Bradenham Wanderers draw to secure Division One title
- Credit: Archant
Bradenham Wanderers ensured they would be going up to the top flight of the Anglian Combination as champions on Tuesday evening.
Wanderers travelled to Hindringham for their final match of a triumphant campaign with promotion already guaranteed and knowing they needed to avoid defeat to finish above morning leaders Beccles Town.
And they got the result they needed, coming from two down to secure a 2-2 draw to finish level on points with their rivals but top thanks to a narrow advantage on goal difference.
Tuesday evening's game started at a fast pace and Hindringham opened the scoring with Bradenham conceding an own goal.
Bradenham seemed down on their luck and a good move on the right hand side saw Hindringham quickly move 2-0 ahead.
A second own goal of the match, this time from Hindringham, brought the score back to 2-1 and again Bradenham wasted chances to level the match and as half-time arrived with no further goals.
The second half saw manager Kevin Stagles make changes and introduce Hunt and Barrett into the team.
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A much improved Bradenham performance saw one of many chances go over the bar with a well worked free-kick from R Thurley.
Then a good move on the wing goal saw J Brien bring the scores level at 2-2 with 20 minutes to go. There was then a nervous finale, with both teams missing chances to secure the win, and Bradenham eventually saw out the game to win the league on goal difference.
Bradenham had clinched promotion to the Premier Division the previous Wednesday when they travelled to Mundford and came away with a 3-1 win that took them out of reach of third placed Hellesdon.
Scott Sutherland-Gray weighed in with a couple of goals while Thomas Spalding was also on target.
The win took them to the top of the table, two points clear of Beccles, but the Suffolk side won 2-1 at Scole in their final game on Saturday to go back to the summit and seal their own promotion. Everyone connected with the club played their part in what has been a memorable season, with a special vote of thanks going to the sponsors for their support.
