Wed, 26 Dec 2007 @ The New Windmill Ground. vs Romulus (1-1). British Gas Business Football League Midland Division. By D Hucker. With Brakes looking to avenge the defeat by Romulus at Coles Lane three weeks ago, Stuart Helihy returned to the midfield following his one-match suspension to partner Liam Reynolds, with Marcus Jackson moving to the left wing.
Jackson made his presence felt in only the second minute, sending in a cross cum shot from well outside the penalty area which visiting 'keeper, Matt Harris palmed away for a corner. The industrious Russell Dunkley, who was closely marked by Michael Batchelor throughout the afternoon, set up Vijay Sidhu with a scoring chance in the 12th, but central defender Peter Folkes did just enough to put the Brakes striker off his stride and his shot went wide.
Dunkley then headed wide from another Jackson cross, before Harris comfortably held a Jamie Towers free-kick that cleared the defensive wall. Towers was the provider on 38 minutes, but Josh Blake's header went straight at Harris and, with half-time approaching, home 'keeper, Richard Morris got down to save at the foot of the post from Leon Mitchell.
Brakes took the lead on 50 minutes when Towers played a short corner to Jackson and the winger's cross was met at the far post by Guy Sanders, who crashed the ball into the roof of the net for his first goal for the club in only his second appearance.
Ben Mackey replaced the injured Jackson in the 55th and, almost immediately, set up Sidhu, but Harris got down well to deny Brakes another goal. Given their greater possession, Brakes should have wrapped up the points, but paid the price for not scoring a second in the 70th minute, as Alan Ward drove the ball through a crowded defence past Morris to level the match.
Manager, Jason Cadden, described the performance as "like a Christmas hangover." He added " We didn't play well and I thought that we would kick on after scoring. We need an improved performance all round at Bedworth if we are to hit our target of seven points from the holiday matches."
Certainly, this was a disappointing display and a missed opportunity for the club to show those amongst the crowd who came for the first time what the New Windmill has to offer. With Aylesbury being held to a draw by Leighton Town, this was also a chance to go back to the top of the table, but Brakes now slip to fourth in what is becoming a very close race.
The rain of the previous two days ruled out use of the training pitch for parking, but 105 fans took advantage of the free park-and-ride service to swell the crowd to 804. This was the largest in the Midlands Division this season and the second-best of the day behind the re-formed Farnborough.
Brakes Richard Morris [Capt.], Jamie Towers, Ryan Parisi, Adam Cooper, Guy Sanders, Stuart Herlihy, Liam Reynolds, Josh Blake, Vijay Sidhu (Dale Jones 80), Russell Dunkley, Marcus Jackson (Ben Mackey 55)
Subs Not Used: Craig Dutton, Arron Parkinson, Andy Harper
Romulus Matt Harris [Capt.], Nick Heath, Lee Hatfield, Stuart Hamilton, Peter Folkes (Colm Tiernan 51), Jason Lanns, Alan Ward, Richard Allen (Tom Wilmore 64), Tyrone Fagan, Leon Mitchell (Aaron Daniels 85), Michael Batchelor
Subs Not Used: Paul Hunter, Ashley Robinson- MotM Adam Cooper.