Holleran slams sloppy Brakes

Leamington look well placed to progress thanks to James Rowe’s first-half goal, but despite being reduced to ten men, Hyde fought back to win the third qualifying round tie 2-1.

It was a cruel blow for the home side who had dominated the encounter until Matty Burke’s dismissal for a crude challenge on Scott Lycett, with the last-minute winner proving particularly galling.

“We were in control until the sending off,” said Holleran.

“After that we stopped taking care of the ball.

“It was obvious we had to get the ball wider quicker to stretch them

“Give them credit, the sending off galvanised them.

“But if we had taken our chances we’d have won.

“It was like the start of season where we were missing chances and conceding sloppy goals.”

Brakes bounced back from the disappointment of the Trophy exit with a comfortable 3-0 win over Rugby Town in the Red Insure Cup in midweek.

Holleran reshuffled his side, recalling Guy Sanders and giving first starts to Alex Taylor and 19-year-old Jamie Sheldon, and was delighted with the performances of his two most recent signings

“We mixed it up a little and pleasing thing is that the player that came in had a positive impact,” he said.

“The two wide lads excelled.

“Taylor is direct with pace, full of energy and likes to get at people, while Sheldon is a young, intelligent footballer, who did well, especially in the second half when he influenced the game and scored two good goals.”

Brakes will be hoping to maintain their impressive Zamaretto Premier Division form tomorrow when they travel to Banbury.

Holleran’s side have won seven and drawn one of their last eight, and despite a week’s inactivity still lie fifth in the table.

“It will be nice to get back to league action,” said Holleran. “The locality means we’ll take good support and it should be a good atmosphere.

“One of the few positives [of the break from league action] is no one has taken advantage of us not playing.

“All the teams have dropped points and we’re still in the pack with games in hand.

“It’s a nice position to be in.”

Brakes will be without Scott Lycett and Lee Downes tomorrow, with both player serving one-match bans.

James Husband and James Rowe, who were both left out of the squad in midweek as a precautionary measure, are expected to return.

n Brakes’ home fixture against Cirencester Town, recently rearranged for November 30, has been postponed for a second time due to the Centurions’ continued involvement in the FA Trophy.