Football
Berwick sets up cup success

Rugby Town 1 Leamington 2

TOM BERWICK hit a double to fire Brakes into round two of the Red Insure Southern League Cup at Butlin Road on Tuesday night.

Berwick grabbed a goal in each half to complete a comfortable victory with former Brakes striker David Kolodynski hitting a stoppage time consolation for Rugby.

Brakes will feel justice was done as they were leading 1-0 when the original tie was abandoned after 76 minutes due to floodlight failure two weeks ago.

The visitors started brightly and were rewarded after 16 minutes when Berwick neatly stepped inside defender Alex Gudger and curled a delightful shot beyond keeper David Bevan.

Rugby enjoyed plenty of possession but struggled to break down a well organised Brakes defence.

Berwick and Lee Chilton both had efforts saved by Bevan at the start of the second half before Brakes doubled their advantage in the 54th minute.

The lively Berwick showed good control to create space in the penalty area and then calmly slipped the ball past the advancing Bevan.

Brakes, sensing the job was done, relaxed their grip and Rugby took advantage but Niall Cooper was swifty off his line to deny Sam Youngs.

Kolodynski, who entered the fray as a 60th minute substitute, was quickly in action with a snap shot which flew just wide.

Brakes weathered the storm and should have increased their lead when Joe Magunda and Lee Moore set up a clear-cut opening for Chilton who failed to hit the target from close range.

Kolodynski did reduce the arrears with a looping shot deep into stoppage time but Brakes deservedly progressed to keep their double hopes alive.

Meanwhile, Brakes produced their best performance of the season to record an impressive 3-1 Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division victory at leaders Hemel Hempstead on Saturday.

Brakes opened the scoring after 19 minutes when Hemel defender Joe Bruce turned a dangerous cross from James Husband into his own net.

The lead was increased after 34 minutes through recent recruit Ricky Johnson who neatly headed home an inviting cross from Husband to claim his first goal for the club.

The table-toppers got right back in contention within three minutes of the restart as an attempted clearance in the penalty area struck the returning Craig Owen and beat the despairing dive of keeper Niall Cooper.

But Brakes restored their two goal cushion inside six minutes when Johnson turned provider by crossing for Lee Chilton to head home via the underside of the bar.

Delighted Brakes boss Paul Holleran said: "The players were tremendous and I thought they worked extremely hard in what at times were difficult conditions.

"Both teams deserve a lot of credit because they both tried to play the right way but I don’t think anybody could argue with the result."

Brakes, who are second in the table five points behind Hemel with four games in hand, entertain lowly Chippenham Town this Saturday (3pm) in what is their first home game for more than a month.

Brakes have been boosted by the return of Craig Owen who has rejoined the club from Rushall Olympic.

Holleran said: "Craig has reviewed his situation and believes he can make the necessary commitment to play for us.  It's great news as I never wanted to lose him in the first place."

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