Saints hit Rushall for six to record a third successive win and close the gap at the top of National League North. Conceding early Brackley hit back with first half goals from Matt Lowe, Scott Pollock and Connor Hall with Shane Byrne, Miracle Okafor and Tyler Lyttle adding to the score after the break.

“The lads were professional tonight and carried out our game strategy brilliantly,” Gavin Cowan said. “We went behind and mentally had to be strong. There was plenty of energy out there and some ruthless finishing.” Connor Hall was close to opening the scoring on 10 minutes put through on goal but Paul White saved well before Rushall went ahead, an exquisite finish from Austin Samuels finding the bottom corner on 11 minutes.

Morgan Roberts’ run and shot was close to levelling before Matt Lowe’s close range header from Shane Byrne’s perfectly weighted cross equalised on 17 minutes. Scott Pollock put Saints in front on 38 minutes, linking with Hall Pollock collected the pass, made ground and finished clinically past White. Hall himself doubled the lead two minutes before half-time as a defensive error gifted the ball to Lowe who unselfishly found Hall who netted for his 15th goal of the league season.

Minutes intro the second half The Pics conceded a penalty for hand-ball, Byrne despatching his penalty kick to dim any hopes the visitors had of a come-back. Justin Donawa’s mazy run and shot beat White but found only the woodwork, substitute Miracle Okafor’s header was deflected over and Danny Newton announced his entry from the bench with a header that White did well to tip over in spectacular fashion.
Okafor’s shot had White unsighted as the striker netted his third Saints goal on 80 minutes before Tyler Lyttle finished a well worked move set up by Okafor and Tommy O’Sullivan for his first of the season on 84 minutes.

“With the full squad finally available again and key players getting minutes there is real competition for places and it is for players to stake their claim for a starting place when their chance comes,” Cowan continued. “The pressure is on me now and it’s a big selection headache for me for the next game.”

Brackley Town: Maxted, Donawa (Lyttle 78), Lilly, Dean, Hall (Newton 73), Pollock (Okafor 63), Carline, Calder, Byrne, Roberts (Bates 56), Lowe (O’Sullivan 63). Subs unused: n/a.

Rushall Olympic: White, Green, Bood (Lalkovic 85), Thomas, Hull (McAlinden 64), Cameron, Samuels, King, McGlinchey (Sterling-James 73), Forde (Barkers 64), Martin. Subs unused: Mantom.

Referee: Jake Allsopp Assistants: Ryan Price and Edgar Brown 4th Official: Sam Wesson
Attendance: 593

PIC by Pete Keen