News in Shotley Peninsula

It is not just bragging rights at stake tonight as Brantham Athletic take on near neighbours Hadleigh United in Thurlow Nunn Premier Division at Millfield.

Survival is the aim as Blue Imps sit precariously third from bottom of the division, one place above the drop zone.

Two women from the Shotley peninsula have been selected to play for Great Britain's basket squad in the World Championships in Spain this summer.

Laura Shemming from Shotley and Catherine Mclean from Holbrook are part of the GB's Over 50s and 40s (respectively) sides aiming for European Maxibasket medal glory in the 11th FIMBA European Maxibasketball Championships, in Malaga from 24 June to 3 July.

Holbrook's sensational hockey siblings Harry and Hannah Martin have been included in Great Britain training squads for 2022.

While the pair both now play in the Netherlands, with Harry starring for Rotterdam HC and Hannah, THC Hurley, they remain closely connected to Holbrook with their parents still living in the village.

It was perhaps fitting that it was Hayden Catchpole who scored Woolverstone United's 100th club goal of the season to help secure a 2-0 win over Melton United at the Hazelwood Stadium.

Catchpole's clever free kick, low and around the wall, not only edged Woolverstone a step close to the Macron SIL Division Two title, but won him a case of beer.

Pip Boyland has vowed to 'build Brantham back better' and after picking up his first point as the Blue Imps boss is confident they can move away from the relegation one.

A wonder goal from new loan signing Tommy Northwood gave Brantham the lead in a tight game, but Woodbridge skipper Sean Rea equalised moments later to take a deserved point.

Michael Brothers has been snapped up by Essex Senior League club Little Oakley, days after leaving his managerial role at Brantham Athletic.

Brothers was at the Acorns to see his new club go down 4-3 to rivals Clacton on Saturday but did not take part after the signing was swiftly completed.

New Brantham manager Pip Boyland has been told he must get the Blue Imps playing 'an attractive winning' style of football as they look to avoid relegation.

Boyland was appointed last night as replacement for Brantham's first team manager following Michael Brothers' departure last week.

Former Brantham Athletic youngster Harry Clarke has joined Scottish giants Hibernian from Arsenal after a loan sell at Ross County.

Clarke has signed an 18-month deal and admits to be excited at becoming a Hibee as the Scottish Premier League splits into two and he will be playing the likes of Rangers and Celtic, rather than fighting a relegation battle.

Brantham boss Michael Brothers is looking to park last year and approach the second half of the season with positivity.

Boosted by a couple of new players, back to back points gaining games, and renewed determination Brothers has set his sights on not just pushing away from the relegation zone but finishing the second half of the campaign with a flourish.

Michael Brothers has left Brantham Athletic after four years as boss at the club.

Brothers took over as the Blue Imps' player-manager in December 2017 after joining from Needham Market.