Brakes Shine at Rip-off Rugby

Brakes were unlucky to lose at Rugby United, three divisions above them in the Doc Martens, going down to 2 goals in the first half and denied a reply in the second half by a dubious offside decision. With strong, vocal encouragement from their many fans a goal then could well have led to an equaliser. Although Brakes' supporters easily outnumbered United's fans in a large crowd there would have been many more if about 60 hadn't gone home before kick-off in disgust at the gate charge of £5 (£4 for children) PLUS £1:50 for a programme, the same as for a previous friendly against Coventry City.

Brakes got off to a brisk start and seemed to surprise Rugby who were on the back foot as Josh went close and Simon Wickson and Rugrat showed well. With Brakes continuing to press they went a goal down in the 20th minute from Rugby's first real attack, a superb run down the left, the ball whipped across and hammered home. 5 minutes later Brakes went 2 down from a similar fast break, this time down the right. These goals typified so many of those conceded by Brakes to the better teams played in the friendlies.

Brakes approach play continued to impress but time and again they came up against four, solid, Rugby defenders, strung like tanks across the route to goal. Webbie was playing out of his skin, time and again running at the defence, probing and prompting, and more than once catching a defender in possession with his speed. He seemed to have got his reward when he drove the ball home in the 80th but offside was given.

There were promising first appearances for Mattie Talbot and Andy Dicks and good, strong performances from the defence and several "old" hands. Playing clubs from higher divisions seems to be improving Brakes skills and sharpening their match fitness. It would be nice to see a few goals but I'm sure that these will come against Division 1 defences.