By Roger Vincent

Fun in the Sun

The fun started early at the NWG with a bouncy castle, a fire engine and 2 penalty competitions: The Board 5 FOLFC 4 and a mascots' knock out won by Chris Camm-Barnes. The Youth team goalie performed heroics on both occasions but allowed himself to be intimidated by the Board's Terry Ford who scored 2 suspect goals without which FOLFC would have won easily! Never underestimate the power of the scribe.

A sun-drenched crowd of 660 saw Brakes play some of their best football for a long time with Bagar, outstanding throughout, a delight to watch with his close control and clever flicks. On 10 minutes he crashed the ball against the bar. Brakes looked in control and took the lead in the 13th minute after Billo was flattened in the box. Brooking no argument Brakes' 'keeper Beefie O'Keeffe took the kick giving his opposite number no chance.

Thommo shot just wide within minutes and Bagar hit the woodwork a second time on 17 with a low drive against the post after a superb Jonny Burgess cross. Si Wickson and Josh Blake both went close just before half-time. The Warwick Girls Marching Band provided half-time entertainment for an appreciative crowd with lots of obvious talent up front and no knobbly knees.

Almost from the restart Brakes went 2 ahead with another penalty, this time crashed in by Steve Thompson after Josh was felled in the box. Josh had threatened several times without reward. Darren Timms and Baz Shearsby came on in 50 for Si Wickson and Johnny B then Shearsby, Webb and McGovern all went close in a period of sustained pressure before Josh thumped the ball in the net from a throw-in on 66 to make it 3-0.

Adam Ball came on for Liam to complete the substitutions and Brakes totally dominated the rest of the game. A beautiful move on 78 culminated in a Webb header (4-0), a Webb drive was just kept out for Shearsby to tap in on 81 (5-0) and Josh skipped round the 'keeper in the 84th to make it 6. Thommo also went close with a piledriver that skimmed the bar. A late consolation from Barnt Green made it 6-1.

For the second time in 8 days the champagne flowed with both teams staying on the pitch for a series of presentations, ex-Coventry player and Welsh International Dave Phillips doing the honours. Mascot Chris Camm-Barnes received a trophy as penalty King and, in a clean sweep, Brian Agar won both the fans' player of the year award and the players own choice as their player of the season. Mick Brady received the fans' award as "Clubman of the Year" to huge, popular acclaim. Finally the champions cup was presented by the Midland Combination. I was glad to see no trophy presentation to the Board for their suspect win over FOLFC; be sure your sins will find you out - hah!

The crowd, gorged on ice-creams, beer and free pies provided by Shires, drifted away very slowly from an arena that has fulfilled many, seemingly impossible dreams this season. The cup will be on display in Wiglesworth's Euston Square window, the pitch will be worked on to improve drainage and we'll expect to see you all again for the first match in 2001-02 on 18 August and any friendlies before that - watch this space.

Leamington Paul O'Keeffe; Jon Burgess (Barry Shearsby 47m); Will Payne; Liam McGovern (Adam Ball 70m); Stuart Hepburn; Simon Wickson (Darren Timms 47m); Glen Webb; Ian Billington; Josh Blake; Brian Agar (captain); Steve Thompson