Brackley Town 3-1 Peterborough Sports 17 Feb 2024

This was a comfortable win for Gavin Cowan’s side lifting Saints to 5th in a congested table.

Brackley went ahead in the 12th minute as Connor Hall fired in a fierce effort after Danny Newton’s initial shot was blocked. James Armson returning to the starting line-up doubled the lead on 17 minutes with a reflex header from Tyler Lyttle’s fine cross giving Peter Crook in Peterborough’s goal no chance.

Newton shot just wide and then saw his fine close range finish from a splendid move chalked off by a tight off-side flag.

Armson fired over when well placed and Newton was foiled as Crook could only push out Armson’s long range shot before smothering the follow up as Brackley threatened to increase the lead.

In first half added time and The Turbines’ only effort on goal the deficit was halved as unmarked Ashton Fox steered a header into the goal from Peterborough’s first corner of the game.

Saints restored their advantage six minutes after the interval as Armson recorded his second goal of the game. Crook’s wayward punched clearance fell for Armson who swept the ball into the goal in emphatic style.

Brackley cruised through the remainder of the match without adding to the score, Newton going closest with a far post header from substitute Tommy O’Sullivan’s cross clawed away at the second attempt by Crook.

“We could have been out of sight at half-time,” Cowan said. “But credit to the lads because we didn’t want to sit back, we wanted to win the second half and they did it comfortably. It is a squad game and it has to be. Any of them can play on the day. The games come thick and fast. The players know we must focus on each game, they know what is at stake and must be fully prepared with recovery and ready for Tuesday’s game now.”

Brackley Town: Lewis; Calder, Dean, Lilly, Lyttle; Murombedzi, Bates, Armson (O’Sullivan 77); Hall, Newton. Subs unused: Turner, Gudger.

Peterborough Sports: Crook; Fryatt, McAuley, Fox; Alban-James; McCammon, Ahui (Lawlor 63), Jarvis, Fowkes, Felix (Miles 66); Gash (Jones 66). Subs unused: Johnson, Overton.

Referee: L. Corbett Assistants: Abdul Kadir and Shaun Barry

Attendance: 654