Brakes combine style with grit to beat Chippenham

Brakes supporters hoping for a positive response to Saturday’s cup reverse at Daventry were rewarded with a battling, resilient performance at Hardenhuish Park which earned a first victory over Chippenham Town since promotion to the Premier Division, writes Paul Edwards.

Both teams began well but it was Brakes, with centre-back Asa Charlton making a solid debut, who stole the advantage after ten minutes.

It was noticeable that the two front players had more support going forward and, when keeper Will Puddy could not hold on to a Alex Taylor effort, David Kolodynski was on hand to hook home the loose ball from a tight angle.

Lee Downes saw a 30-yard free-kick saved by Puddy, while Jacob Blyth required treatment for a head wound sustained in an aerial challenge.

Referee Richard Hulme almost helped set up an equaliser when he inadvertently got in the way of a clearance. The ball rebounded nicely into the path of an attacker, but Tony Breeden saved well to prevent any possible controversy.

Brakes looked comfortable in the opening second-half exchanges, but their single-goal lead still looked precarious against a strong Chippenham side.

Fortunately, the cushion of a second arrived four minutes in.

A break on the left saw Kolodynski cut in from the touchline and deliver the perfect ball for Craig Owen, who did not have to break stride as he crashed a first-time drive high into the roof of the net for his first goal in Gold and Black.

Blyth headed powerfully over from a corner as Leamington looked to press home their advantage, but a potential game changing moment arrived with little over 20 minutes remaining when James Mace gave away a penalty and received his second yellow card.

Dave Gilroy stepped up to the spot, but his low shot was kept out by a superb save from Breeden.

Paul Holleran sacrificed Kolodynski for Scott Lycett as the home side piled forward in search of a goal, which arrived quickly.

A corner kick from the right was allowed to travel to the back post and, although Breeden got something on it to keep it out initially, he was helpless to prevent Alan Griffin smashing home the loose ball from almost on the line.

Stephan Morley cleared an almost certain goal from the line and another shot that was too close for comfort was headed clear.

However, there were occasional chinks of light for Leamington and Batchelor clipped the ball over the head of the advancing Puddy after being sent through, but it dropped agonisingly wide of the post.

Daly followed Morley into the notebook as the bombardment continued and Breeden was down well to save a powerful drive from Chippenham skipper Ashley Williams.

The travelling support were doing their bit, keeping up an incessant noise for the last 15 minutes and, after what seemed like an eternity of time added on, they were finally able to celebrate a very hard-earned win.

Chippenham Town: Will Puddy, Mani Randhawa, Toby Osman (Jack Pitcher, 69), Ashley Williams, Steve Casey, Nathan Rudge, Scott Lye, Ross Stearn (James Guthrie, 58), Dave Gilroy, Alan Griffin, Aaron Wilson. Subs not used: Kye Holly, Greg Tindle.

Brakes: Tony Breeden, James Mace, Stephan Morley, Lee Downes, Asa Charlton, Liam Daly, Craig Owen, Alex Taylor (James Husband, 90), Jacob Blyth, David Kolodynski (Scott Lycett, 69), Richard Batchelor. Subs not used: Tom Berwick, Sam Adkins, Dior Angus.