Brackley fail to find a way past Breeden

Brakes emerged with a hard- earned point from a backs-to-the-wall performance against Brackley, writes Paul Edwards.

Goalkeeper Tony Breeden produced what was probably his finest 90 minutes in a Brakes shirt, pulling off a string of superb saves to frustrate the home side.

The first chance of the game fell to the visitors in the opening minutes. Jacob Blyth powered into the penalty area and his low drive was saved by the legs of keeper Jon Bond.

Gradually Brackley began to impose themselves. Tom Kemp’s header from a free-kick was saved comfortably by Breeden, but the defender was cautioned after a reckless challenge on Blyth as he made for goal.

Elliot Sandy latched on to his own flick just inside the penalty area, but his stabbed effort was easily saved by Breeden, as was a drive from distance by Tom Winters.

The Brakes stopper was forced to work much harder in the remainder of the first half.

Slick build-up play created a chance for Steve Basham and despite seeing the ball late, Breeden was able to push it behind with the aid of a post.

From the resultant corner, Carl Palmer’s deflected effort produced a stunning one-handed save, with Basham blasting the loose ball just over.

Brackley had the ball in the net in the 39th minute but their joy was cut short by an offside decision.

There was little respite for the outplayed visitors as Brackley broke from their own half and Owen Story put in a perfect cross for Palmer to strike powerfully towards goal, only for the ball to strike teammate Basham.

Brackley continued to press and Leamington were chasing shadows in their own penalty area, with Basham left wondering how he had not broken the deadlock as Breeden pushed his shot around the post.

Stephan Morley got a vital touch to a dangerous cross early in the second half, with Tom Kemp powering a close-range header over the bar when it appeared easier to score.

Paul Holleran threw on Richard Batchelor and Michael Tuohy, but Brakes were still on the defensive for the most part, with Breeden saving a shot down on his goalline from Story.

Leamington found a little more space as the game drew to a conclusion, with Blyth heading a deep cross from Morley just wide.

But there was yet another scare at the other end as Jamie Hood’s diving header saved an almost certain goal.

Liam Daly’s powerful header from a corner was diverted over the bar by Story but this was as close as Brakes came to a goal.

Brackley had more chances before the final whistle, with Winters firing a free-kick over and Brakes somehow bundling Palmer’s dangerous cross behind for a corner.

Brackley Town: Jon Bond, Jamie Clifton, Jamie Gould, Barry Quinn, Chris Willmott, Tom Kemp, Owen Story, Carl Palmer, Elliot Sandy, Steve Basham (Joe Magunda, 71), Tom Winters.Subs not used: Marcus Bignot, Darren Collins, Ashley Peyton-Bruhl.

Leamington: Tony Breeden, Scott Lycett, Stephan Morley, Lee Downes, Jamie Hood, Liam Daly, Luke Corbett (Michael Tuohy, 62), Neil Barnfield (Richard Batchelor, 62), Jacob Blyth, James Rowe, Jamie Sheldon (Alex Taylor, 72). Subs not used: Chris Knight, Tom Cross.