Clunesy grabs last minute winner for battling Brakes
Wed, 17 Oct 2007 @ Sharpenhoe Road, Barton le-clay. vs Barton Rovers (2-1). British Gas Business Football League Midland Division. By P Edwards.
A hazardous journey down to Bedfordshire turned out to be well worth it, as Brakes snatched a late goal to delight those who had travelled. Substitute Martin Thompson scored his first goal of the season to bag all three points for Jason Cadden, who looked delighted at the final whistle.
Brakes saw a first miunte goal ruled out, Adam Cooper apparently penalised for shirt pulling as he made an uncharacteristic charge from defence, before challenging home keeper Matt Niedzwiecki, who did not have full control of the ball. It squirmed from his grasp into the path of Ben Mackey, who tapped it home, but the linesman on our side of the pitch had his flag raised. He did not endear himself to the Brakes faithful with his one sided decisions, especially during the first half.
Barton Rovers have made a myriad of new signings during the summer. They clearly want to improve on their poor finish last season, and have a fearsome looking front pairing of Zema Abbey and Dean Brennan, who have both played in the Football League and the Conference in recent seasons. Along with former Watford and Gillingham midfielder David Perpetuini, they could strike fear into some teams, but not Leamington. Unperturbed by these star names, they set about their business on the rain soaked surface with great determination.
Early on, the home side looked dangerous. In a quick break, Abbey laid the ball off for Brennan to crack a shot wide of the far post. Abbey himself was denied by a fine stop low down to his left by Richard Morris, but from the resulting corner the tall front runner powered a header into the far corner of the net to put Rovers in front.
This was a test of resolve for Brakes; the first time they had been behind in a league game since August. Russell Dunkley had already held the ball up superbly on the right wing, before threading a pass for Marcus Jackson to run onto, but the right back saw his shot hit the side netting as he was put under pressure by a covering defender.
After going behind, Josh Blake stretched to slide a pass to James Husband on the left, and his first time effort flashed wide of the far post.
On twenty nine minutes the scores were level, and it was no more than Brakes deserved, as they hurried and hassled their opponents into mistakes. Marcus Jackson won a free kick on the right, and with the Barton defence expecting a cross, he squared the ball for Ben Mackey, who was quickly closed down. Ben held onto the ball however, and slid a pass through the crowded area to his strike partner Josh Blake, who stabbed the ball home to the delight of the travelling faithful on the terraces.
Both sides struggled to make any real inroads on goal for the rest of the half, but the game was an absorbing battle. Mackey crashed a shot over from the edge of the box when he managed to make some space for himself. He was clearly marked down as a dangerous player by Barton, as he was closed down quickly whenever he received the ball.
The second half continued in much the same vein as the rain continued to pour down. The pitch was becoming increasingly sticky, and the tackles were hard but fair, with no cards shown by Referee Mr Mackay.
Russell Dunkley, who spent a lot of the game trying to make sure he kept his shirt on, thought he had scored a second goal for Brakes when he headed Marcus Jacksons cross goalbound, but he was denied by the outstretched hand of the keeper.
As the match ticked into the closing stages, Barton introduced their new signing, the much travelled non league striker Garry Sippetts, and he added fresh impetus to their attack as they went in search of a winner. They were kept at bay by the Leamington back line, with Captain Arron Parkinson leading by example when under pressure.
Cadsey threw on Martin Thompson and Avun Jephcott in the final ten minutes, replacing the hard working Mackey and Dunkley, and they set about making a nuisance of themselves down the slope, against the tiring home defence. Barton looked the more likely side to score in the final minutes, but Leamington continued to hold firm, and as an attack broke down and a home player shaped to clear out of defence, Parkinson slid in with a fine challenge. The ball broke clear to Jackson, who sent over the perfect cross for Martin Thompson to send his header thudding into the Barton net. The popular striker raced over for a sliding celebration in the mud with his team mates, in front of the ecstatic Brakes fans.
Barton pressed for an equaliser, as the Referee played an extortionate amount of adding time, but Leamington held on, and can be well pleased with a very hard earned three points.
Attendance: 135
Barton Rovers: Matt Niedzwiecki, Moses Olaleye, Graeme Buchanan, Chris Wild, Dean Buss, Steven Dogbe, David Perpetuini, Charlie Mapes (Garry Sippetts, 67), Zema Abbey, Dean Brennan [Capt]; Frazer Toms.
Other subs: Stuart Strange, Dave Tilbury, Leon Cashman, Steve Graham.
Leamington: Richard Morris, Marcus Jackson, Arron Parkinson [Capt}; Adam Cooper, Ryan Parisi, Stuart Herlihy, Liam Reynolds, Ben Mackey (Martin Thompson, 82), Russell Dunkley (Avun Jephcott, 85), Josh Blake, James Husband.
Subs not used: Craig Dutton, Ryan Willetts.
- MotM Arron Parkinson.