Colwyn Bay defeat a ‘real wake-up call’ for Brakes

Frank Sinclair’s side came into the game on the back of a 5-0 home defeat to AFC Fylde but, aided by some uncharacteristically sloppy defending, they condemned Brakes to their biggest home defeat of their Conference North tenure.

“They are the poorest side we have played this season but we didn’t approach it correctly,” admitted Holleran.

“To be beaten like that by a side in transition is very disappointing and hard to take.

“It could have been different if we had defended certain situations better and taken our chances and you can talk bad luck and officials.

“But the bottom line is that we weren’t good enough and it’s a real wake-up call.

“We let our standards drop and we got punished.”

Brakes’ third defeat of the season left them just above the relegation places, but with just three points separating them from fifth-placed AFC Fylde in a tightly packed table, Holleran knows the outlook can quickly change.

However, he is aware that they cannot continue to prove such a soft touch at home if they are to establish themselves in the middle of the pack.

“I’d taken a lot of positives from the previous performances, even the defeats.

“So to go into Saturday and put in such a flat performance, especially at home...

“Every time we’ve got a run going, we’ve been good at home.

“But it was too easy for them and that’s what got me down the most.”

Joe Magunda is expected to return from an ankle injury for Brakes at Stalybridge Celtic tomorrow, while Danny Newton should be restored to the starting line-up after illness left him consigned to his bed in the run up to the Colwyn Bay defeat.