Dynamo Power To Victory As Brakes Run On Empty

As a Brakes regular remarked afterwards, it’s a shame that many in this big crowd will not have seen the recent magnificent performances, two away from home, that guaranteed Brakes 5th position and will only know them through this somewhat jaded performance. Brakes only other home defeats in the league, this season, were against the top three finishers but this 63rd competitive game of this season’s campaign, with the 64th at Bescot still to come and nothing riding on this result, was a game too far.

Brakes started brightly enough and controlled the first half. Several chances went begging with the pick of them being Jon Adams 11th minute, 35yd scorcher that was beaten out and nearly fell to Blake. Husband had a golden opportunity in the 16th when McKay cleverly stepped over a Rodman cross from the right leaving him with a chance to convert from in front but it was all just a bit too quick and the ball was scooped over the bar.

Brakes seemed well in control at this stage against some towering Dynamo players and Feely was dropping throw-ins into the box with aplomb. Eden, making a rare start, was showing skilful touches and one of these led directly to a goal when he split the defence releasing Husband down the left.

The ever-dangerous Husband hit a first-time, low shot towards the far corner which the ‘keeper managed to beat out at full length with Blake first to the loose ball to make it 1-0 in the 42nd. Shepherd made an excellent save two minutes later from a point-blank Jarvis shot but Brakes ended the half well in control with Adams, McKay and Rodman peppering the Dynamo goal.

But that more or less marked the end of the total football that Brakes have played in putting together a 10 match unbeaten run in the league. In the 49th minute Dolmann made it 1-1 with the simplest of goals and Breward put Dynamo in the lead at 2-1 in the 59th with a looping header from a corner. True there were still chances for Brakes and Rodman forced a double save with Titterton heading just over between these two goals.

But the Brakes’ players, who hadn’t played so many games perhaps, were now trying to compensate for the tiredness of others by helping out which compressed play and left large areas of the pitch free for the Dynamo runners who now saw their chance. So although Rodman set up Husband for a shot in the 68th that was just saved Dolmann was left unmarked on the left and ran 40yds unchallenged to slip the ball past Shepherd, 1-3.

Brakes continued to stroke the ball around and played some beautiful football in the dying 20 minutes of their league season. Eden chipped the ‘keeper delightfully in the 82nd after a Rodman pass but it was just tipped over. Who knows but a goal then might have sent a surge of energy through tiring minds and legs but it was not to be.

It’s always a shame to finish with a defeat, especially before a big crowd with the sun, occasionally, shining and the wind dropped to well below the NWG normal gale force. But most fans could see the match in the perspective of a truly awesome season and warmly applauded their tired heroes from the pitch.

Brakes now play Coventry City, with Micky Adams picking a team from his first-team squad, next Tuesday, 7:45, at the NWG in a charity friendly. Please car-share if possible and allow time to park. Then all eyes will be on the Bescot stadium for the final story of an unforgettable season when Brakes play Barwell for the league cup.

Leamington: Paul Shepherd; Alex Rodman; Mike Feely; Morton Titterton; Tom Cudworth; Stuart Herlihy (Martin Thompson 69); Jon Adams [Capt]; Paul Eden; Josh Blake (Ryan Howell 56); Jody McKay (David Care 76); James Husband
Subs Not Used: Steve Thompson; Richard Morris

Loughborough Dynamo: Stephen Windegaard; Richard Munday; Ian Gaunt [Capt]; Graham Andrews; Alvin Jarvis (Kirk Master 81); Sean Ridgway (Chris Davies 74); Danny Douglas; Tom Breward; Simon Dolmann; Rob Edmans (Carl Lawrence 50); David Kettle
Subs Not Used: Nathan Jones; Scott Telfer

Attendance: 545

Players' News: Andy Crabtree and Darran Tank will miss the cup final 8 May through injury, Neil Stacey through suspension and Tom Cudworth is cup-tied. Tom Sidwell has a back problem but should be available.

Match photographs»