Brackley Town 2-0 Scunthorpe United Vanarama National League North - Saturday 13th January 2024

Gavin Cowan’s side recorded a notable win over second placed Scunthorpe United with an impressive performance to move into third place in the table.

Danny Elliott’s speculative shot from 30 yards rifled at Danny Lewis rattled the crossbar in an early warning for Brackley but the ‘keeper on his 300th appearance for the club had little to do through the rest of the match as Saints took the game to the visitors.

Morgan Roberts was one on one with Ross Fitzsimons at the other end, Scunthorpe’s ‘keeper saving with his legs. And twice Brackley were close to the opening goal on the half hour as headers were blocked by resolute defending.
The sides went in goal-less at the break after an excellent 45 minutes of football between two well-matched sides but Saints frustrated not to have been ahead.

An explosive start to the second half saw Brackley race into a two goal lead. First centre back Alex Gudger fired in a fierce effort finding the top corner beyond Fitzsimons with unerring accuracy and power to put Saints into a 47h minute lead. Minutes later Tommy O’Sullivan’s free-kick was headed on and Connor Hall pounced to touch the ball into the net for his fourth goal in three games extending the lead.

On 55 minutes Gudger was denied a second goal as his header struck the cross-bar from a corner as Brackley sought to add to the lead.
Scunthorpe’s response rarely threatened the Brackley goal as Gaz Dean led the Saints defence with customary resilience. Indeed it was the home side more likely to score the next goal. Fitzsimons punched away under his cross-bar under pressure before, from a sweeping move, Danny Newton’s shot was bound for the top corner only for Fitzsimons to save well. Scunthorpe put some pressure on the Brackley defence in the closing minutes with a succession of corners but these were stoutly defended without Lewis being called into action.

“There is more belief in the players now,” Cowan said. “It is a really pleasing performance against a very good side at a huge football club. We can take a lot of heart and belief from this. We were well-deserved winners. It was an unbelievable finish for his goal by Alex [Gudger] and Connor [Hall] got a scruffy one for us. We have had terrific support from the fans all season and again today everybody standing together. Supporters recognise the work that is going on so it is a nice one for everyone today.”

Brackley Town: Lewis; Calder, Dean, Gudger, Lyttle; Roberts (Armson 91), Matwasa, Murombedzi, O’Sullivan (Bates 92); Newton, Hall (Turner 82). Subs unused: Lilly, Carline.

Scunthorpe United: Fitzsimons; Denton, Evans, Boyce, Ogle; Clunan, Scales, Beestin (Shrimpton 82); Roberts, Elliott, Law (Wilson 60). Subs unused: Kelly, Kouogun, Barrows.

Referee: J. Maskrey Assistants: Jack Nield and Mark Bates
Attendance: 1008