Daly and Breeden pay the price for Brakes’ Trophy exit

Brakes boss Paul Holleran was keen to look forward after a busy week which saw the departure of two of his most consistent performers.

Centre-back Liam Daly and goalkeeper Tony Breeden were both released in the wake of Leamington’s FA Trophy exit at Romulus, with Holleran moving quickly to secure the services of former Bromsgrove, Chasetown and Stafford Rangers number one Lee Evans from AFC Telford United.

Asa Charlton is expected to fill the void left by Daly for tomorrow’s trip to Cirencester and, having twice seen his side bow out of cup competitions to lower-division teams this season, Holleran said the time was right for a shake-up.

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“Going out to lower league sides is difficult to deal with,” said Holleran.

“You hope you have the quality to deal with them but a small piece is down to attitude and a professional mentality and I feel that the ten, 15 per cent has let us down a bit.

“It’s a good time to freshen things up and there are a couple of other things we are looking to do.

“We’ve got to be more consistent and tidy it up a little in and around the changing room and off the pitch.”

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Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at the Evo-Stik Division One South side was a bitter pill to swallow in the wake of a tame FA Cup exit at Daventry Town.

And Holleran said Brakes’ cup form has been the most disappointing aspect of his time in charge of the club.

“The league is what you are judged on.

“But at every other club I’ve been at I’ve managed to string a cup run together and that has been the most disappointing thing.

“We’re never going to win the FA Cup or the FA Trophy but you want to win a few games and give the fans some great days out.”

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Midweek defeats for Oxford and AFC Totton mean Brakes can go top of the Southern League Premier tomorrow if they beat Cirencester and other results go their way.

And Holleran says that with a few more changes in the pipeline, Brakes can find the consistency to mount a serious promotion challenge.

“There’s more to come and we’re doing everything we can to help us push on.

“If we keep the levels rights and stay in the pack, there’s still a hell of a lot to play for.”

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