By Roger Vincent

Theatre of the Absurd

Archdale, one of the league's better teams, were clearly up for this one. The difference between them and some of the teams we have played recently was noticeable from the start. Clearly unfazed and, possibly, hyped-up by playing in front of a crowd (451) they talked to each other and ran off the ball to effect playing their part in an open, exciting game played in strong, swirling wind.

Fortunately this also brought better football from Brakes than we have seen for a while and, with our defence once again strong and in command, we went into the interval one up through a Darren Timms goal after a delightful run from Glen Webb ended with a free kick when he was brought down.

With the wind in our favour in the second half, Josh Blake off the bench to use his speed in chasing any ball swirling on the wind towards the North Bank and their goal, and our defence in control things could only get better - and they did.

A guitarist strummed away on the Bank, somebody handed out free tomatoes to the crowd, the sun shone and Darren Timms with his second on 56 minutes, then Josh on 73 minutes waltzing round their 'keeper made it 3-0. The North Bank purred happily, 4-0? 5-0? At least. Shame in a way, for Archdale were a good side, never stopped playing football. But our defence was in total command, so much so that we brought on a few subs - no problem.

In the 77th minute Archdale popped one in from a set piece, 3-1. Pity it wasn't going to be another clean sheet but, OK, they deserved it really - 4-1? 5-1? In the 84th minute another set piece and Archdale popped in another to make it 3-2. The strumming grew slightly more frantic and the North Bank re-examined the script. How could this be? Then, the unthinkable: yet another set piece and, in the 88th minute whilst our defence slept on, Archdale drew level, 3-3. The strummer ceased to strum and the North Bank threw away the script and urged the players to get their lines right in this the final scene.

But, cometh the hour, cometh the man. The 90th minute, a long throw into the box from Thommo. Enter Si Wickson, stage right, soaring salmon-like head and shoulders above the rest of the cast, now mere bit part players in this final drama as a thundering header hit the back of the net.

Wild applause, 3 points, curtain down - phew!

Leamington Paul O'Keeffe; Ian Billington (Jon Burgess 76m); Glenn Webb (Mark Simmonds 75m); Will Payne; Liam McGovern; Stuart Hepburn; Darren Timms; Simon Wickson; Barry Shearsby (Josh Blake 61m); Brian Agar (captain); Steve Thompson