Wessex Premier Division.

As reported by WES ESSEX.

BRADING TOWN 3 v 1 Alton Town.

Brading Town earned three valuable points in a real relegation battle at a muddy Peter Henry Ground on Saturday, beating Alton Town 3-1.

Steve Brougham’s men were looking for their first win since their superb 1-0 victory over Poole Town on 7th November. There were four changes from the side defeated at Hamworthy last week, Ollie Fleming and Kieron Ford both returned after suspension with Dan Vale and Danny Hatcher also returning to the starting line-up. Brougham decided to go for the youthful strike-force of Scott Jones and Vale for this vital game.

After nearly 24 hours of persistent rain it was a surprise that the game was on at all, but it was playable, although the pitch was going to cut up very quickly. The Romans played up the slope in the first half and started well, with Jones going close with a snap shot that went inches past the post. Against the run of play the visitors took the lead in the sixth minute, a low cross towards the back post found McCann in space who slotted the ball past McCormack. To Brading’s credit their heads never went down and they found an equaliser ten minutes later. Vale battled on the left to win the ball and then crossed towards the near post where JONES bravely dived between two defenders to flick a header past the Alton keeper. The visitors were still a threat and McCormack had to be at his best to a stop low strike and smother the rebound.

On the half hour mark the home side took the lead for the first time, good work between Vale and Ford on the left ended with Ford firing a low cross towards the back post where HATCHER got a foot in to force the ball home. Minutes later Brading almost increased their lead when the visitor’s keeper spilt a long distance shot and the ever alert Vale pounced, but his close range effort went over the bar. HT 2-1.

The second half started with a golden opportunity for Alton to draw level. With the Brading defence claiming offside, a through ball put an Alton forward clean through with only McCormack to beat, but his shot went into the side netting. Midway through the half came the goal that settled the match in the home side’s favour, a deep free-kick was only half cleared to edge of the box, APPELL struck a low drive through a number of players’ legs that the Alton keeper did not see till late and could not keep it out.

There were no further chances for either side as the heavy pitch began to take it’s toll, and the tackles were getting harder. Brougham made a double substitution with fifteen minutes left, bringing off the outstanding pair Vale and Jones, and replacing them with Przespolewski and Sprooles. There was also a late change when Roper was brought on for the hard working Appell. FT 3-1.

Brading Town Man of the Match…DANNY VALE.
 
Team..McCormack Phelps Quigley Sunsburg Fleming Stuber Appell Ford HatcherVale Jones. 

Subs..Sprooles Przespolewski Roper Rayner.

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IOW Saturday League, Div 2.

Seaview 3 v 3 BRADING TOWN RES.

( Reeve 2 Lewis 1 )

Brading Town Man of the Match..SCOTT LAWSON.

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Combination 1.

BRADING TOWN “A” 2 v 2 Sandown Res.

( Gullen, Woodhouse )

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