Wasteful finishing is a blessing for Brakes

Brakes came through a typically hard-fought encounter with last season’s Southern League Premier Division champions unscathed, but would have ended up on the end of a harsh-looking scoreline had Brackley found their range in front of goal, writes Paul Edwards.

With several players unavailable, along with boss Paul Holleran, Lee Williams borrowed goalkeeper Chris Jay from Stratford Town for the day and the keeper made some good stops when called upon.

The first notable action saw a splendid ball played across the pitch by the outside of Tom Berwick’s boot to Stephan Morley, who advanced and played the ball in to Lewis Powell on the edge of the Brackley penalty area. Powell laid it off for Berwick to strike just over the bar.

A Brackley free-kick from the left wing then drifted through a crowded penalty area and past Jay, who appeared to think it was out of his reach before the ball bounced up off the upright and into his hands.

Berwick was working extremely hard up front and showed great close control under pressure to get a low shot away that was saved by Chris Zyricki.

Glenn Walker was the stand-out performer for the visitors and fine work from him on the right supplied a cross which Elliot Sandy headed straight at Jay.

Sam Adkins also caught the eye for Leamington and he worked hard to create an opening for himself, but his shot lacked power and was gathered comfortably by Zyricki.

Wholesale changes affected the flow of the game, but Brackley were the quicker to adapt, creating a string of decent chances.

The first fell to substitute Will Green, who had time and space to watch a cross come down, only to screw his shot horribly wide.

Walker saw a low shot saved by Jay before direct running from Tom Winters created an opportunity for Owen Story, but with a clear sight of goal he hit his first-time effort wide.

Green then scooped a shot across goal with his team-mates screaming for a penalty.

Brakes were again exposed at the back, but Marvin Robinson shot straight at Jay, who was in action again moments later when he beat away an effort from Green.

Winters was then left staring in disbelief as the keeper pushed his powerful close-range strike behind for a corner.

But for all Brackley’s dominance, the home side could have snatched a victory, with Adkins’ 30-yard drive just shaving the bar in the closing stages.

Leamington: Chris Jay, Michael Tuohy, Stephan Morley, Joe Magunda, Liam Daly (15 James Mace, 46), Jamie Hood (Alex Taylor, 82), Matt Dodd, Craig Owen, Lewis Powell (Dean Perrow, 46), Tom Berwick (Jimmy Deabill, 67), Sam Adkins. Sub not used: Lee Williams.

Brackley Town: Chris Zyricki (Billy Turley, 46), Eddie Omoabei (James Clifton, 62), Curtis McDonald (Ellis Myles, 70), Barry Quinn, Jamie Grimes, Josh Green (Tom Winters, 46), Owen Story, Gary Mulligan (Wayne Hatswell, 46), Steve Diggin (Will Green, 46), Elliot Sandy (Marvin Robinson, 46), Glenn Walker.