Mon, 24 Mar 2008 @ War Memorial Ground, Stourbridge. vs Stourbridge (1-2). British Gas Business Football League Midlands Division. By D Hucker. With Evesham United winning at Bishops Cleeve to go nine points clear at the top, this was a match that Brakes needed to win but, despite having more of the play, they were beaten by a combination of outstanding goalkeeping by Lewis Solly and some referring decisions that changed the course of the match.
Clear-cut chances were few and far between in the opening period, as the strong wind made controlling and passing the ball difficult. The best of them fell to Brakes, but they were denied by home 'keeper Lewis Solly who pulled off a number of good saves.
In the 9th minute, the lively Marcus Jackson crossed from the right and James Husband's shot looked to be heading for goal until Solly got down low at the foot of the post. Then, a header by Justin Marsden was chested onto the post by Stourbridge captain Nathan Bennett and the ball was scrambled away for a corner.
Next, Solly saved a Ryan Parisi header from another cross by Jackson and, as half-time approached, made two brilliant stops to deny Scott Hadland and the ever-threatening Husband.
There was drama at the start of the second half when a goalbound Josh Blake shot was handled by a Stourbridge defender, but the referee waived play on, much to the disbelief of Brakes players and supporters. Captain, Arron Parkinson led the protests and was booked for his troubles, but the referee was to be the centre of controversy again before the match was over.
Much against the run of play, Stourbridge scored in the 63rd minute, when Sam Rock sent a looping header over the outstretched hand of Richard Morris and just under the bar. Blake looked to be impeded as he strove to put Brakes back on terms, but was adjudged to have fouled the defender standing in his way. For Stourbridge, Lee Bullimore found Leon Broadhurst with a good cross, but the striker put his shot straight at Morris.
Glen Webb, who last appeared for Brakes on 30 August 2004 against Southam United, made a welcome return to the side and was starting to have an impact when fouled by Bennett on the edge of the penalty area. Husband's rasping free-kick was beaten out by Solly.
The Brakes pressure finally told with five minutes to go when a Jackson cross from the left was headed on by Marsden to Jamie Towers, who slid the ball past Solly for his first goal of the season.
Solly saved well from Webb and Parisi went close with a header just over the bar in the 90th minute. Just when it looked as if Brakes had done enough to earn the point they deserved, the referee inexplicably add four minutes of injury time and, with the last kick of the match, Broadhurst rifled an unstoppable shot past Morris to give Stourbridge victory and virtually write off Brakes title hopes.
After the match, Blake went to hospital for treatment, having been hit in the mouth in the first half. Former players, Webb and David Care, had been drafted into the depleted squad over the weekend and it is to be hoped that the Brakes injury list doesn't grow any longer in the season's run-in.
Manager Jason Cadden said, "We knew that a draw would be no good to us and went out for a win. Having created a lot of chances, we had a blatant penalty turned down and then were undone by goal in stoppage time against the run of play."
Stourbridge Lewis Solly, Sam Rock, Ryan Mahon, Morgan Brookes, Kyle Hadley, Nathan Bennett [Capt.], Craig Slater, Leon Broadhurst, Lee Bullimore (Paul Danks 86), James Dyson, Damian Whitcombe (Andy Wells 46)
Subs Not Used: Mark Jones, Ross Collins, Joe Lucas
Leamington Richard Morris, Jamie Towers, Arron Parkinson [Capt.], Adam Cooper (Glen Webb 77), Guy Sanders, Marcus Jackson, Scott Hadland, James Husband, Justin Marsden, Josh Blake, Ryan Parisi
Subs Not Used: Craig Dutton, Morton Titterton, David Care, Andy Harper