner in the 93rd clinched the points.

On 18th March, we dispatched Stocksbridge Park Steels 2-0 at Forge Road. Belinga scored a penalty in the 30th minute after a handball, and Ren Yamada made it 2-0 in the 33rd, rifling a shot into the top left from Belinga’s square ball.

Our momentum stalled on 25th March with a 2-1 loss to Shildon at Dean Street. Jacub Putman opened the scoring in the 44th minute, finding the bottom left from a free-kick. Josh Eppiah doubled Shildon’s lead in the 45+2nd, tapping in Putman’s low cross. Németh pulled one back in the 57th, heading in Easton’s deep cross, but we couldn’t find an equaliser.

April began with a 4-2 win over Emley at Forge Road on 1st April. Rafferty Hyland put Emley ahead in the 18th minute, scoring from Theo Flanagan’s cutback. Tioffo equalised in the 23rd, volleying in Németh’s lofted pass. Mervyn Hunter restored Emley’s lead in the 35th from Jared Chand-Doy’s through ball, but Németh levelled just before half-time in the 45th, curling into the far right corner. Easton put us ahead in the 68th, smashing in Jenssen’s layoff from a cleared corner, and Gordon sealed it in the 85th, tapping in Adamczyk’s low cross.

On 8th April, we edged Washington 5-4 at Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground in a nine-goal thriller. Németh scored in the 18th minute, heading in a long ball from Cian Byrne. He added another in the 20th, slotting in Belinga’s through ball. Adamczyk made it 3-0 in the 34th, heading in Dean Culbert’s cross. Belinga’s tap-in from Warwick’s square ball in the 45+2nd made it 4-0. Washington fought back with Kavan Stainsby’s goal in the 60th from Ronan Vaughan’s pass, Nathaniel Nkunku’s strike in the 65th from Jordan Allard’s assist, and Allard’s goal in the 81st from Jahziah Linton’s cross. Németh completed his hat-trick in the 80th, tapping in Easton’s low cross, but Vaughan’s 96th-minute goal from Murray Dalziel’s assist kept it close.

On 15th April, we secured a crucial 3-1 win over Billingham Town at Forge Road, pushing us into the play-off spots. Jack Leahy scored at the near post in the 53rd minute due to poor positioning by Craig Daly. Joe Prendergast equalised in the 60th with a thunderous near-post header from Easton’s corner. Tioffo gave us the lead in the 71st, slotting in Németh’s low cross after Warwick’s pass. Gordon confirmed the win in the 84th, curling into the top right corner after Yamada’s layoff from Burrows’ pass following Adamczyk’s tackle in the box.

On 22nd April, we drew 0-0 with Consett at Belle Vue Stadium on the final day, securing our play-off spot. Consett dominated, but Daly, Prendergast, and Jenssen were immense, keeping a vital clean sheet. Marske United’s 2-0 loss to Shildon and Bishop Auckland’s 4-1 win over Stocksbridge left us tied with Auckland on 68 points, but our 25 goal difference trumped their 10.

On 25th April, we beat Shildon 4-2 in the Play-Off Semi-Final at Dean Street. Despite Belinga missing a penalty in the 11th, Tioffo scored in the 18th, finding the bottom left from Easton’s pass. Németh made it 2-0 in the 23rd, firing through Webb’s legs from Gordon’s ball, and added another in the 33rd, slotting into the far left from Byrne’s long ball. Isaac Harrington’s corner set up Jacub Putman’s near-left strike in the 49th, but Gordon’s top-right rocket from Németh’s cutback in the 62nd made it 4-1. Alex Brierley’s header from Putman’s cross in the 87th was a consolation.

Our season ended on 29th April with a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Whickham in the Play-Off Final at Glebe Sports Ground. Stephen Flint headed in Theo Durrant’s corner in the 5th minute. Tioffo equalised in the 13th, finishing Burrows’ low cross. Theo Carroll scored twice—lashing in off the far right post in the 32nd from Durrant’s pass and finding the bottom right from Harrison Clark’s long free-kick in the 34th. Tioffo’s close-range goal in the 89th from Yamada’s nod-down of Burrows’ cross sparked hope, but Whickham held on.

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The final league table saw Consett win the title with 78 points, followed by Shildon, Wakefield, and Whickham who were promoted via the Play-Offs. We finished 5th with 68 points, tied with Bishop Auckland but ahead on goal difference.

Marske United missed out in 7th with 67 points, followed by Barton Town, Billingham Town and Washington, West Auckland Town, Cleethorpes Town, Redcar Athletic, Emley, Billingham Synthonia and Whitby Town.

Hessle Sporting Club, Newcastle Blue Star, Stocksbridge Park Steels and Gainsborough Trinity were relegated.

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After a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Whickham in the Play-Off Final, we’ve overhauled the squad and are ready to go one better. The bookies have us as joint-second favourites at 9/2 alongside Bishop Auckland and promoted Polonia Yorkshire, with Emley the frontrunners at 4/9 thanks to their tycoon’s cash. But with new faces and a solid core, I’m confident we can challenge for the title and secure promotion to the NPL Premier Division.

Emley AFC, under new manager Dermot Morrissey, are the clear favourites at 4/9 after another injection of funds from South Korean tycoon Dong-Soo Lee. Their wage bill and transfer fees dwarf the league and after sacking Ben Barclay mid-season, they climbed from rock bottom to 14th with 44 points.

Bishop Auckland (9/2), led by Alan Warne, are joint-second favourites after finishing 6th on 68 points, narrowly missing the play-offs due to our superior goal difference. Polonia Yorkshire, fresh from winning the NCEL Premier Division, match our 9/2 odds, their attacking style making them a dark horse.

Washington, at 13/2 under Sam Wort, aim to improve on their 8th-place finish. Shildon, West Auckland Town and Marske United are joint 9/1, with Shildon and Marske carrying momentum from last season. Relegated Morpeth Town (10/1), Cleethorpes Town (11/1), Wakefield AFC and Barton Town (13/1) and Redcar Athletic (14/1) form a competitive mid-tier.

Newly promoted Crook Town (25/1), Whitby Town and Billingham Town (33/1), Billingham Synthonia and relegated Worksop Town (50/1), Dunston (150/1), and relegated Hebburn Town (300/1) complete the field.

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This summer was a rebuild. We lost key players, with Richie Barron and Dean McCartney leaving on free transfers - McCartney joining Newcastle Blue Star in the division below. Harrison Beeden, Cian Byrne, Hayden Lindley and Romuald Ouattara were released, as were academy graduates Aled Griffiths and Joe Prendergast, the latter departing after 160 league appearances, 10 goals, and 9 assists at centre-back. Oliver Walters, with 126 appearances, 36 goals, and 28 assists across two spells since 2024, was also let go. Jack Smith’s nine-year tenure ended after 191 league appearances, 86 goals, and 80 assists, while Jakub Adamczyk joined Korona Kielce. These departures hurt, but we’ve brought in quality to push for promotion.

In goal, we’ve signed Omar Daley on a free transfer from Aberystwyth Town in the Cymru Premier, where he made 119 appearances. His experience and agility make him our new No. 1, and I’m excited to see him command the box. Craig Daly, with 128 appearances for us since 2030, stays on a non-contract deal as a reliable back-up, his heroics in last season’s 0-0 draw against Consett still fresh in memory.

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At right-back, Beineon Creamer joins from Barrow, bringing pace and attacking flair, while Dean Culbert enters his 8th season with us, his 191 appearances providing leadership. Billy Warwick, who made 31 league appearances last season, remains our starting left-back, with Latvian Artūrs Lemkins, signed from Keighley United, adding competition. At centre-back, Espen Jenssen is our anchor, joined by Jonathyn Lovegreen from Sunderland, Mark Grech from Hebburn Town, and Rubin Balsom from The New Saints. This new backline must gel quickly to match last season’s defensive solidity.

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Right midfield sees Wayne Easton, who scored 21 goals and provided 18 assists in 44 games last season, as our star man. Joe Starbuck, 31, joins from Redcar Athletic with experience at Curzon Ashton, Barrow, Morecambe, and Scunthorpe United, offering versatility. On the left, Conner Burrows battles 26-year-old Jacob Lloyd, signed from Llandudno in the Cymru North, for the starting spot. In central midfield, Ren Yamada, Matt Gordon, and Dieudonné Belinga provide continuity, with 18-year-old Iain Shaw, a title-winner with Consett on loan from Carlisle United, adding youthful energy.

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Up top, Ryan Tioffo and Zoltán Németh remain our lethal duo, their 33 goals last season driving our play-off push. Ryan Hassan stays as a dynamic option, while Pharrel Waite, a 28-year-old striker from Hebburn Town with 10 goals in 37 games last season, adds depth and physicality.

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