SAINTS ARE WALKING ON!
AFANTASTIC cup tie played on a difficult surface saw National League North Brackley Town deservedly through to the quarterfinal stage against highriding National League Sutton United.
“Sutton are a strong side and we had to play very well today,” said Saints manager Kevin Wilkin. “They started well and asked questions of us, so it was important to get our noses in front.
“For the neutral it was a very competitive game with good players on show. We’ve worked hard and we deserve the win.”
United manager Paul Doswell did not disagree.
“Full credit to Brackley, who are a good side and deserved the win.
“It was the right decision to play the game even though the pitch was very heavy and we have zero complaints about getting the game on.
“The first goal was important and it was a soft goal for us. The penalty was soft as well, but it was a penalty.
“Good luck to Brackley in the next round. We would have loved to get through today, as it is we focus now on our league games.”
Harry Beautyman and Terrel Thomas both went close in the early minutes and Louis John’s shot needed a good save from Danny Lewis.
Having weathered a testing opening period, Brackley grew into the game and went ahead after 29 minutes when Lee Ndlovu prodded the ball home after a scramble from Shane Byrne’s corner.
The lead was doubled when Jimmy Armson was bundled over allowing Aaron Williams to score from the penalty spot in the 40th minute, his 23rd of the season, and just before the hour mark Armson added a third goal. Sent through on goal by Adam Walker, he
coolly drew keeper Owen Evans before slotting the ball inside the post.
Substitute Tom Bolarinwa brought a fine save from Brackley keeper Danny Lewis, who otherwise was rarely tested as Saints defenders repelled Sutton’s attacks again and again on the edge of the penalty area.
Tommy Wright got a late consolation for Sutton, but there was no way back as Brackley continued to enjoy the better of things with runs by Armson and Ellis Myles both threatening further late goals.
Saints‘ all-round team performance, fine defending and clinical finishing deservedly won the day to put Kevin Wilkin’s side in the FA Trophy quarter-finals for the second successive season.