By Roger Vincent

Dhesi Destroys Despondent Knowle

A goal down at half-time to a 13th minute strike from a strong, fast Knowle side Brakes were lucky that it wasn't four or five. But in the second half they stuck to their task, won the midfield battle, and equalised through Mort in the 65th. With both teams looking capable of snatching a winner the game, played in the heat of a high-summer's day, went into extra time. In the 103rd minute Harj Dhesi, who had been magnificent in defence throughout, strolled upfield to strike a Beckham-type free-kick for the winner.

Knowle were losing finalist in this competition last year and missed a promotion position on goal difference, though lack of lights means that they wouldn't have gone up. They are a big, fit side, probably the best side that Brakes have played so far, and are in the chasing pack in the current league.

Brakes were on top for the first 10 minutes but that early pressure probably led to the first goal when, with Brakes on the attack, a mistake by Eden gave the ball to a Knowle player who transferred it upfield for a breakaway goal in the 13th minute with most of the players in the Knowle half, 0-1. But that seemed to encourage Knowle who largely dominated the rest of the half with Brakes seeming lethargic and resorting to high balls up the middle into the jaws of a big defence. Morris made some important saves and Knowle were guilty of some bad misses. At the break, with signs that Brakes were starting to reassert their control of the midfield, there was relief that the margin was not bigger.

A marked improvement in the second half saw Brakes starting to pass the ball and both Thompson and Shearsby went close before Brakes equalised in the 65th. After good play by Eden on the left earned a free-kick Mort forced a corner which was taken quickly and short. A cross by Thompson on the right found the head of Mort who, powerfully, headed home, 1-1.

Now the game opened up and play swung from end to end as both teams sought the winner. Dhesi was playing superbly at the back, reading the game and controlling the defensive play as well as showing good control and distribution on the ball. Miyoba was starting to make surging runs up the right to match those of Thompson on the left and Blake's unselfish running was winning the ball from a fumbling defence and giving Knowle problems. For the last 20 minutes Brakes were well on top but Morris still had to make important saves. As the 90 minutes ended Knowle were beginning to look rattled and became more physical. More than once they scythed down Thompson and easily snuffed out any threat from a ineffective and unfit-looking Eden.

Extra time started at a furious pace. Within eight minutes Blake had put through Thompson who was brought down, again, and also earned a corner through his hard, direct running, but at the other end Knowle were just wide and then saw a shot cleared off the line. Billington came on for Timms in the 101st minute for Brakes first substitute of the afternoon, an astute move as others started to wilt in the still-hot sun. Then in the 103rd minute Brakes were awarded a free kick when Eden was unceremoniously bundled off the ball 35 yards out. Dhesi and Payne lined up behind the ball but it was Dhesi who curled a beautiful shot around the wall and well clear of the goalkeeper into the corner of the net, 2-1.

Soon after the start of the second period of extra time Brakes brought on Jonny Burgess for Mort and Perry for Shearsby and were showing the greater strength and purpose in the final stages. It was noticeable that Knowle's heads went down as they mentally conceded the game when they appeared to have lost the battle in the first half of normal time, in marked contrast to the battling display from Brakes . There was just time for Thompson to be denied when a fierce shot was turned behind but, as the last seconds ticked away, Knowle also went close when a forward broke clear but screwed his shot wide from in front of goal.

Leamington Richard Morris; Benson Miyoba; Harji Dhesi; Liam McGovern; Will Payne captain; Barry Shearsby (Neale Perry 112m); Darren Timms (Ian Billington 107m); Nick Mort (Jon Burgess 108m); Josh Blake; Paul Eden; Steve Thompson

Other President's Cup results:

Round 1
  Old Hill Town 3 Polesworth North Warwick 4
  Wilmcote S&S 4 Kenilworth Town 0
  Northfield Town 1 Thimblemill REC 2
  Leamington (Bye)

Round 2
  Dudley Sports 1 Mile Oak Rovers 4
  Fairfield Villa 2 Cadbury Athletic 0
  Thimblemill REC 6 Blackheath Invensys 3
  Wilmcote S&S 2 Loughborough Athletic 1
  Brownhills Town 1 v Handsaker 4 (Sat. 20 Oct.)
  Burntwood Town 0 v Holly Lane 4 (Sat. 27 Oct.)
  Polesworth North Warwick 1 v Rugby Town 3 (Sat. 3 Nov.)