By Roger Vincent

Sheep Bleat Appreciation in the Noon-Day Sun

The fag-end of a bizarre season and 2 events neatly crystallised the forces that have had so much effect over the last 10 months. In a season when so many matches were postponed because of a waterlogged pitch, and some because of foot and mouth disease, we were actually watering the goalmouth as the teams warmed up watched by the returned sheep in the next field. Cracks had appeared in the clay surface and, with the temperature in the higher 20s and the sun beating down in the noon day sun, some action was necessary. In the 2nd half I slowly became aware of a continual bleating from the North Bank end. This proved to be not suffering fans but the sheep welcoming feeding time as a tractor buzzed around them delivering goodies.

Normally we'd have missed this 1:30 event but with it being cup-final day we kicked off at the strange time of 12:00 so, in the circumstances, a crowd of 442 for Brakes' 4th game in 8 days was good.

After an early let-off when a defensive mistake nearly gifted a goal to high-riding Droitwich the game settled down with Brakes on top. Both team captains tried to stir their players into some sort of commitment on a day more suited to a siesta in the sun with a pint in hand. Brian Agar hit the bar from a Webb throw in the 17th and in the 32nd, after a surging run from Adam Ball, Webb stroked the ball in the corner of the net

Some early pressure from Droitwich in the 2nd half saw them shake the woodwork but Brakes gradually got the upper hand again and, with all 3 substitutes on providing some fresh impetus, an interchange between Bagar and Billo in the box saw Billo flattened in the 80th. Daz Timms crashed home an unstoppable penalty.

Sustained pressure from Brakes in the last 10 minutes resulted in several good saves and some desperate Droitwich defending to keep us out. A brief foray up the other end saw some rare action from Richard Morris with a superb tip over the bar. I suspect that Brakes were glad to hear the final whistle after a gruelling 4 matches in 8 days and this one in unremitting, hot sun.

With promotion already ensured Brakes now need just 3 points from their remaining 4 games to ensure that they are champions, and if Rugby Town lose to much improved Leamington Hibernian in a later kick off today they are there already.

Leamington Richard Morris; Jon Burgess (Ian Billington 69m); Will Payne; Kevin Ariss; Adam Ball (Barry Shearsby 63m); Darren Timms; Stuart Hepburn; Simon Wickson (Guy Rippon 83m); Glen Webb; Brian Agar (captain); Steve Thompson