Saturday 7th August.

Wessex Premier Division.

Laverstock & Ford 1 v 2 BRADING TOWN

As reported by  WES ESSEX.

A stunning strike from Alek Przepolewski gave Brading Town all three points in their opening league fixture of the season at Laverstock.

Steve Brougham’s side went into the game without the influential Fleming and last season’s top scorer Jones, both unavailable, along with the experienced Sunsburg and Sprooles who were both suspended. The starting line-up did include though, two new signings from East Cowes Vics, True in goal and Ince at full back. The substitutes bench included new signing Jack Morris.

In bright sunshine the game started with the Romans almost conceding a goal within the first minute, when True was forced to make an early save following confusion in the centre of the Brading defence. The early scare woke up the Island side and they controlled the first twenty minutes of the game with Levrier and Przepolewski both hitting shots wide. The best chance in this period fell to Appell, an inch perfect cross from Levrier found him at the back-post, but his goal-bound header was blocked by a defender.

In the 22nd minute, Laverstock took the lead against the run of play, the ball was cut back from the by-line to Tutton, who swept the ball home. Brading’s response was immediate, a long, hopeful ball from Stuber down the left, was allowed to bounce into the penalty box and Ince coming in from the right, headed the ball over the stranded keeper into the net.

The remainder of the half saw Brading drop deeper and deeper allowing their opponents to dominate the game, although Przepolewski came closest to scoring when a long throw from the left was cleared to edge of the box and his first time volley flew inches past the post. HT 1-1.

Brading came out a determined to improve in the second half and were soon on top. Levrier had the first chance of the half when he pulled way at the back post to meet a cross from Appell, but his header went wide. The home side were being completely dominated by the visitors with new captain Rayner taking firm control of the midfield.

Just after the hour mark Brading made their first change, taking off Ince and bringing on Morris. The young substitute was soon involved in the game, helping to create a great chance for Appell. He found Levrier in space down the right, who whipped in a low cross into the path of Appell, but he blasted the ball over the bar. On 70 minutes Brading made a further substitution, when the hard working Ford was replaced by Buckett.

 With 15 minutes remaining, Brading scored the goal they had been threatening to score for most of the 2nd half. Buckett made a good run down the left and the ball was crossed into the middle, the Laverstock defence failed to clear the ball and it fell to Przepolewski on the edge of the box, who cracked the ball with his left foot into the net, with the keeper rooted to the spot.

The stunning goal sparked great delight in the Brading dugout, so much so that manager Brougham pulled an achilles tendon running down the touch line in celebration. The final minutes saw the visitor’s comfortably hold out for a deserved win. FT 1-2.

Brading Town Man of the Match… JOE RAYNER. 

Team..True Quigley Przespolewski Phelps Stuber Ford Appell Rayner Giancovic Levrier Ince . 

Subs..Morris Buckett Younie.

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IOW Challenge Cup.

BRADING TOWN RES 6 v 0 Carisbrooke United.

( Vale 2 M. Burford 2 Ranson 1 Moore 1 )

Brading Town Res sealed an emphatic win over Carisbrooke. From the off  Brading dominated the game and Plumbley in the Brading goal was a virtual bystander.

With some players also unavailable due to 1st team call up’s and injuries etc. When all are available, manager Hitchcox will have some tough decisions to make. All in all, it looks good for the reserves.

Team..Plumbley Woodnutt Prescott Phipps Lewis Burford M Lawson Hitchcox Moore Ranson Armstrong S.

Subs…Williams Vale Armstrong B.