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Brill United FC
Brill Sports & Social Club
Church Street
Brill
Aylesbury
Bucks
HP18 9RT
Ground Number: 1310
Saturday 18th May 2024
Brill United 4-5 Halse United
Oxfordshire Senior Premier
BRILL UNITED FC - A BRIEF HISTORY
The club was established in 1985, joining the Chiltonian League in its new Division 2. A 3rd place finish in 1987 was good enough for promotion to the newly-named Premier Division. They were relegated back in their first season but by 1991 they had finished as runners-up behind Letcombe to win promotion back up. A 7th-place finish in 1994 was a highlight but the following year they left the league and would re-emerge for a couple of seasons in the Oxfordshire Senior League Division 1 between 2003 & 2005. Whether it is the same club or not, the story continues with Ashton Folly FC. There's a little about their history online but they have played in local football for most of their history. They won the Banbury District & Lord Jersey Division 1 in 2020 or were at least leading when the season was stopped. They joined the Oxfordshire Senior League Division 1 for the following season, which was also cut short. They made for lost time by winning the title in 2021. Last season a 7th place finish was a decent start in the Premier Division. Over the summer, they changed their name to Brill United, moving from Hethe Village Hall near Bicester to Brill.
MY VISIT
I was really struggling for inspiration on this Saturday. With the end of the season fast approaching and indeed over for most teams, it was slim pickings. My first thought was Bush Hill Rangers v Baldock Town Reserves in the Herts Senior County Premier. Funnily enough, they were the two that I needed to complete the league. There was a decent-looking pub nearby, plus it was a reasonable fare on the train. However, bit by bit, it fell apart. Firstly, the Woodbine in Waltham Abbey were too lazy to read their emails so I couldn't find out if they still had the huge cider selection that I'd heard about. Most importantly though, the game was moved from Cheshunt's 3G pitch to an adjacent grass pitch. Seeing as I could easily do that 3G in pre-season or in cold, wet weather, I decided to save it until then. Games in Wales, Leeds and Sheffield were considered on the National Express, but nothing was inspiring me aside from Dodworth MW which had no backups should a team pull out. There was a standout option at Middlewich Town in the Cheshire League. It was a great-looking ground and it was a good train journey, though the £70 fare put me off.
In the end, uninspired, I decided to drive. Brill United was one that I'd been intending to save Brill for midweek and go to it with my usual hopping pals. However, I was out of ideas and it saved a load of miles going on my own. I would also get my walk to town and back and if I was willing to take a detour, go to a shop that I wanted to visit in Aylesbury. Just to throw confusion into the mix, the Bush Hill Rangers Twitter stated that it was on the 3G pitch after all. Their helpful secretary had said it was on the grass pitch, the Baldock Town Twitter had said it was in the stadium and now I had a third opinion. I decided to stick to my guns and go to Brill with me having made arrangements to be in for dinner. Elsewhere, I'd successfully switched mobile networks, saving myself £25 a month in the process. I was hoping to get better coverage in some parts of Wycombe with Spusu than I did with ID Mobile. Friday came and it was a busy day at work. I considered going to a game but not much appealed. There was a possibility of a game at Club Des Sports between National Harrow and Chessington & Hook but with the venue uninspiring and the teams not tweeting, a night in with a few cans it was.
Despite being a game in the Oxfordshire Senior League it was Bucks side Brill United v Northamptonshire's Halse United. The visitors were based 28 miles north in the village of Halse, near Brackley. The hosts were in 8th and had forfeited two midweek games recently. They'd also lost in a cup final to champions Carterton recently. On the field, their form was mixed but a fortnight ago they had won 2-1 at Yarnton. Halse United were 5th, the reverse fixture had not been played and Halse were awarded the win. It was part of four unbeaten games, the last of which was a 2-1 win at Adderbury Park, ten days previous. It was very much a bright start by Brill. The visitors #2 forced his goalkeeper to tip a shot from his own defender over. From the resulting corner, the ball was not cleared and a player poked home from inside the six-yard box. On 5 minutes, it was 2-0 before Halse had even had a shot a low finish into the bottom left from ten yards. The visitors eventually had a chance on 11 minutes but the ball was headed clear. After 14, minutes, Halse United pulled a goal back with a low free kick by Durnin, just as if it looked like Brill was running away with it. On 20 minutes, it was all square. Read chested the ball and dinked a lovely volley over the keeper. The visitors were now well on top and they took the lead on 27 minutes. Ollie Reed scored his 43rd goal and 31st league goal of the season with a fantastic volley into the top right-hand corner from 30 yards. After half an hour, it was back level. The Brill #9 got in behind down the right and fired the ball across the box before it was met at the edge of the box resulting in the ball being thumped into the bottom right. On 34 minutes, a great Brill kick skimmed the bar as they came close to retaking the lead. Now they were on top and they took the lead on 39 minutes, a lob over the keeper. A minute later Halse forced a good save out of the keeper in what was becoming an eventful game. Half time was bang on time and it was an eight-minute break. The visitors were back on top now and a shot was skewed wide on 49 minutes. They came close again ten minutes later. Brady headed in off the post on 64 minutes to make it 4-4. On 78 minutes, Halse got what turned out to be the winner, a goalmouth scramble was cleared and Marsh volleyed home a low shot from the edge of the area.
A decent free kick from Halse United but Brill still lead 2-1. Lively start in pleasant surroundings. pic.twitter.com/484ebkQvTJ
— ⚽Russell Cox💙 (@RussWWFC) May 18, 2024
It had been an incredible game that never stopped and had to be up there for the best game I have seen this season. The referee helped as he let the game flow and both club linemen were happy to give decisions against their own team which has not always been the case. The players were generally well-behaved though a Halse player was booked for retaliation. I learned that he would have to pay £12 for this offence. , though The surface was also good for this time of the season. The opposition's name was pronounced 'Hulse and their people were very friendly. I also met Darren from Buckingham, AKA Dash71 on YouTube. He was great to chat to and I've also enjoyed some of his YouTube videos. The game finished just before 4 and I went to visit the Brill windmill as recommended by Darren. It was worth it and part of a very pleasant village. On the way home, I'd opted to stop at Farmfoods in Aylesbury. I picked up some great bargains but it was full of revolting noisy families, a sneak preview of tomorrow at work. I was in at 5.40 and had dinner before sorting out my blog. The evening would be spent having a few drinks and winding down before work tomorrow.
THE GROUND
BRILL SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB is a smart but basic venue. The football pitch is at the far end of the complex and has an enclosure of sorts. There is no rail, hard standing or seating aside from some benches facing the wrong way. The smart bar has sports TV and a good range of drinks. The car park is small but there's plenty of street parking. Within walking distance are pubs and convenience stores.
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