Weledji earns a point for below-par Boro at Brackley
Not one of Boro’s best performances, as Jono Greening’s side struggled to create chances, but Kieran Weledji’s’ second-half equaliser secured them a 1-1 draw at Brackley Town on a sunny afternoon in Northamptonshire, both goals coming from set-pieces.
Brackley were on top for much of the first half, but Boro defended well, apart from conceding a poor goal direct from a corner.
Early home attacks saw Ryan Whitley parry a left-foot shot from Fin Roberts, Tahvon Campbell fired into the arms of Whitley, Kian Yearn blazed wide, and both Will Thornton and Jake Hull won some towering headers at the back.
In Boro forays, Thornton headed over from a Jack Waldron free kick, a Weledji shot was blocked by Ewan Williams and Rio Allan forced a good diving save from Brackley keeper Harrison Rhone, Boro’s best effort of the game.
The deadlock was broken on 27 minutes when home skipper Charlie Cooper scored direct from a left-wing corner that somehow sneaked into the net through a crowded goalmouth.
Boro reacted quickly, Thornton glanced a header wide from a Luca Colville free-kick and a half-volley from Allan was blocked by Josh Tomlinson.
Brackley then got forward and Alex Brown, on his 150th appearance, blocked a fierce Kieran Morris strike and a Cooper free-kick was flicked goalwards by Tommy Fogarty, but Whitley grabbed the ball.
Just before the interval an Allan strike was held by home keeper Rhone.
It was end-to-end in the second half, but Boro rarely tested keeper Rhone.
For Brackley, a George Harmon shot was blocked by the excellent Hull, Roberts drilled wide, and Campbell, off balance, fired into the chest of Whitley.
Boro drew level when a Colville free-kick from the left was headed across goal by Hull to Weledji, who took a touch, and hooked the ball over the keeper.
Whitley did well to smother a free-kick from Roberts as Brackley tried to restore their lead, then the Boro keeper made a terrific save with his legs, when DJ Sturridge raced through one-on-one.
On 82 minutes a Kieran Coates cross was heading goalwards, but looped up off the head of Boro skipper Thornton and struck the bar, then Whitley saved a Campbell shot.
Mo Fadera showed glimpses of his pace and trickery, and an incisive Boro passing move involving Hull, Dom Tear, Brown and Colville ended when Colville was closed down on the edge of the area.
The last kick of the match almost produced a winner for the hosts, but Morris fired narrowly wide as both teams had to settle for a point.
BRACKLEY - Rhone, Harmon, Cooper (c), Williams (Coates 60), Campbell, Yearn, Tomlinson, Fogarty, Morris, Roberts (Sturridge 73), Ellis (Lissamore 73), unused subs - Worley (GK), Edwards.
BORO - Whitley, Weledji, Brown, Hull, Thornton (c), Purver Hannan, Hall (Maloney 60), Waldron (Duckworth 60), Allan (Tear 73), Fadera, Colville, unused subs - Stuttard, Wiles, Bradshaw.
REFEREE - Brandon Scaife.
GOALS - Charlie Cooper (Brackley 27), Kieran Weledji (Boro 55).
GOAL ATTEMPTS - BRACKLEY 15 (10 on target) BORO 9 (3 on target).
CORNERS - BRACKLEY 6 BORO 5.
OFFSIDES - BRACKLEY 1 BORO 2.
YELLOW CARDS - Tahvon Campbell (Brackley), Luca Colville, Kieran Weledji (Boro).
BORO MAN OF MATCH - Jake Hull.
ATTENDANCE - 845 (120 away).