Holleran: Plenty of plusses from maiden Conference campaign

Goals from Walsall loanee Reece Flanagan and Danny Newton gave Brakes a 2-1 win over Colwyn Bay on the final day of the season to extend their unbeaten run to nine matches.

It left Brakes comfortably in mid-table and Holleran admitted he had been encouraged by the way his side adapted to the step up.

“It’s a solid start for us and there have been some real plusses,” he said.

“We’ve brought in some good young lads along the way such as Reece Flanagan and Ryan Higgins.

“Flanagan will go on to be a good league player and it’s good for the fans to be able to see them at this stage in their careers.

“The likes of Nathan Hicks and Danny Newton have really helped us along the way and a few of the lads that were already here have upped their games - the likes of Stephan Morley, Tony Breeden, James Mace and Joe Magunda have got better as the season progressed.

“Everyone sets out with ambitions to win the league or get in the play-offs, but, all things considered, it has been a season I’ll take a lot of satisfaction from.”

With Flanagan returning to his parent club and Higgins sure to attract offers higher up the Pyramid after being released by Birmingham City, Brakes will have some key positions to fill ahead of next season.

However, Holleran is hoping there will not be too much coming and going over the course of the summer.

“Hopefully we’ll keep the majority of players.

“One or two weren’t up to it and we’ll need to move things around a bit, but it will be a case of playing a waiting game.

“We’re not one of those teams that can offer a one or two-year contract.”

 Supporters are being offered the chance to make significant savings on 2014/15 season tickets with an early-bird option offering adults a season of Conference football for less than £9.50 per game .

The deal runs until June 30, with an adult season ticket priced at £199 (concessions: £118). A student ticket costs £85, with under-18s priced at £45 and children under-12 free.