Dodd double sees Brakes to victory without a Hitch

Brakes turned in a commanding performance against visitors Hitchin Town in the first of their bank holiday fixtures, writes Paul Edwards.

The Canaries arrived at The New Windmill Ground on the back of impressive wins over Redditch United and St Neots Town, but finished this contest well beaten as Brakes barely allowed them a sniff of goal.

An early Marc Leach shot was comfortably saved by Kevin Sawyer, while Joe Magunda received a yellow card a little harshly for the first late challenge of the game.

Brakes began to press when Matt Dodd’s low ball fizzed across the goalmouth and was put behind for a corner, from which Liam Daly’s downward header brought out a fine save from Hitchin number one Martin Bennett. Moments later another headed effort from the same player was scrambled behind again.

Dodd was causing havoc on the right wing but, after robbing a defender and with Tom Berwick unmarked at the back post, his cross was overhit.

Leamington were well on top and James Mace glanced a header narrowly wide with the keeper beaten before Magunda brought out a fine save from Bennet with a 25-yard effort.

Hitchin momentarily threatened, with James Mace producing a fine block to deny Callum Donnelly after the home defence failed to deal with a cross from the right flank.

However, just short of the half-hour mark, Leamington were deservedly in front.

Berwick produced a neat turn in the box but was impeded as he tried to get his shot away and Dodd nonchalantly sent Bennett the wrong way from the spot to open the scoring.

Lee Chilton came close to doubling the lead when he showed superb technique to volley a defensive header back across goal and just wide of the far post.

Brakes were given a wake-up call when Dean Gilbert headed a free-kick inches past the post, but this was to be a rare sight of goal for the visitors.

Leamington continued to fashion chances in the second half. Dodd’s drive was spilled by Bennett, but Richard Batchelor could only hit the follow-up straight at the keeper.

Berwick then wriggled free of two defenders inside the penalty area but Bennett was out quickly to block his shot. The striker then got another sight of goal but dragged his shot wide from 25 yards.

Brakes gave themselves some breathing space with 14 minutes left. Substitute Craig Owen found Chilton, whose shot slammed against the post and fell kindly for Lee Moore to turn in from close range for his first goal for the club.

Moore was involved again when he picked up a clearance from a corner, playing the ball to the far post where Chilton hit a first-time shot straight at Bennett.

With four minutes remaining, Dodd put the seal on a performance which left the New Windmill buzzing. Taking advantage of a slip by his marker, he advanced into the box and rifled a powerful drive across the Bennett and into the far corner of the net.

Brakes: Kevin Sawyer, James Mace, Michael Tuohy, Joe Magunda, Jamie Hood, Liam Daly, Matt Dodd, Lee Chilton, Tommy Berwick (Will Green, 83), Lee Moore (Alex Taylor, 82), Richard Batchelor (Craig Owen, 74). Subs not used: James Husband, Sam Adkins.

Hitchin Town: Martin Bennett, Daniel Webb, Marc Leach, Laurie Stewart, Dean Gilbert, Jack Beckett (Liam Hickey, 66), Tony Fontanelle (Liam Toomey, 66), Luke Gregson, Callum Donnelly, Daniel Delderfield, Zak Burke. Subs not used: Ben Islam, 16 Josh Bickerstaff, 17 Bart Pedrycz.