By Roger Vincent

Blake and Miyoba Braces Do For Dudley

With Blake back from suspension and Paul "Sniffer" Eden marking his debut with a superbly, cultured display Brakes always seemed the team most likely. But with the defence uncharacteristically suspect a good Dudley side always looked like scoring as well. An early Blake goal was cancelled out after defensive lapses but Brakes restored their lead before half-time and went 3-1 up on the hour through Miyoba's 2 goals. Dudley broke back to level pegging before 2 more Brakes goals from Mort, and Blake with his second, put the seal on a good performance before 100 fans.

New "boy" Paul "Sniffer" Eden led the team out at Dudley Sports' Brierley Hill ground on a dry, warm day with autumnal leaves already falling on the rough, uneven pitch. Within 9 minutes he had made his mark with a superb ball to Thompson who crossed for Blake, returning from suspension, to knock the ball in the net, 0-1. Eden was showing superb touches (just like Bagar as more than one fan was heard to say) and combining well with Thompson on the left. Brakes continued to press with Webb hitting a 30 yard screamer just over and both Miyoba and Blake having shots blocked or charged down. Thompson on the left, and Miyoba on the right were getting down the wings and crossing dangerously while the long throw-ins, from Thompson in particular, were always a threat.

And yet Dudley looked dangerous on the break and Brakes' defence looked suspect with nobody, seemingly, pulling them together. In the 33rd minute Dudley broke down the right and rounded 2 Brakes' defenders with ease to slot home the equaliser past the returning Morris, 1-1. But, 10 minutes later on 43 minutes, Brakes restored the lead when yet another Thompson long throw saw Miyoba place a superb header after a deft flick from Eden, 1-2.

Baz Shearsby came on for Simon Wickson, "slight pull, nothing serious", at the start of the second half. Within minutes Eden was clean through and rounded the goalie to see the ball hacked away for a corner by the desperate Dudley defence. Webb was making surging runs and showing his strength, several times retrieving the ball from "impossible" situations. It was no surprise when Brakes went further ahead on 61 minutes as Eden turned 2 players and slipped the ball to Shearsby with one of his trademark, measured passes. Shearsby crossed for Miyoba to slot the ball in the corner for his second, 1-3.

With Brakes looking like scoring more in what was a fast, exciting game a sleeping defence conceded a goal when Dudley scored in the 63rd after a header in front of goal from a simple cross, 2-3. A Shearsby backward header after another Thompson long throw nearly restored the advantage and Mort and Eden combined to release Miyoba who shot wide. With the defence continuing to look vulnerable, Webb, who was battling magnificently all over the pitch, was harshly adjudged to have fouled a Dudley player in the box on 70. Morris got a hand to the penalty but couldn't stop the equaliser, 3-3.

This was rip-roaring stuff for any neutral; the trouble was that there were no neutrals, only Brakes' fans who now redoubled their efforts to get behind the team. They were rewarded within 2 minutes in the 72nd when yet another delightful ball from Eden saw Miyoba break down the wing and cross for Mort to slot home, 3-4. With the Dudley defence looking even more panicky than Brakes' defence Blake, Shearsby and Miyoba (twice) went close before Brakes restored the 2-goal comfort zone in the 87th after good work from Mort and Eden saw Blake run clear, round the goalie and just find time to stroke the ball in the net before falling into the arms of an adoring crowd, 3-5. With Brakes now well on top there was still time for Mort, Miyoba and Webb to threaten to add to the score.

Footnotes: Liam McGovern's suspension will probably be only 1 week (2 yellows rather than a direct sending-off) and he will probably miss 1 game, not sure when but probably within a week or 2. Simon Wickson's injury is not serious though he may have to miss next Saturday's home game. Brian Agar and Harj Dhesi look to be available again soon.

Leamington Richard Morris; Benson Miyoba; Will Payne (captain); Liam McGovern; Guy Rippon; Simon Wickson (Barry Shearsby 46m); Nick Mort; Glen Webb; Josh Blake; Paul Eden; Steve Thompson
Unused subs: Mark Simmonds, Ian Billington.