By Roger Vincent

Josh Hat-Trick as Brakes Crush Handsaker

Brakes were always well on top and could have scored double-figures against a side who never tested Brakes' new goalie, Fabrizio Tosti (the Italian Stallion) standing in for the injured Morris. A superb Blake hat-trick with first goals of the season for Shearsby and Dhesi (also his first for the club on his first appearance) flattered Handsaker who were always second best. Benson Miyoba's stunning performance at wing-back gave Brakes the width they have lacked recently but there were many outstanding displays in a Brakes side that, once again, is a joy to watch.

Handsaker finished 4th on points last season, knocked down to 6th by a 3 points deduction, but were never a match for a revitalised Brakes. Ariss was nearly through and Brakes forced several corners before going ahead on 19 minutes when Blake ran onto a through ball and slipped it into the corner past the advancing goalie. A minute later Wickson set off on a 50 yard run crossing for Blake to head just wide.

With Brakes on song so many players were performing well that it seems invidious to single out one, but Benson Miyoba was turning defence into attack on the left, powering down the wing time and again to give Brakes the width they have lacked recently, to pull back crosses into the path of Brakes rampant attack. On 35 A Blake drive was just tipped over and a magnificent 3-man interchange moments later between Blake, Agar and Miyoba ended with Miyoba going close. With so much possession ending with nothing it was a paradox that Brakes second goal seemed to come from nothing with Shearsby latching onto a loose ball and crashing it in the net on the stroke of half time.

The second half started with Handsaker on the rack and clearly opting for damage limitation with a packed defence but on 55 minutes Blake forced home after a goal-mouth scramble to make it 3-0. Neale Perry came on for his debut, replacing Agar, and within a minute, in the 59th, his first touch put Blake clean through and he smashed a glorious shot into the net for his hat-trick and Brakes' 4th.

Harj Dhesi came on for his debut, replacing Si Wickson, in the 67th and Jonny Burgess came on for Liam McGovern in the 70th. A minute later Blake netted again but was given offside. Brakes continued to press with Benson Miyoba, improbably, improving. A 3-man move between Dhesi, Miyoba and Blake in 80 nearly saw a 4th Blake goal with Miyoba unlucky from the rebound. Within a minute Burgess saw a shot tipped over the bar after yet another Miyoba cross.

In the 88th Harj Dhesi was rewarded for his superb control and distribution when he curled the ball into the near corner of the net direct from a corner-kick to make it 5-0. There was still time for Miyoba to hit a screamer inches over.

Leamington Fabrizio Tosti; Kevin Ariss; Benson Miyoba; Will Payne; Liam McGovern (Jon Burgess 70m); Mark Simmonds; Simon Wickson (Harji Dhesi 67m); Josh Blake; Brian Agar (captain - sub Neale Perry 58m); Barry Shearsby