Brakes emerged victorious from his hard-fought game to set a new Polymac Services points record of 102, beating the mark achieved by Stourbridge in 2002/03.

 

The visiting fans who swelled the crowd to a season's best of 242 at Hillsfield saw an explosive start with Brakes taking the lead in the 2nd minute. An inswinging corner from the left by Jamie Towers cleared everyone crowded into the goalmouth and appeared to be going out of play. However, Nick Ward stuck out a hand and conceded a penalty which Towers put perfectly into the bottom left-hand corner.

 

Brakes nearly doubled the lead five minutes later when Josh Blake rounded two defenders only to see his shot well saved by young 'keeper Adam Alcock, who coped well under pressure throughout the afternoon. Rocester had a chance to equalise almost immediately, but Neil Bennett headed wide fom captain Carl Allen's free-kick.

 

Towers was then fouled and took the free-kick himself, but the ball was cleared for a corner which came to nothing. Jon Adams had a long-range shot saved low down by Alcock and, on the stroke of half-time, Ben Mackey shot into the defensive wall after Brakes were awarded a free-kick in the penalty area when Alcock handled a back-pass.

 

With the wind getting stronger, play got more scrappy in the second half and neither side produced much in the way of flowing football. Brakes did try to pass the ball, whereas Rocester were content to hit long balls and try to run at the visitors' defence. The outstanding Andy Gregory, together with Adam Cooper and Martin Hier coped with just about everything that came their way and, when they were beaten, Jason Pearcey was equal to the task.

 

Towers put Mackey in with a good chance on 56 minutes, but the Brakes striker slipped in the penalty area at a crucial time. Then Towers ran into the area himself and set up Josh Blake who missed from close in. At the other end, substitute Lee Bagley shot straight at Pearcey when well-placed. Brakes final effort came In stoppage time, substitute Avun Jephcott's pass finding Jon Adams who shot over the bar.

 

Adam Cooper, Morton Titterton and Jon Adams were all booked but, unlike the match at Market Drayton on Tuesday, this was a disciplined performance and the reception that the referee received from the Brakes supporters coming off the field says more than I am allowed to put into words here. The returning Stuart Herlihy added strength in midfield and, in the absence of James Husband, former youth team player Tom James got his long-awaited chance to start on the left side.

 

After defeats at Oadby and Market Drayton Town, this was a welcome away victory for Brakes who now have a final league match at the New Windmill against Quorn to round off the season. Reflecting on the match, manager Jason Cadden said "I am well pleased to get the record number of points as it means that we win the league in style just as we did in the Midland Combination. We had to dig in today after getting the early goal and grind out a result under pressure. There were no injuries today and, hopefully, Adam Knight will have recovered from his hamstring injury and be available for selection on Tuesday. We are optimistic that James Husband will resume training on Thursday."

Jason Pearcey; Jamie Towers; Martin Hier; Adam Cooper; Andy Gregory; Morton Titterton [Capt.]; Stuart Herlihy; Jon Adams; Ben Mackey (Martin Thompson 65); Josh Blake (Dave Pearson 74); Tom James (Avun Jephcott 68)

 

Subs Not Used Craig Dutton; Richard Morris

Rocester :

 

Subs Not Used Andrew Smith; Steve McCormick; Karl Parker

Man of the MatchAndy Gregory