By Peter Davis

Top of the Town

A breathtaking display of attacking football in both halves gave Leamington a comfortable win in front of a large travelling support that swelled the takings at Hampton Road. Leamington Hibernian, based at Racing Club Warwick's Hampton Road ground, showed early promise but found the fast attacking power of Simmonds and Blake and surging runs of Mort just too much to handle. Hibs' results had been somewhat bizarre leading up to this, 0-7, 6-3, 5-0 so a scoreline involving 5 goals wasn't a surprise.

Leamington made it 9 points out of a possible 12, that 1-2 result now being just a bad day at the office. Captain Mark Simmonds pounced after the Hibs keeper denied Brian Agar. It was soon to be 2-0 when Agar volleyed a cracking goal at a difficult angle from close range. Leamington were purring along and the defence was soaking up any attacks from the men in the green and white. There were some problems and it should have been 2-1 when Hibs shaved a post just before the break. Leamington repeated this when Blake whacked a shot also against the upright. But the Leamington attacks died down as Hibs started to put their offside play into greater effectiveness and Blake was the often too frequent victim of this ploy.

The half time brought some respite for Hibs and they responded to the deficit by attacking in numbers and forcing a penalty when 'keeper Paul O'Keeffe up-ended the advancing Hibs attacker Sleem. De Costa fired in the spot kick and the game looked poised to run close at 2-1. However from that moment Leamington started to impose themselves more and restricted Hibs to half chances. It was then that Blake restored the two-goal advantage by touching in a cross in a quite messy goal. But at 3-1 which Leamington supporter could argue about that.

After a spell of more missed chances Josh Blake whacked in a 25yard strike to end matters and only some last ditch defending stopped any further goals. Blake was soon withdrawn as his earlier booking and at times youthful arrogance may have earned him a red card. A sensible move from the management team. Hibs played well in patches but Leamington were the more consistent throughout. A great finish to a brilliant first month back playing senior football. Well done lads.

Leamington Paul O'Keffee; Kevin Ariss; Adam Ball; Liam McGovern; Will Payne; Simon Wickson (Tim Romback 70m); Jon Burgess; Nick Mort; Josh Blake (booked - Simon Gulliver); Mark Simmonds, Brian Agar (Barry Shearsby 58m)