News in Shotley Peninsula

With seven more games this month alone, Brantham Athletic have no time to dwell on the disappointment at crashing out out of the FA Cup.

Manager Michael Brothers blamed a lack of belief as the Imps went down 3-0 in front of a sell out 300 home crowd against south Essex side Aveley FC.

Red hot striker Matt Hayden has opened up about the stigma of mental health, being a firefighter, and loving life at Brantham Athletic, ahead of their potential history-making FA Cup tie against Aveley FC.

Former Histon hitman Hayden hit the winner against St Ives to set up the Imps' all-ticket second qualifying round clash with the Essex side at Brantham Leisure Centre tomorrow, just days after signing for Michael Brother's side.

Matty Hayden Brantham fired into the second round qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup, just hours after Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær sent the Imps a good luck message.

Thurlow Nunn side Imps pulled off something of a shock when they beat St Ives, who play in the Southern League Premier division, a level above Athletic in the football pyramid, in front of around 300 fans at the Brantham Leisure centre.

As part of the Shotley peninsula's UP CLOSE WITH series we talk with Pin Mill Pirates manager Ollie Holmes

When Ollie Holmes took over as first team coach for Pin Mill Pirates it is fair to say they were more than just floundering in their first season, but looked set to sink without trace after failing to taste victory before a change of manager.

An inspired tactical change at half time helped secure victory for Brantham and maintain their unbeaten run in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division.

Manager Michael Brothers threw on Tom Lawson to help break down a stubborn Gorelston side and the switch worked a dream as the youngster scored his first senior goal, which turned out to be the winning goal.

Plucky Brantham Athletic have been rewarded with a home draw in the Emirates FA Cup first round qualifying against Southern league side St Ives Town.

The Imps pulled off an excellent 1-0 win at Great Wakering Rovers on Saturday to win through and be one of the 234 clubs taking part in this stage of the world's most famous cup competitions.

Shotley Peninsula Nub News aims to support our community promoting shops, businesses, charities, clubs and sports groups. We will be profiling some of these in our Up Close feature and today we caught up with Darren Smith, CEO of Brantham Athletic, who outlines the club's ambitions and philosophy, hails the volunteers, family ethos, and those who helped it get through the crisis, but he doesn't hold back on 'out of touch' FA bosses.

The passion, positivity and pure love of Brantham Athletic and all that the club stands for, pours from Darren Smith who epitomises the spirit of a small village club punching way above its weight.

Did you know?

The amazing frontman for the British rock band Queen, and one of their principal songwriters for such hits as "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We are the Champions" was born of Parsi descent, in Zanzibar. Mercury was famously flamboyant on stage and known for his vocal range. He sadly died aged 45 on November 24, 1991 with complications from AIDS.

It was a night of firsts as Brantham witnessed a night of drama in the Imps' FA Cup tie with Benfleet, who were playing in the competition for the first time in their 99-year history.

Michael Brothers' side edged the Essex club to give him his first win in in the world's greatest cup competition as a manager in his own right, after 17-year-old substitute Tom Watkins scored with his first touch in his first ever FA Cup match.

The long and winding road to Wembley starts for Brantham Athletic tonight the they entertain south Essex side Benfleet FC in the Emirates FA Cup extra preliminary qualifying round.

While Brantham are relatively old hands in the world's most famous cup competition Benfleet, who are in a division lower than the Imps in the Thurlow Nunn League, will be playing their first ever FA Cup tie in their 99-year history.