Sat, 12 Apr 2008 @ Byfield Road. vs Woodford United (3-1). British Gas Business Football League Midlands Division. By D Hucker. In front of the biggest crowd of the season at Byfield Road, Brakes made heavy weather of beating a young Woodford side, but ran out comfortable winners in the end.
Brakes could have taken the lead in only the third minute when Chris Jackson slipped and gave Ben Mackey a chance, but his shot came back off the post. A mix-up in the Brakes defence allowed Carl Standen a shot on goal, but Richard Morris easily gathered his intended lob.
Home 'keeper, David Thornton. denied Mackey a second scoring opportunity, getting down well to save his 15th minute free kick at the foot of the post.
Then, Thornton almost conceded a sloppy goal when taking too long to clear upfield, only succeeding in kicking the ball against the advancing Martin Thompson but, much to his relief, it went wide of the net.
This was the closest that Brakes came in the opening half, despite all their possession, and they were made to pay within two minutes of the re-start as Standen gave Woodford a shock lead, rolling the ball into the corner of the net unchallenged with the normally reliable defence playing statues.
This seemed to the spur that Brakes needed and they were back on level terms soon after thanks to a fine solo effort from Man-of-the-Match, Marcus Jackson, who cut in from the left and beat Thornton with a low shot. Then, Mackey was held when about to shoot and Brakes leading scorer took the resultant penalty to beat Thornton and put them ahead for the first time.
The points were wrapped up by former Aston Villa youngster, Shay Morgan, who had come on as substitute for Thompson and opened his account for the club, heading home a Jamie Towers free-kick from the left after Ryan Parisi had been brought down.
Coach Morton Tiitterton said "It was a difficult pitch to play on and they showed little ambition to win the game. In the first half, we weren't smart enough to find a way through their packed defence, but the goal woke us up and we went on to win well enough."
Woodford travel to leaders Evesham United on Saturday and Brakes take on Aylesbury United at the New Windmill. Whilst the gap at the top is now down to four points, there are only two matches left and a win for Evesham, which seems likely on this evidence, will clinch the championship.
Woodford United David Thornton, Craig Hyde, Anthony Powell, Ross Harris {Capt,}, Gerry Moss, Chris Jackson, Stuart Haynes, Luke Cole (Mickell Wood 81), Chris Davies, Carl Standen, Tom Lorraine
Subs Not Used: Lee Worrell, Ross Atkins, Kai Ridley, Lynton Dindale
Brakes Richard Morris, Jamie Towers, Arron Parkinson [Capt.], Guy Sanders, Martin Hier, Marcus Jackson, Scott Hadland, Ben Mackey, Jusitn Marsden (Glen Webb 87), Martin Thompson (Shay Morgan 65)
Subs Not Used: Adam Cooper, Craig Dutton, Liam Reynolds