Tomlinson own goal condemns Brackley Town to gloomy Radcliffe defeat
Josh Tomlinson’s own goal was the difference as Brackley Town suffered a miserable 1-0 defeat to Radcliffe on a soggy Saturday afternoon at St James Park.
The Saints were made to rue a defensive slip-up and several missed first-half opportunities as Radcliffe earned a third straight National League North victory under new manager Grant Shenton.
Brackley started the game brilliantly and Fin Roberts really should have capitalised in the 18th minute, instead denied at point-blank range by Tom Donaghy.
Kieran Coates’ vicious low cross - after a wonderful forward pick-out from Charlie Cooper - was on a plate for Roberts, however his effort was aimed straight at the away goalkeeper.
Jack Lorentzen-Jones was the next to go close for the Saints as he worked space on the edge of the area and whipped a fierce strike towards the far top corner that was tipped behind the post.
But Radcliffe, against the run of play, scored what turned out to be the winner on the half-hour mark as captain Jordan Hulmes’ driven effort wrong-footed Tomlinson and it took a wicked deflection off his leg.
Albeit not helped by the relentless rain and the brutal blustery conditions at St James, Brackley hardly laid a glove on Radcliffe from that point on.
There was a half-chance for left wing-back Byron Pendleton in behind before half time that was skewed wide, while captain Charlie Cooper’s powerful 20-yard free-kick after the break narrowly missed the far top corner.
If anything, and despite having less possession during a scrappy final 45 minutes, it was Radcliffe that looked more likely to score the next goal.
Boro forward Tyler James squandered the best opportunity to double the visitors’ lead, striking the outside of the post after last-man Brackley defender Tomlinson slipped.
Right-back Josh Seary then went close to scoring a wonder goal for Radcliffe but the right-back’s venomous 30-yard strike narrowly missed the target.
With the pitch getting soggier and soggier as the game went on, Radcliffe were able to sit in and absorb the pressure, holding on for the three points.
Brackley, frustrated and ultimately lacking quality in the final third, drop to 20th and just two points above the relegation zone.