Brakes 0 North Ferriby United 2: Newton’s missed chances prove costly as North Ferriby underline title credentials

The Villagers arrived at the New Windmill fresh from a 4-0 thrashing of Lincoln City in the FA Trophy and having dished out a 4-1 mauling in December’s reverse fixture.

However, Brakes were undaunted by their visitors’ impressive pedigree in the early stages with Danny Newton dragging a shot wide before being offered a gilt-edged chance to open the scoring in the 12th minute.

Stephan Morley showed good pace to intercept a throwout from Ferriby keeper Adam Nicklin and fed Kieron Morris, whose ball into the six-yard box found Newton in acres of space. However, the home debutant seemed to get his feet in a tangle and prodded the ball wide.

In what was to become a feature of the first half, North Ferriby broke quickly and it was their turn to have their heads in their hands as Anthony Wilson tamely put the ball wide with only Tony Breeden to beat following Dan Clayton’s pull-back.

Wilson then wasted another glaring opportunity, miscueing his header at the far-post after an injection of pace from Liam King had got him to the byline.

A David McNamee shot was deflected for a corner from which Craig Owen’s measured drive was pushed away from goal by Nicklin at full stretch.

Clayton was causing havoc down the flanks and his whipped in ball was headed wastefully over by King before the left-winger was again involved in a move which saw Wilson work the ball through Breeden’s legs before the covering defenders got back to clear the danger.

The action continued at a frenetic pace with a fine piece of skill from Lee Moore allowing him to tee up Matt Dodd, whose shot brushed the top of the net with Nicklin beaten.

Brakes fans were then waiting for the net to bulge after Newton took advantage of a defensive mix-up, but his fierce shot went inches wide of the post with fans behind the goal claiming the keeper got a touch.

Breeden was at full stretch to save from Wilson after another lightning-fast break from the visitors, while Ryan Kendall was crowded out in the box as North Ferriby piled on the pressure.

With the first half entering injury time, a corner from the right was stood up into the six-yard box and Breeden misjudged the flight, allowing Danny Hone to send a downward header into the net to put Ferriby ahead.

After the chances that had gone before, it was to prove the softest of openers and there was more frustration to come for the home bench 11 minutes into the second half.

A Brakes attacking move broke down and play was quickly switched to the other end, where Wilson received the ball on the edge of the box.

After his travails in front of goal, the striker instead chose to lay the ball off for the onrushing King who calmly slotted past the exposed Breeden from eight yards.

With Brakes wobbling, it could quickly have become 3-0, King bringing out a flying save from Breeden after defensive indecision.

Wilson dragged a half-volley across goal and also poked the ball wide with Breeden in no-man’s land, but the fire had gone from the game with the visitors content to hang on to their advantage and Brakes lacking the belief they could turn the match around.

Newton did well to work himself a shooting chance after latching on to a long clearance from Breeden, but Hone got a vital touch on his shot to deflect it for a corner.

Clayton skimmed the top of the bar with a measured chip from the edge of the box, while a Dodd piledriver briefly threatened before being deflected away as the game drifted to a conclusion.

But, there was no disgrace in defeat here, with many in the 409 crowd believing they had been in the presence of the Skrill North champions.

BRAKES: Tony Breeden, Ryan Higgins, Stephan Morley, David McNamee (Josh Hawker, 62), Liam Daly, James Mace, Matt Dodd, Craig Owen, Danny Newton, Lee Moore (Will Green, 74), Kieron Morris. Subs not used: Luke Connolly, Josh Green, Lewis Fenney.

North Ferriby: Adam Nicklin, Dean Lisles (Paul Robson, 76), Nathan Peat, Liam King (Russell Fry, 74), Gregg Anderson, Danny Hone, Danny Clarke, Jonathan D’Laryea, Anthony Wilson, Ryan Kendall (Nathan Jarman, 59), Dan Clayton. Subs not used: Matt Wilson, Antoni Pecora.