By Nathan Jessup

"...It's Just Like Watching Brazil!!!!!!.."

Brakes' second game back saw the visit of Earlswood Town, and an incredible 563 spectators were there to witness an eventful evening game. It took Josh Blake, the two goal hero from the season's opening day, just three minutes to put his side ahead when he scrambled the ball over the line as an assortment of studs, legs and bodies attempted to influence the direction of the aforementioned spherical object. Earlswood, who had beaten our local neighbours Kenilworth Wardens 5-0 on the opening Saturday, were reeling again when an excellent passing move resulted in Brakes' second goal. Good work on both wings finally resulted in a pinpoint cross from Kevin Ariss, which was converted with Swiss-watch style timing by Ian Billington.

During this period of Leamington pressure, the home side were indeed playing some wonderful football, and this brought the somewhat ironic comment from a Brakes' supporter standing a few yards from me that "...it's just like watching Brazil..." The vague similarity of the Brakes shirt to that of the Brazil yellow top was there as the basis of this highly amusing analogy. Despite being a little overstated - Leamington FC were a few light years from, say, the total-football side of Brazil, circa 1970 on this particular August evening - this Brazilian comparison served as adequate touchline commentary, in that Brakes' play was certainly generating on a footballing level, a lot of pleasure and appreciation.

Strikers Josh and Billo were working well together whilst the midfield trio were pulling the strings. Kevin "Rugrat" Ariss, at right wing back, was full of energy and enthusiasm, providing some searching crosses as well as assisting in defence. The home crowd were in a joyous mood and a rousing welcome was given to one particular latecomer. This was one of the linesmen (Or should that be referee's assistant?) whose delayed arrival was greeted with much amusement and ironic cheers.

As with the previous game, when also two up, Brakes seemed to ease off and it was no surprise when the visitors pulled one back. Earlswood were enjoying a good spell at this point and the loss of defender Liam McGovern, with hamstring trouble, late in the first half, did not help matters for the home side, who must have been glad to go off for the half time interval.

A recharged home side took control again early in the second period. After ten minutes of intense pressure, they added that vital cushion-giving third goal, thanks to Josh Blake's predatory instincts in the six-yard box. Often when a side has a speedy striker, the temptation is there to continually lump the ball upfield for him to chase. Although this tactic was used at times, it was used sparingly and credit must go to the management and players, who appear to favour a passing game, using wide men Ariss and Tim Romback to good effect.

As the evening light began to fade, the referee blew for full time, thus signalling the finale of another fine, encouraging performance by this new Brakes side. Three-one then and Town and Out were Earlswood. Hopefully, the success on the field will continue. However, with success comes problems, especially for the exiting spectators who for the second match in a row had to endure the extra-time period that it took to progress from the car park to Harbury Lane.

Still, it gave us additional moments, before finally driving away, to reflect on the evenings very satisfying entertainment. Exhilarating footy to savour certainly makes one wax lyrical. Not quite "...like watching Brazil..." just yet, but this new team are certainly heading in the right direction. After twelve years away, the more apt comment would be that we just "...like watching Brakes..."

Leamington Paul O'Keeffe; Kevin Ariss; Tim Romback; Adam Ball; Liam McGovern (Jonny Burgess 43m); Will Payne; Nick Mort (booked); Ian Billington (Brian Agar 55m); Josh Blake; Mark Simmonds (Robin Morey 75m); Simon Wickson.