Brakes taste defeat for second time in a week

These two sides met in the Midland Alliance League Cup just eight days ago and, whereas Biddulph fielded an unchanged side, Brakes made no less than seven changes, including debutant Avun Jephcott.

Injuries to Andy Gregory and Adam Cooper picked up in the midweek defeat at Stratford Town, coupled with the unavailability of Jamie Towers and Martin Thompson forced manager Jason Cadden's hand and the introduction of the much-travelled Jephcott meant that 24 players have now been used in the 35 league and cup matches so far.

Jephcott was to make an immediate impact as, with the match less than half a minute old, Vic's captain Scott Burge made a poor backpass and the new arrival slid the ball under the body of 'keeper Danny Read to make it 1-0. The clock stopped at 29 seconds, Brakes second fastest goal of the season.

However, it didn't stay that way for long as, on three minutes, the referee saw a hand go up in the Brakes defence and push the ball away and had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Up stepped James Morrow to blast the ball past Jason Pearcey to bring the score to 1-1.

Brakes had chances to retake the lead, but paid the price for giving away a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area in the 23rd minute which found the head of Steve Jardine and his flick-on was gathered by Aaron Kelter who gave Pearcey no chance.

The returning Adam Knight came to Brakes rescue, blocking a shot from Edward Hope that could have made it three for the home side. At the other end, Burge handled the ball on the edge of the penalty area in the 31st, but Adrian Fuller sent the free-kick high over the bar.

Brakes played down the slope in the second period, but could have found themselves even further behind in the 51st, being rescued by Pearcey's good save from Jon Dawson. This seemed to spur the league leaders on and, almost immediately, Jon Adams cut in from the right and sent a shot flashing across the face of the goal. Then Josh Blake combined well with Jephcott down the left, but put his shot over the bar.

On 70 minutes, another Biddulph backpass was handled by Read in the penalty area and, with ten players guarding the goal, Jephcott's shot from Tom Bates' indirect free-kick was blocked. Just a minute later, Ben Mackey struck a thunderous shot against the underside of crossbar and, in the ensuing melee, several Brakes players attempted shots on goal, but to no avail.

The introduction of Dave Pearson in the 78th minute gave added impetus and more width to the attack and, with Adams making progress down the right, there was still time to snatch at least a point. However, with Brakes stretched in search of an equaliser, Marrow and Kelter went close for Vics and, in the dying seconds of normal time, Martin Heath blasted over the top.

This defeat completed a miserable week, but the news that title challengers Romulus and Tipton Town had both drawn, put the result into some perspective. Midweek conquerors, Stratford Town, lost at home to Causeway United, so the gap has only narrowed slightly and there is still everything to play for.

Vic's manager, Stuart Heeps, was delighted with his side's performance, saying "We thought that if we dug in and battled, we could sneak a draw. We certainly hadn't counted on gaining all three points, so this is a real bonus. We have picked up since the turn of the year and, given our position, this win was more important for us than for Leamington."

Jason Cadden described this as "another disappointing result." He added "there was no lack of effort in the second half when we pinned them back for long periods. Had Ben's shot gone in, it would have turned the game, but all credit to Biddulph who really wanted to win. We have to put this week behind us and concentrate on the FA Vase next Saturday."

Biddulph Victoria Danny Read; Scott Burge [Capt.]; Tim Alcock; Chris Morris; Steve Jardine; Lyndon Hall; Matthew Platt; Aaron Kelter (Martin Heath 78); James Morrow; Jon Dawson (Shaun Mould 74); Edward Hope
Subs Not Used: Ashley Lawton; John Paul Jones; Stuart Heeps

Leamington Jason Pearcey; Jon Adams; Adrian Fuller; Adam Knight (Scott Darroch 89); Tom Cudworth; Craig Dutton [Capt.]; Morton Titterton; Stuart Herlihy (Tom Bates 66); Ben Mackey; Avun Jephcott (Dave Pearson 78); Josh Blake
Subs Not Used: Tom James; James Husband

Attendance 175

Author's Man of the Match Adam Knight

Photographs from the match here»