Brackley step in to provide Brakes with useful workout

Brakes held their own against Blue Square North leaders Brackley Town in a hastily arranged friendly match at the New Windmill on Tuesday evening, writes Paul Edwards.

The match was split into three 30-minute periods and Leamington moved in front early in the first, a shove on Ricky Johnson presenting Matt Dodd with the chance to open the scoring from the penalty spot.

Two minutes later Brackley were awarded a penalty of their own when Nialle Rodney was sent crashing to the turf. He stepped up to take the kick himself but Niall Cooper produced a superb first impression for his new club, diving low to his left to push the ball to safety.

Brakes moved further ahead in the 16th minute when a ball was played into the penalty area where it was missed by Johnson, bounced over the head of Eddie Odihambo and struck James Husband three yards out before rolling into the net.

Husband saw a shot blocked by Odihambo before he was forced off with a knock, to be replaced by Lee Chilton.

Cooper further impressed the watching 209 crowd when, with the imposing figure of Rodney bearing down on his goal, he calmly side footed a pass to Liam Daly on the edge of his penalty area.

Brackley reduced the deficit five minutes into the second period when a shot from Rodney hit Cooper in the chest and Owen Storey slotted home the loose ball.

The young debutant redeemed himself shortly after, however, spreading himself well to deny the big striker.

Brackley were level in the 40th minute when substitute Elliot Sandy emphatically swept home a cutback.

The visitors were suddenly looking a lot more dangerous, showing just why they have made such a flying start to life at Step 2.

There were half-chances for both sides in the remainder of the game, the best of which saw Tom Berwick, produce a superb turn and shot which was put behind for a corner.

Brakes: Niall Cooper, Martyn Naylor, Stephan Morley, Joe Magunda, Jamie Hood, Liam Daly, Matthew Dodd, James Husband, Ricky Johnson, Alex Taylor, Sam Adkins. Substitutes: (all used) Lee Chilton, James Mace, Tom Berwick, Lee Moore, Josh Tiff, Trialist.

Brackley Town: Krys Zylski, Eddie Odihambo, Eddie Nisevic, Michael Corchoran, Wayne Hatswell, Josh Green, Owen Storey, Brett Solkhon, Niall Rodney, Gary Mulligan, Tom Winters. Substitutes: Will Green, Steve Diggin, Marvin Robinson, Glenn Walker, Elliot Sandy.