Sat, 13 Oct 2007 @ The New Windmill Ground. vs Rothwell Town (1-0). British Gas Business Football League Midland Division. By D Hucker. Despite Rothwell's resilience and successful use of the offside trap, Brakes ran out worthy winners to consolidate their position at the head of the table.
In the opening skirmishes, Russell Dunkley, in particular, strayed into a number of offside positions as Brakes struggled to turn their greater possession into goals. However, on 30 minutes, Marcus Jackson was fouled by Ryan Collis and took the free-kick himself, finding captain Arron Parkinson at the far post for an unstoppable header that gave Brakes the lead that their endeavours deserved.
They could easily have had more, but visiting 'keeper, Tom Smith, made two brilliant saves, diving across his goal to deny first Richard Adams and then Ben Mackey. James Husband had a great chance to score with three minutes of the half remaining, but his shot went across the face of the goal and the home side went into the break with the slenderest of leads.
Rothwell had to attack more in the second half but, although their approach play was fast and accurate, their finishing let them down. Richard Morris in the home goal wasn't really tested and it was Brakes that had the best opportunities to score.
Mackey and Adams both went close with shots that went just over the bar before Smith pulled off another fine save, this time denying the industrious Dunkley. Man of the match, Stuart Herlihy, saw his 69th minute header from a Jackson inswinging corner come off the post and substitute, Avun Jephcott was gifted a chance when latching onto Smith's poor clearance, but put his shot high into the stand.
Herlihy and the fast-improving Liam Reynolds were strong in midfield and the back three of Parkinson, Adam Cooper and Ryan Parisi worked tirelessly throughout. As Rothwell mounted their final attacks, Cooper made two timely interventions to ensure that Brakes kept their fifth clean sheet in a row in the league.
The televising of England's match against Estonia affected the attendance and, with just 354 people inside the New Windmill, the atmosphere was strangely subdued. However, those who came saw Brakes record their sixth win in eight matches and continue to set the early pace.
Brakes Technical Advisor, Keith Orme, felt that the team had done enough to win, adding "We were solid at the back and weren't really troubled at any stage. Their 'keeper played well, making two exceptional saves in the first half, but we should have taken more of our chances. You can't always win by three or four goals and we are happy with the result."
Brakes Richard Morris, Marcus Jackson, Arron Parkinson [Capt.}, Adam Cooper, Ryan Parisi, Stuart Herlihy, Liam Reynolds, Ben Mackey (Josh Blake 60), Richard Adams, Russell Dunkley (Avun Jephcott 70), James Husband
Subs Not Used: Craig Dutton; Ryan Willetts, Morton Titterton.
Rothwell Town Tom Smith, Paul Rice, Ryan Collis, Ben Creasey, Martin Flannigan, Adam Sturgess [Capt.], Stephen Purton, Adam Bridgeford (Fazel Koriya 62), Kevin Byrne, Peter Sneddon (Michael Boyle-Chong 77), Jon Stead
Subs Not Used: Richard Challinor, Liam Boath, Michael Tolton
- MotM Stuart Herlihy.