Brakes’ reaction delights Holleran

Holleran’s side ground out a 1-0 win at Rowley Park before Ricky Johnson’s injury-time winner at Hitchin re-established their eight-point cushion at the top of the Southern League Premier.

The Canaries went into Monday night’s fixture on the back of successive 4-0 victories, but Brakes produced a resolute performance to limit the service to in-form striker John Frendo.

And, with the game drifting towards a goalless draw, Richard Batchelor produced a lung-busting box-to-box run to set up the clincher, something Holleran said epitomised the never-say-die attitude within his squad.

“You’ve got midfielders who like to pass the ball and players who like to pick the ball up from the back and play it around,” said Holleran.

“But with Batch it’s all about his energy, being in both boxes and popping up with goals.

“It’s in the 91st minute and he’s seen the danger and got a block in on Frendo and then had the strength to hold him off. Thirty seconds later it’s Batch who’s making the overlapping run.

“If anything there’s too much on the ball but he’s kept it in and whipped in a cross that any right-winger would be proud of and it’s a great finish by Ricky.

“After he’s already done his shift, it’s that spirit, desire and passion that really pleases you.”

Two away trips in three days tested Brakes’ resources to the full and Holleran is hoping to bring in reinforcements ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Chesham United.

With Ricky Johnson and Matty Dodd expected to be ruled out, he is in the process of completing a deal for Nuneaton forward Robbie Thompson-Brown, while he could also return to Brackley where Michael Corcoran, Tom Sharpe and Elliot Sandy have all signed dual-registration forms with Leamington.