By Roger Vincent

Sniffer Hat-Trick Snuffs Mile Oak Threat as Brakes Keep Noses in Front

Brakes conceded a soft goal in the 14th but came back with two goals on 28 and 41 minutes from home debutant Paul "Sniffer" Eden to lead 2-1 at the break. With the defence looking increasingly unsure, and Morris playing with a dislocated finger, Brakes were fortunate to get a third on 71 minutes when Eden converted a penalty. Although there were some good performances, including Eden's hat-trick, Mile Oak were unlucky not to get something from a poor Brakes' performance and did well with a defender forced to take over between the sticks early in the second half when their goalkeeper was concussed. Although play was extended considerably in both halves because of a high number of injuries it was played mostly in a good spirit so it was against that trend that Guy Rippon received a red along with a Mile Oak player.

Sparkling, hot sunshine after torrential rain in the morning tempted 506 people to the New Windmill who welcomed Paul "Sniffer" Eden on his home debut. He was soon in action as Brakes applied early pressure with Webb shooting over from 30 yards and Eden heading onto the top of the crossbar. In the 11th minute Blake, whose running was panicking the Mile Oak defence, robbed the goalie and Miyoba hit the post as the ball broke clear.

But Mile Oak were looking dangerous on the break and on 14 minutes went ahead after a free header with Brakes' defence, once again, in disarray, 0-1. Brakes' goalie, Morris, was struggling and had a dislocated finger straightened at half-time though it remained stiff and sore and may have contributed to defensive uncertainties. Fortunately Thompson was playing his heart out on the left and, with Eden and Webb battling and Blake running at the Mile Oak defence, Brakes defence was not under too much pressure. Then, in the 28th minute, Blake's running again unsettled the Mile Oak goalie who had run out to meet the challenge when the ball broke loose to Eden who guided the ball into the unguarded net for his first Brakes' goal, 1-1.

Brakes were not playing well, relying heavily on the punt upfield for Blake and set pieces from Thompson and Webb throw-ins. They also seemed to be second to every 50/50 ball. But Mile Oak were mistake-prone and not pressing any advantage so it was not too much of a surprise when Brakes scored again on 41 when the hard-working Mort crossed magnificently for Eden to turn and drive home, 2-1. Brakes pressed for the rest of the half (about 10 minutes as there was a lot of injury time) and the ball ping-ponged around the packed, Mile Oak defence with Blake having 3 efforts blocked or charged down. Just on the break Mile Oak sounded a warning signal as they broke clear and nearly equalised.

Brakes continued to press in the second half but seemed incapable of keeping any goal-effort under the level of the top of the stand. Again most of the threat came from the left and Blake's speed and it was after one Blake run when the goalie just grabbed the ball in time but knocked his head and had to leave the field with concussion. Brakes failed to put the outfield player, who took over, under pressure until yet another surging run from Thompson on the left saw him brought down on the edge of the box and Eden blast the penalty into the right corner on 71 minutes for his hat-trick, 3-1.

Soon after, with Mile Oak waiting to take a corner, an undignified tussle saw Guy Rippon and Mile Oak's no. 9 sent off; it's difficult to ascertain what happened because I wasn't looking, but I believe that Brakes' management view is that Guy was attempting to restrain their no. 9 and that they will appeal. Despite many stoppages the game had been played in a friendly spirit and the incident seemed out of character for both sides. Soon after Morris saved well to stop Mile Oak getting back in the game.

Daz Timms came on for Mort on 77 and Brakes started to impose themselves with Blake and Miyoba going close and a Shearsby shot charged down. In the 86th Billington came on for Miyoba and on 88 Perry replaced Eden as Brakes tried to ensure there were no late errors. With so many stoppages there was still time for Thompson to drive just over and a Blake header to hit the post with Shearsby screwing the rebound wide. But another goal would have been unkind to a battling Mile Oak. As it was, Brakes 3-1 win was the best in the division which saw five 2-1 or 1-2 scorelines and a 0-0 draw.

Footnotes: Liam McGovern's suspension is 1 week; he misses 1 game on 6 Oct. at Old Hill
Stuart Hepburn signs; Stuart, out with long-term injury, looks to return "in a few weeks" having had keyhole surgery
New signing for Seniors is 19 year old Johnny Fitsiou (now you know as much as me)
Youth striker Louis Atkinson, who has played for the seniors, has left to join RC Warwick
A letter was sent to the club by Dudley Sports thanking all the supporters who went and made it such an occasion by their good humour and behaviour; we can "come again any time"; thank you Dudley.

Leamington Richard Morris; Benson Miyoba (Ian Billington 86m); Will Payne (captain); Liam McGovern; Guy Rippon; Barry Shearsby; Nick Mort (Darren Timms 77m); Glen Webb; Josh Blake; Paul Eden (Neale Perry 88m); Steve Thompson