Report by Alex Gilder.
Old Bradwell maintained their unbeaten record as they beat a spirited Grendon Rangers side 1-0, as they are proving to be the team to beat in the Spartan South Midlands Division Two.
Bradwell had the early chances and started the better team as Toby Craig found himself through on goal but was halted by a good recovering challenge by Charlie West. Grendon were trying to get a foothold in the game, as Luke Tavener dinked a cheeky ball over the Bradwell backline but Joe Walls could not capitalise as the keeper made a routine save. However the visitors had been the dominant team in the first fifteen minutes looking dangerous and creating chances.
Charlie West was running down the line like a steam train, but his touch got the better of him as he flew into a challenge with Bradwell full back Aaron Bhasin, for which the Bradwell faithful were demanding a red card. Only a yellow was shown, and from the resulting free kick David Keene’s side nearly made the opportunity count as Toby Craig, the Bradwell danger man, crossed in the ball, which found the head of Danny Rooney, but could only find the gloves of James Cox.
Straight after the Cox save, Craig made a nuisance of himself as he created a chance for himself but he could only blaze it over the bar. He was proving hard to handle for the Rangers backline as he had another chance, but this time Grendon dealt with it. The yellows went up the other end, as Walls whipped a wicked ball into Dean Garrard but he could not stretch enough to get on the end of the cross. Grendon needed to capitalise on these chances as they were proving to be few a far between.
Bradwell made it 1-0 on the stroke of half time, as a ball in by Dan Smith was finished by Danny Rooney. Grendon failed to clear their lines as the visitors go in the happier at the break with the momentum now well and truly with them. HT 1-0.
Steven Jackman’s men started the second half brightly as a mix up between the Milton Keynes sides defender and goalkeeper allowed Dean Garrard through on goal, but he was denied by a spectacular last ditched challenge by the recovering Bradwell defender. Should have been 1-1 and an opportunity for Grendon to get back in the game.
Luke Tavener found himself with space on the flank as he floated a ball in, but Jason Riddell could not equal the score. Grendon came out the better team with them having a real go. Jackman must have given a cracking team talk. The black and whites of Bradwell wrestled some momentum back as Danny Rooney turned and shot in the box but it rocketed wide amid penalty shouts by the Bradwell faithful for handball.
David Keene’s team were now having the better of the chances as Jacob Wren delivered the ball which fell to the feet of Dale Collins who could only drag his shot wide of the goal. Bradwell were now well and truly on top again as Collins had another chance to make it 2-0 to Old Bradwell but was matched by the save of James Cox.
Substitute Mohammed Adam made an instant impact coming off the bench as he fizzed a cross into a dangerous area but was defended well by Bradwell back line, as they tried to hang on to their slim one goal lead. A couple minutes later, Ben Green made a bursting run beating Charlie West in the process and putting in a wicked cross to Toby Craig who blazed over the bar. A real chance to put the game to bed for the visitors.
In the final stages of the game the Bradwell number fourteen weaved through the yellows backline but could only manage to find the feet of Cox. In the last minute Grendon went for the equaliser as the corner was delivered but Adam could only head wide. The full time whistle sounds as Bradwell edge past their opponents with a 1-0 win.
