By Gary Roberts

A Nose, The Ref, His Cards and His Parents

It was siesta time at the New Windmill Ground as Leamington continued, in the words of pop Diva Gabrielle to "Rise" to the occasion and consolidate their position at the top of the table. The tone of the match however, didn't really afford much time for sleep, as any thoughts as to a siesta soon evaporated in the late afternoon sun, and gave way to a game of blood and thunder. Perhaps appropriately, the pop football analogies would soon reflect what was occurring on the (battle)field of play ! (More on this later !)

Brakes eventual success was again due to the sweetfoot of young Josh Blake, who took his season tally to fourteen in seven games, maybe Malvern Athletic, who were the scheduled opponents before the fuel crisis brought a change of team to the New Windmill, didn't fancy being next in JB's firing line - certainly Blake has been firing on all cylinders in these opening months - Brakes fans are hoping that this amazing goals per game ratio continues, and that JB doesn't have his own footballing fuel crisis !

A jovial crowd of 588 were somewhat surprised and not that amused by the referee, Mr Tim Jones, sending off Brakes defender Kevin Ariss for dissent with barely quarter of an hour on the watch, and this led to questions being put to Mr Jones by part of the aforementioned 588 about his parentage, his visits to the opticians and if he used artificial covering for his head - which according to some LFC fans, had nothing in it or on it! On a lighter note, it might be said of this incident that Mr Ariss saw a 'rug' whereas Mr Jones saw a 'rat' !!!! (Sorry Kevin!)

And then, after half an hour of play, Mr Jones was at it again, this time sending off Rugby forward Wayne Spencer for a face to nose confrontation with Brakes keeper Paul O'Keeffe, who received a booking for his protests. As one gentleman to my right was likening second-early-bath-boy Wayne to his namesake 'Frank Spencer', your astonished reporter was certainly considering the possibility of a degree of acting being on show in this lovely Warwickshire setting. Brakes and Rugby may be in the same county, but surely there was no need to take the first syllable of the county name as being the reason for this meeting! With there being no supporters from the town of Rugby apparently in attendance, or at least none who felt the need to shout-up, Mr Jones was asked no personal questions from the sidelines this time around!

Back to our beautiful game though, and mention has to be made of an excellent save from Rugby's Cook by O'Keeffe, just after Brakes had been reduced to ten men; O'Keeffe is certainly proving his worth between the sticks so far this season. Brakes looked more comfortable with a ten-a-side game, and it showed three minutes prior to the half-time interval when Simon Wickson ran on to a lovely weighted ball from Brian Agar to slot home and break the deadlock.

Live-wire Blake had gone close on a few occasions in the first half, only to be disappointed by the good form of Rugby keeper Rose, however he was eventually Blaked when he could only stand and wilt just before the hour mark as 'Blake of the Brakes' inevitably doubled the home side's lead after some neat work and a low cross from the impressive Wickson.

Rugby fought on well, and pulled one back with a swerving effort from outside the area from Ian Pearce, but never really looked like salvaging a share of the spoils. Brakes' hard work had certainly won this battle, but the final mention must go to the aforementioned happy spectators, some of whom came up with the legendary new chant, to the tune of Son of my Father (was this a subtle Mr Jones reference again?) which went "...Oh Leamy, Leamy...Leamy, Leamy, Leamy - out of Motorhead..." Well - I suppose that the tone of the game was more Motorhead than Gabrielle after all?

Leamington Paul O'Keeffe; Tim Romback; Simon Gulliver; Will Payne; Kevin Ariss (sent off 8m); Adam Ball; Barry Shearsby; Liam McGovern (Ian Billington 34m); Josh Blake; Brian Agar, Simon Wickson (Jon Burgess)
Unused sub: Richard Morey