Professional performance from Brakes

BRAKES3

Brakes avoided a potential banana skin by comfortably dispatching Central Division side Woodford United and securing their passage to the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy, writes Paul Edwards.

Byfield Road has never been a particularly easy place to go to, but first-half goals from James Husband and Craig Wilding and a late clincher from Liam Daly ensured the travelling supporters left with smiles on their faces once more.

Paul Holleran reverted to his first-choice XI with Wilding starting alongside Matt Lewis in the absence of the suspended Luke Corbett. James Rowe missed out due to injury.

The opening stages were dictated by Leamington, who looked far brighter than they had done in the previous Tuesday’s Birmingham Senior Cup defeat at Stratford, despite failing to seiously test Woodford keeper Jack Goode.

Brakes’ first clearcut chance came after Ross Harris inadvertedly diverted the ball into the path of Matt Lewis, who with defenders snapping at his heels, shot straight at the keeper.

With 24 minutes played, Dan Burke was booked for a cynical lunge on Marcus Jackson as the Leamington midfielder skipped past him. The free-kick was only half-cleared and, after Jamie Hood and Wilding had helped the ball back into the danger area, Husband found time to volley past Goode for the opener.

Chances were at a premium and it needed another set piece five minutes before half-time to double the visitors’ advantage, Wilding neatly flicking a header into the corner of net from a left-sided free-kick.

The home side were fortunate to go in with a full compliment at the interval, Burke escaping further censure for another poor challenge, this time on Richard Batchelor. It therefore came as no surprise when he Burke failed to reappear for the second half.

Early Leamington pressure after the restart saw Goode save a Lewis effort and Batchelor inches away from converting a Lee Downes cross.

A sloppy spell from Brakes then saw Woodford create chances, with Troy Fardon’s close-range shot blocked and Neil King’s header bringing out a decent save from Breeden.

The home side’s pressure paid off on the hour-mark when, after initial shots had struck the post and bar, Ricky Johnson scrambled home a third effort to bring his side back into the contest.

The goal unsettled Brakes but they were soon back on the front foot, and with eight minutes remaining, Daly restored the two-goal cushion when he powered home a header from a corner.

There was concern as the game drew to a close when Batchelor had to be carried off the pitch after another crunching challenge, but the injury was not as bad as first feared.

Wilding volleyed over the bar and substitute Chris Murphy had a shot saved by Goode, but Brakes had already done enough.

Woodford United: Jack Goode, Karl Fellows, Guy Clarke, Ross Harris, Chris Jackson, Jerry Moss, Dan Burke (Chris Davies, 46), Troy Fardon (Liam Ruddick, 57), Ricky Johnson, Neil King, Craig Pearson. Subs not used: Terry Fitton, Daniel Szczukiewicz, Edward Kostiuk.

Brakes: Tony Breeden, Scott Lycett, Alex Cowley, Lee Downes Jamie Hood, Liam Daly, Marcus Jackson, James Husband, (Stephan Morley, 84), Matt Lewis (Chris Murphy, 87), Craig Wilding, Richard Batchelor (Peter Faulds, 86). Subs not used: Arthur Byrne, Guy Sanders.