Tue, 27 Nov 2007 @ The New Windmill Ground. vs Woodford United (4-0). British Gas Business Football League Midland Division. By D Hucker. Brakes were bubbling after last Saturdays FA Carlsberg Trophy win at Fisher Athletic and were two goals up by half-time. Jamie Towers, whose loan period from Nuneaton Borough has been extended by two months, was thwarted by a good save by Matt Finlay on 7 minutes, but it didnt take long for Brakes to open the scoring as Josh Blake stabbed the ball home in the 13th after Arron Parkinson had headed back across goal from a Marcus Jackson free-kick.
Blake nearly got a second on 21 minutes after being put through by Russell Dunkley, but Finlay again saved and Blake then put a shot wide ten minutes later.
The second goal came on the stoke of half-time when Ben Mackey finished off a good move involving Towers and Dunkley, celebrating with his trademark somersault.
Woodford attacked with more purpose after the break and Richard Morris had to be at his best to deny them a goal. However, they didnt make their pressure pay and it was Brakes that struck with their third on 55 minutes when Parkinson stole in at the far post to fire home against his former club.
With the persistent rain making the surface increasingly slippery, there were chances for both sides. However, there was no fluke about Brakes fourth, as Dunkley took the ball to the edge of the penalty area before unleashing an unstoppable shot past Finlay. Having been Woodfords leading marksman despite suffering injury, Dunkley is rapidly showing his class as both provider and scorer of goals and there is, hopefully, more to come.
With the clock ticking down, substitute Stuart Haynes fouled Martin Thompson (himself on for the injured Blake) and Morris stepped up to take the spot kick, but blasted over the bar to continue Brakes poor record this season with penalties.
Ryan Parisi did not reappear for the second half and went off to hospital. We will post more news on this when we have it. Neil Stacey was signed for the night from Racing Club Warwick in place of Adam Cooper who was suspended.
Manager Jason Cadden said "I was delighted with the result in what turned out to be a pretty physical match. Some of the lads were still a bit tired after Saturday and our performance could have fallen flat. However, everyone did the business and all three of the forwards scored."
Brakes Richard Morris, Jamie Towers, Arron Parkinson [Capt.], Ryan Parisi (Craig Dutton 46), Martin Hier, Stuart Herlihy, Liam Reynolds, Ben Mackey (James Husband 76), Josh Blake (Martin Thompson 54), Russell Dunkley, Marcus Jackson
Subs Not Used: Neil Stacey, Chris Gibson (GK)
Woodford United
Matt Finlay, Terry Fitton, Tom James, Kai Ridley, Jamie Williams (Stuart Haynes 81), Craig Pearman, Ross Harris, Neil King, Dave Pearson, Carl Standen, Anthony Powell (Justin Brown 60)
Subs Not Used: Tom Lorraine, Phil Mason, James Foote (GK)