Brandon United stat attack

NORTHALLERTON TOWN face Brandon United at the Calvert Stadium this weekend and here we bring you all the essential stats.

Last season;

Brandon United finished 18th in Division Two with 10 wins, 11 draws and 21 defeats. They scored 55 goals and conceded 93. They also had 3 points deducted so finished on 38 points from their 42 games.

Town finished 6th with 23 wins, 8 draws and 11 defeats, scoring 101 goals and conceding 63.

Both league between the sides last season ended in home victories. Northallerton won the game at the Calvert Stadium in September 4-2 thanks to goals from Marcus Laing, a Carl Chillingsworth brace and a strike from Adam Emson. Ryan Readman and Stephen Moody replied for Brandon.

The match at Welfare Ground in January finished in a 2-1 victory for the hosts during a poor run for Town. Chillingsworth was again on target, giving Town a 47th minute lead, but Brandon hit back with strikes from Glen Hendrix and Andrew Blackburn to grab the points.

Previous meetings;

Northallerton Town have met Brandon United 26 times in the league with Town winning 13, Brandon 8 and 5 draws.

Brandon's win last January was the first time they had beaten Town in the league since the 1999-2000 season when they did the double, winning both games 1-0.

Probably the most memorable meeting between the sides was on the opening day of the 2011-12 season when the match ended in a 5-5 draw!

Town's biggest win over Brandon is 6-1 in the 1991-92 season, while Brandon's biggest victory in this fixture is 2-0 in 1993-94.

Current form;

Brandon arrive at the Calvert Stadium in 15th place but have won their last 2 away games. They beat Whitehaven 2-1 in the league on September 21 before winning by the same score at Norton & Stockton in the League Cup three days later. They also won away from home at Tow Law Town in August and Esh Winning in September. Brandon's home form is not so good with only one win so far, 7-0 against Washington. Brandon were beaten 5-1 at home by Whitehaven last Saturday.

Town are not enjoying the best of form at the moment with only one in 6 games and none from the last 4 at home. In fact you have to go back to August 24 for the last time Town won at home, 6-0 against Esh Winning. Last weekend, Town lost 4-2 against Chester-Le-Street, and in fact since beating the same opponents in October of last year, Town have won just 4 times at home on a Saturday.

Players to watch;

Brandon's goals have been spread around this season with Matthew Harrison and Steve Wilson both on 6, Andrew Blackburn on 5 and Mark Brischuk on 3.

Having lost leading scorer Jamie Clarke to Seaham Red Star, Town's main threat up front now looks to be Col Anderson with 6 goals so far, while Danny McLachlan has 4. York loanee Chris Dickinson got off the mark last Saturday so more goals are expected from him, while Darren Kokes is back from suspension.

Summary;

Town's home form has been a cause for concern in recent weeks but there is no doubt they have the quality to get back to winning ways. However, this game has now taken on massive importance as the pressure starts to build.

Brandon have been perennial strugglers in recent years but have shown positive signs away from home over the last few weeks.

Prediction;

Nothing less than a victory will be good enough for Town so it is going to be how well they respond to the pressure. Brandon can play with freedom and will be looking to exploit the lack of confidence in the home ranks.

This is a game where the first goal is going to be so important. If Town get it and go in front I can see them winning comfortably but if they go behind, as they have done in each of the last 3 home matches, it could be another long afternoon for the home faithful.

However, with a point to prove, I think Town will get back on track with a good performance and a 4-1 victory, but then I am biased...