Tue, 20 Nov 2007 @ The New Windmill Ground. vs Stourbridge (0-2). British Gas Business Football League Midland Division. By D Hucker. Manager, Jason Cadden, made two changes from the side that had won at Willenhall a week ago with James Husband on the left in place of the unavailable Marcus Jackson and the returning Stuart Herlihy taking over from Liam Reynolds in midfield. Andy Gregory made the teamsheet for the first time in two months, being named as substitute.
Stourbridge came into the match on the back of an 8-1 demolition of Cinderford Town, which made them the leagues leading scorers. In Leamington, they were meeting the team with the meanest defence, so the stage was set for a fascinating clash.
Brakes had a chance to open the scoring on 11 minutes when a free kick by Arron Parkinson cleared the Stourbridge defence and Jamie Towers sent in a shot that flashed across the face of the goal. Mark Bellingham put a well-struck effort into the side-netting for the visitors, before Josh Blake went close for Brakes with a strike that just went wide of the post.
However, it was Stourbridge that got the opening goal when Nathan Bennett stole in behind the Brakes defence to meet a free-kick from the left and send a header just under the bar to beat keeper, Richard Morris.
Bellingham nearly added a second, but Morris was equal to the task and Stourbridge went into the break looking the stronger of the two sides.
Brakes attacked at the start of the second half and a good move down the left involving Martin Thompson and Russell Dunkley saw the ball skid across the goal just out of Blakes reach. The industrious Stuart Herlihy shot wide, but chances for the home side were becoming few and far between.
It was no surprise when Stourbridge went further ahead through Leon Broadhurst in the 59th minute after Damian Whitcombes low cross from the right had missed out the Brakes back line and created an easy chance that was accepted with grateful thanks.
It could have been three with six minutes remaining, but Broadhurst shot over the bar from a good position. Herlihy, who along with Ryan Parisi, emerged with credit in what was generally a below-par showing, nearly pulled one back at the end, but his header was saved by Lewis Solley in the Stourbridge goal.
Manager, Jason Cadden, reflected on the run that had come to an end, saying It was a bitterly disappointing performance. They wanted it more and we havent done ourselves justice. If you look back, we would have settled for only two defeats out of the first thirteen matches, so we must think of the positives and gear ourselves up for Saturdays trip to Fisher.
Brakes Richard Morris, Jamie Towers, Arron Parkinson [Capt.], Adam Cooper, Ryan Parisi, Stuart Herlihy, Craig Dutton (Liam Reynolds 69), Josh Blake, Russell Dunkley, Martin Thompson (Ben Mackey 62), James Husband
Subs Not Used: Martin Hier, Andy Gregory, Chris Gibson (GK)
Stourbridge
Lewis Solley, Mark Bellingham, Kyle Hadley, Sam Rock (Paul Danks 83), Morgan Brookes, Nathan Bennett, Craig Slater [Capt.], Leon Broadhurst, James Dyson, Ryan Mahon (Andy Wells 78), Damian Whitcombe
Subs Not Used: Mark Jones, Jamie Rogers, Ollie OConnell (GK)