Mackey takes goal tally to seven as Brakes bounce back.
Sat, 22 Sep 2007 @ St. Georges Lane, Worcester. vs Evesham United (2-0). British Gas Business Football League Midland Division. By D Hucker. Manager, Jason Cadden, made three changes to the side that had been well beaten the previous week, bringing in James Husband on the left and pairing Russell Dunkley with Richard Adams up front. Leading scorer, Ben Mackey, dropped back just behind the front two and the plan worked to perfection with the former Sky Blue scoring in each half. Not only was the composition and style of the side different, but every player contributed to what was a solid team performance, showing the spirit and commitment that had been lacking only seven days earlier.
The fired-up Mackey had shown his goal instincts as early as the 6th minute, sending in a shot after Dunkley had done well to win the ball. He then charged down an attempted clearance to set up Adams, who couldn't take advantage. On 18 minutes, the hard-running Adams turned his marker and sent in a low shot which Nathan Vaughan got down well to save as Brakes started to increase the pressure on Evesham.
However, the home side were showing plenty of grit and determination of their own and it took a stunning shot from Mackey on 36 minutes to unlock their defence and the look of joy on the young striker's face showed how much the moment meant.
As Brakes pushed forward in search of a second, Liam Reynolds, who had his best match so far for the club, was fouled by Mark Hands, but Marcus Jackson's free-kick was easily taken by Vaughan. Substitute, Mark Owen tested Brakes 'keeper Richard Morris with a long-range shot in the 43rd minute, but they went into the interval with a lead that they deserved on the balance of play.
The visiting fans thought that Brakes had scored again within a minute of the re-start when Adams headed the ball into the path of Jackson, but the midfielder put his shot into the side netting. Then, when Evesham failed to clear a Jackson corner, Andy Gregory's goalbound shot cannoned off Husband.
Defender, Martin Hier, came out of a tackle with Owen with what appeared to be a serious injury but, thankfully, hospital treatment revealed a badly gashed ankle that will keep him out for weeks, rather than months as first feared. The lengthy stoppage was matched by one for Evesham after their 'keeper, Vaughan, was injured when slipping trying to clear outside of his penalty area and the home side finished with ten men.
However, by then, Mackey had wrapped up the points, after Dunkley and Adams combined well, with an unstoppable left-foot shot to take his league goal tally to seven.
Coach, Morton Titterton, said "we worked hard and our quality came out in a much improved performance. We have a platform to build on and will go to Rothwell Town on Wednesday in good shape."
Brakes Richard Morris; Marcus Jackson; Arron Parkinson [Capt.]; Andy Gregory; Martin Hier (Adam Cooper 72); Stuart Herlihy; Liam Reynolds (Craig Dutton 79); Ben Mackey (Josh Blake 87); Richard Adams; Russell Dunkley; James Husband
Subs Not used: Martin Thompson; Ryan Parisi
Evesham United Nathan Vaughan; Anthony Watson [Capt.]; Joe Clark; Steven Hands; Danny Hodnett; Mark Hands (Danny Scheppel 52); Lorcan Sheehan (Allando Davis 62); Tom Warmer; Wayne Lawley (Mark Owen 40); Danny Lennon; Liam Givens
Subs Not Used: Steve Luckett; Peter Wood