By Roger Vincent

Gusts and Guts Get Brakes Back on Course

A bright, cold day at the aptly named New Windmill, with a strong wind blowing towards the North Bank, saw Brakes sweep into a 1st half lead when Agar slotted home in the 32nd after a Morris goal-kick reached the Dudley goal area. 432 wind-swept fans roared on a side that has stuttered of late and were rewarded with a magnificent Sidwell header in the 53rd, his first in the league, before biting its collective lip as Dudley fought back with a goal in the 63rd and threatened to blow Brakes apart in the last half-hour. Brakes made little headway against the wind, but guts overcame gusts and Brakes were worthy winners over 90 minutes against a good, battling Dudley side to get back on course after a few weeks in the doldrums.

Brakes looked intent on putting last week's defeat behind them and, with a strong wind at their backs, made the early running. Agar and Thompson combined well within 10 minutes to release Shearsby who shot just wide, Care nearly broke through on the quarter hour and Agar was unlucky when the ball bobbled as he was about to shoot. The crowd was in fine form and there was a determination from both sides of the touch-lines somewhat lacking of late.

The wind was clearly going to be a major factor and so it proved in the 32nd minute when a Morris goal-kick was touched by Care and a defender on its way into the opposing box and Agar ran on to slot home, 1-0. In the 37th Brakes were nearly 2 up when Care and Thompson switched roles as Care ran down the left touchline and crossed to see Thompson's diving header tipped over for a corner. Dhesi, hair still the colour of the brillo pads we used to wash saucepans with, stood out like a beacon, mopping up in defence, and Care was winning balls from nothing with his speed and guile. But the half ended with the feeling that 1 goal was not enough playing into the wind for the second 45.

After half-time Harj Dhesi was presented with his trophy as the fans' player of the month for December, the first player to win it twice and deservedly so. His form has been a revelation for some months now, his influence essential and his partnership with Sidwell surely a happy omen for Brakes as they rise through the leagues.

Brakes were soon under pressure as Dudley forced 2 early corners with the defence having difficulty clearing their lines. But Care broke away to release the pressure, forcing a corner on the right, from which Brakes increased their lead. Thompson curved the ball back to the edge of the box and lanky defender Sidwell ran in to crash a superb header into the back of the net in the 53rd minute, 2-0. The crowd bayed its approval but Morris was forced to make a good save in the 58th as Dudley and the wind started to make headway.

Then in the 63rd Dudley pulled one back as, again, Brakes failed to clear in the strengthening wind and a forward knocked home from close range after a deflection, 2-1. This was the goal that the fans feared as the supremacy of the first hour was forgotten and Brakes faced a battle against a fierce wind and resurgent Dudley. An unedifying spectacle held up play for nearly 4 minutes, with 4 players booked, curious because it had seemed a clean, sporting game in difficult conditions until then and didn't deteriorate thereafter. But, though started by a foul on Agar, it did help to break up the momentum in Brakes' favour.

Dudley again went close before Dix came on for the injured Sidwell in the 76th and nearly scored again in the 3 minutes before Blake replaced Shearsby in the 79th. The wind cracked its cheeks, the crowd bit its lip and was reduced to anguished mutterings as Dudley broke through in the 81st, 86th and 88th the last bringing a superb save from Morris. But this was a battling Brakes, a gutsy performance against the wind, and the game ended with Brakes on the attack. Not a day, perhaps, to bring on youth team striker Neil Stacey (10 goals in 11 starts and just 17) so he remained on the bench, but his chance will come soon,

Leamington: Richard Morris, Jonny Burgess, Harj Dhesi, Kevin Ariss, Tom Sidwell (Andy Dix 76), Barry Shearsby (Josh Blake 79), Nick Mort, Darren Timms, David Care, Brian Agar [Capt.], Steve Thompson
Sub Not Used: Neil Stacey

Team news: Unused sub. today, Neil Stacey, is a youth team regular - and he took over in goal in the youth team's last match at Willenhall (see youth reports); Glen Webb has an injury; Simon Wickson close to recovery (hernia); Guy Rippon has joined Whitnash and we believe that Will Payne has left the club - our best wishes for both their futures.