AFC Telford's Andre Brown backed to recover from penalty miss
AFC Telford United chief Gavin Cowan has heaped praise on striker Andre Brown and backed him not to dwell on his penalty miss at Leamington.
Brown’s side-footed spot-kick was saved by Tony Breeden in Monday’s 2-2 draw.
He did find the net with a deft header before that with what was his second strike of the campaign – the first being from 12 yards at Guiseley.
“He took his header unbelievably well and he was outstanding all game,” said Cowan.
“He caused a lot of problems, him and Daniel Udoh were an absolute nuisance. He was full of running, desire, causing all sort of problems.
“His ability is second to none. If we get him scoring like he did on Monday, get him confident, he’s going to be in a good place.
“I’m happy with Andre’s performance other than, obviously, the penalty.”
Brown joined the Bucks in the summer after turning down fresh terms at National League North rivals Kidderminster Harriers, where he chipped in with 10 goals season despite mainly being as a substitute.
The 22-year-old had a trial at Premier League side Leicester City last year as well and was on the books of Crewe Alexandra as a youngster.
Cowan insists he will not at all be fazed from missing one penalty – it is part and parcel of the game for a centre forward.
“He’s a really mentally strong lad, I communicate with him quite a lot,” he said.
“It’s a penalty. These things happen and it’s just one thing out of the whole game.
“It’s a critical moment but, on the whole, his header was different class and his overall play was really, really good so I’m happy.”
Brown is one of two Telford players to have scored more than once so far in the first seven games. The other is five-goal Udoh.
Meanwhile, Cowan is refusing to look too far ahead in terms of what Telford could achieve this campaign.
He believes anything above last term’s 14th-placed finished under Rob Edwards, who is now back at Wolves as the boss of their under-23s, would have to be considered a success.
“If we can improve on last year, 14th and above, we’ll be happy,” added Cowan.
“Everything in the club hasn’t changed, in terms of budget and things like that.”
