Blyth braces brings play-offs back into view

Maybe a top-five finish is not such a long shot after all.

Following on from a bleak run of 11 games without a victory, this win over a lively Puritans side made it nine points from nine and means Brakes can start looking upwards again rather than over their shoulders.

And, while it may still be too early to start clearing the diary for May 2 - the date of the play-off semi-finals - there is definintely a renewed swagger surrounding Paul Holleran’s team.

The introduction of Craig Owen and Neil Barnfield to the centre of midfield has played a large part in the revival, with Barnfield adding an assured touch to Owen’s range of passing.

However, more importantly it seems Brakes’ luck may be starting to change, with both Jacob Blyth’s goals on Tuesday night being gifted to him by glaring defensive howlers.

Blyth still had plenty to do on both occasions, but the confident way he lifted the ball first-time over keeper Andrew Kemp after Dan Chilton’s slip for Brakes’ second suggested speculation surrounding his joining up with Birmingham City has finally been put to the back of his mind.

The 89th-minute clincher again showcased his predatory instinct, with the young striker nipping in to toe-poke the ball past Kemp after Ben Thackeray’s back header had fallen woefully short.

It proved a fitting conclusion to a entertaining game in which struggling Banbury played their full part.

Supporters were still coming through the turnstile when Liam Daly guided home Stephan Morley’s free-kick to open the scoring in the third minute.

The goal should have been the springboard for Brakes to go on and inflict further damage on a Banbury side coming into the match on the back of four straight defeats.

However, a James Mace header apart, which was cleared off the line by Joe Coleman, Brakes struggled to fashion any clear-cut chances and Banbury levelled on the half-hour.

The hosts had already received fair warning of the Purtians’ aerial prowess when Nathan Vaughan was pressured into dropping a high bouncing ball in the 12th minute.

And it was from another lofted delivery that Banbury were handed a way back into the game.

Vaughan failed to claim Coleman’s cross and as Ricky Johnson shaped to drive home the loose ball, he was brought down by Jamie Hood.

Johnson picked himself up to send Vaughan the wrong way from the spot to restore a parity which lasted barely two minutes.

Blyth’s 14th goal of the campaign came after good harrying from David Kolodynski and seemed to knock the stuffing out of Banbury, who were lucky not to be further behind at the break.

Alex Taylor’s appeals were waved away as he tumbled to the ground while trying to get on the end of a Lee Chilton cross, while Mace scooped the ball over the bar from eight yards with the goal at his mercy.

Blyth was then narrowly off-target after ghosting on to the end of Owen’s flighted ball.

Taylor was in the thick of the action after the break, bringing a fine save out of Kemp after winning a free-kick which saw Tommy Kinch booked. The wide man then headed the resultant corner wide.

Blyth headed over in the 58th minute after neat build-up play involving Chilton and Morley on the left and at the other end there was an anxious moment as Ryan Howell beat Vaughan to another high ball. However, he was unable to direct his header on target.

Chilton brought out a sprawling save from Kemp after being teed up by Barnfield and seconds later brought out another good save after being allowed to run unchallenged down the middle.

Taylor had another sight of goal, but curled his effort narrowly wide and, as the clock ticked down, Brakes retreated further and further into their own half.

Owen made a vital interception at the far post before substitute Michael Tuohy produced a fine block to deny Chilton as Banbury committed men forward in search of a point.

Ian King was brought on in the dying minutes to add some steel to Brakes’ midfield and indicative of the home side’s change in fortunes, he had a hand in the clinching goal.

His hopeful punt forward caused confusion between Kemp and Thackeray and Blyth was on hand to bag his second of the game and bring up Brakes’ first three-match winning streak of the season.

A fourth at Totton tomorrow and you could even be afforded a quick glance at your plans for May 7.

Brakes: Nathan Vaughan, James Mace, Stephan Morley, Neil Barnfield, Jamie Hood, Liam Daly, Alex Taylor (James Husband, 90), Craig Owen (Ian King, 87), Jacob Blyth, David Kolodynski (Michael Tuohy, 83), Lee Chilton. Subs not used: Asa Charlton, Lee Williams.

Banbury United: Andrew Kemp, Ben Thackeray, Tommy Kinch, Liam Dolman, Dan Chilton, Joe Coleman, Ryan Howell, Josh Cole, Ricky Johnson, Simeon Williams, Ben Polk (Dior Angus, 68). Subs not used: Liam Richardson, Paul Lamb, Neil Stacey.