Battling Brackley bow out of FA Cup as Woolery stunner wins it for Tranmere

Brackley Town failed in their bid to reach the third round of the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s 130-year history on Friday night.
Brackley's Tre Mitford takes on Tranmere defender Peter ClarkeBrackley's Tre Mitford takes on Tranmere defender Peter Clarke
Brackley's Tre Mitford takes on Tranmere defender Peter Clarke

Tranmere Rovers sub Kaiyne Woolery struck the only goal of a closely-fought tie at a near deserted Prenton Park on 66 minutes.

He had only been on the pitch seven minutes when he curled a shot from just inside the left-hand side of the penalty area in off the far post.

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In a game of very few clear chances, Brackley’s best chance had arrived just three minutes before the goal.

Brackley's Ethan Coleman battles for possession with Tranmere's James VaughanBrackley's Ethan Coleman battles for possession with Tranmere's James Vaughan
Brackley's Ethan Coleman battles for possession with Tranmere's James Vaughan

The ball dropped invitingly for midfielder Shep Murombedzi around 10 yards out, but he fired his shot just wide.

Brackley impressed in the match beamed live to the nation on BBC2, more than held their own throughout and restricted their hosts - 57 places above them in the pyramid - to only a few half-chances.

But a failure to test home keeper Scott Davies eventually cost them a shot at making club history.

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Brackley boss Kevin Wilkin selected an attack-minded side for his side’s third ever FA Cup second round tie.

Brackley's James Armson goes past Tranmere midfielder Jay SpearingBrackley's James Armson goes past Tranmere midfielder Jay Spearing
Brackley's James Armson goes past Tranmere midfielder Jay Spearing

Lee Ndlovu and Tre Mitford were up front in a 4-4-2 formation with James Armson - Brackley’s FA Cup hat-trick hero against Gillingham in 2016 - and Matt Lowe offering width.

In goal, Danny Lewis was recalled after recovering from a groin injury, meaning Ali Morby - hero of the first round shoot-out win against Bishop’s Stortford - was on the bench.

Right back Reiss McNally, 20, signed on loan from Solihull Moors, came in for his debut while Brackley were without influential midfielder Glenn Walker, a ‘massive’ loss according to Wilkin.

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Tranmere, with new boss Keith Hill taking charge of his second game, entered the tie on the back of six straight wins - four in League 2, one in the FA Cup and a penalty shoot-out win over Wigan in the EFL Trophy.

Brackley's Shane Byrne squeezes in between Tranmere's Jay Spearing and Paul LewisBrackley's Shane Byrne squeezes in between Tranmere's Jay Spearing and Paul Lewis
Brackley's Shane Byrne squeezes in between Tranmere's Jay Spearing and Paul Lewis

But it was Brackley who looked the livelier side in the opening stages, with Ndlovu forcing the game’s first corner with a deflected shot on seven minutes.

Mitford shot well wide before the same player cut in from the left and fired a left foot shot from the edge of area just wide.

Rovers right back Calum McDonald shot wide from 20 yards before sending over a cross from which James Vaughan launched an overhead kick well over the bar.

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Armson cut in from the left side, trying to work a sight at goal before his shot was blocked as the visitors maintained their good start.

At the other end, Liam Feeney’s close range shot was blocked.

Shep Murombenzi went close for Brackley with a low shot from just outside the area before Lewis was called on to make the first save of the game on 30 minutes - comfortably collecting a Feeney shot.

Tranmere enjoyed the lion’s share of possession as the half progressed, passing it around well on occasions but never really hurting Brackley.

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It took the best part of 15 minutes after the restart for a shot on goal - ex-Everton striker Vaughan swivelling to fire well over.

Rovers boss Hill made a double change on 59 minutes, bringing on Woolery and Paul Lewis.

And it had the desired impact, with Woolery curling home the match-winner shortly after Murombedzi had fired wide from close range.

Kieron Morris saw a 20-yard shot deflected wide before Woolery’s right wing cross was completely missed by Vaughan just six yards out.

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Woolery then saw a shot deflected for a corner as Rovers had little trouble in seeing out the closing stages without major alarm.

Brackley might have failed in their history-making bid, but they did bank £35,000 from having the tie shown live on BBC2 and they picked up £8,500 as second round losers.

MATCH FACTS

Tranmere: S Davies, Ridehalgh, McDonald, Monthe, Clarke, Morris, Spearing, Blackett-Taylor (Lloyd, 81), Vaughan, Khan (P Lewis, 59), Feeney (Woolery, 59).

Brackley: Lewis, McNally, Franklin (Chambers, 76), Coleman (Flowers, 90), Dean, Byrne, Lowe, Murombedzi, Ndlovu, Mitford (York, 70), Armson.