Tue, 22 Jan 2008 @ The New Windmill Ground. vs Cinderford Town (1-0). British Gas Business Football League Midlands Division. By D Hucker. With Evesham United and Chasetown both winning, getting all three points was a must for Brakes, but it took until ten minutes from the end to break down a resilient Cinderford side that put plenty of men behind the ball whenever danger threatened.
Cinderford started off much the better team, with Ryan Parker just failing to connect with cross from the left on 5 minutes. A long-range shot by Neil Griffiths flashed past the post and Richard Morris had to be alert to prevent Luke Hopper from getting on the end of another Cinderford cross into the penalty area.
For Brakes, Ben Mackey had chances, but the striker failed to find the target as the home side struggled to make an impact. As the half wore on, Brakes did start to get their act together with Craig Dutton influential in midfield and visiting 'keeper, Nick Church, got down well to deny both Martin Thompson and Jamie Towers.
With four minutes of the half remaining, Guy Sanders sent a long ball into the penalty area which Mackey collected, but sent his shot over the bar. An even better chance fell to Vijay Sidhu, but he put his effort straight at Church.
Brakes opened up the second half in more positive mood, forcing a succession of corners with Sanders and Sidhu both sending shots off-target.
New signing Robbie Beard replaced Thompson and the former Brackley striker injected some extra pace into the Brakes attack, capping his impressive start by scoring from an acute angle on 80 minutes to settle the match. Church may feel unlucky in fumbling the ball in slippery conditions, but Beard will claim the credit and could easily have had a second near the end.
Martin Hier, making his 50th appearance for Brakes, played solidly in the centre of defence alongside Sanders and Arron Parkinson, but the Brakes skipper went off injured in the 71st minute to take some of the gloss off the evening. The good news was the return from injury of Liam Reynolds, who looked strong and sharp and there will be competition for the midfield places in matches to come.
Chris Jennings of Leamington Spa was the 10,000th spectator to come through the turnstiles this season and was presented with a memento at half-time by Councillor David Clough, Mayor of Whitnash.
Manager, Jason Cadden, was delighted with the win that keeps Brakes on top, saying "We dominated from start to finish and would have been disappointed with just a draw. We deserved the win and I am chuffed for Robbie, scoring on his debut."
Brakes Richard Morris, Jamie Towers, Arron Parkinson [Capt.] (Adam Cooper 71), Guy Sanders, Martin Hier, Craig Dutton, James Husband, Ben Mackey, Martin Thompson (Robbie Beard 63), Vijay Sidhu (Liam Reynolds 78), Ryan Parisi.
Subs Not used: Dale Jones, Andy Harper (GK)
Cinderford Town Nick Church, Ryan Parker, Jamie Addis, Neil Griffiths [Capt.], Kristian Witcombe, Marvin Thompson, Tom Davies, Craig Tait, Ben Gascoyne (Steve Crowe 78), Luke Hopper (Daryl Addis 85), Dave Wilkinson.