Quakers beaten by late goal
By Ray Simpson
Two minutes from the end
Brackley 2 Darlington 1
Newton 27 mins, 1-0, Main 63 mins, 1-1, Lilly 88 mins, 2-1
Attendance 818
Darlington were beaten by a late goal at St James Park.
After trailing to a first half goal, Quakers responded well in the second to level with a Cedric Main penalty, but Zak Lilly scored a late winner for the home side. After battling back from a goal down and playing well in the second half, Quakers didn't deserve that.
Here are the goals:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTtDcwrns0o
and here's Steve's post match
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6J5JqZ-pQQ
Brackley created a chance in the opening minute through Alfie Bates about 25 yards out, he hit a right foot shot that Peter Jameson saved quite comfortably.
Quakers broke cleverly down the right on 5 minutes, but Will Hatfield’s cross was cut out at the near post.
Brackley won the first corner on 10 minutes off Joe Leesley, but it was well overhit to the far side of the pitch, where Brackley won a free kick that ended up at the back post, where Danny Newton’s effort was deflected into the hands of Jameson.
Quakers nearly scored on 21 minutes when Cedric Main’s shot effort on the edge of the box was blocked only for Will McGowan to hit a first time shot that Brackley keeper Jonny Maxted saved to his left.
Brackley won their second corner on 24 minutes. The ball was curled into the six yard box from the left where Scott Barrow had to head over his own crossbar.
Brackley took the lead on 28 minutes. Quakers thought that they should have had a free kick for a foul on Maskell inside the Brackley half, and play continued up the left. The ball was played into the middle by Kade Craig where Danny Newton controlled the ball well and beat Jameson.
Quakers nearly equalised straight away, when McGowan ran down the right and set up Main, whose right foot shot was deflected over the bar.
After Kallum Griffiths stopped a left wing cross, Quakers broke up the right and McGowan worked his way to the edge of the box where he had a left foot shot blocked.
They went close on 44 minutes when Maskell crossed from the left for Toby Lees to head wide
Half time: Brackley 1 Darlington 0
Quakers increased the tempo in the second half and put the home side under more pressure. They had a chance on 55 minutes when following a ball into the Brackley box that was cleared, Elliot Forbes put a right foot shot over the bar
Quakers nearly levelled on 59 minutes when Maskell found McGowan, who helped the ball on for the advancing Griffiths to hit a right foot shot towards the top corner that Maxted just managed to fingertip over the top.
They were awarded a penalty on 61 minutes when Maskell was tripped in the area, and the referee pointed to the spot. After a delay for an injury, and Will McGowan holding the ball on the penalty spot, Cedric Main sent the keeper the wrong way for his third of the season.
Brackley had a penalty shout of their own when Morgan Roberts burst into the area and went down, but the referee waved play on.
Cedric Main came off after 72 minutes and was replaced by Ali Alshabeeb.
But Brackley regained the lead on 88 minutes, when a free kick was helped on for Zak Lilly to turn quickly and fire into the bottom corner.
Final score 2-1
Jameson, Griffiths, Lees (Salkeld 89), Forbes, Barrow, Flint, Hatfield, Leesley, McGowan, Main (sub Alshabeeb 72), Maskell
Subs: McGrath, Payne, Rivers
Bookings: Barrow, Leesley, Maskell