By Roger Vincent

Nicholl's Hat-Trick Caps Headline Performance

A narrow pitch, with a pronounced slope at one end, and a strong wind unsettled Leamington more than Northfield who started brightly. Northfield were awarded a penalty after 6 minutes but a good save from 'keeper Morris and a Nicholls goal in the 21st put Leamington, playing against the wind, in front until first half stoppage time when Northfield equalised. It looked like it might stay that way until Nicholls lashed in a second for Leamington from 25 yards in the 72nd which changed the game. Blake scored a 3rd in the 79th and Nicholls crowned a stunning, personal performance with a hat-trick header in the 87th.

The sun shone throughout but a strong wind on an exposed pitch caught out several of the 160 travelling fans who had decided to leave coats behind. Media Officer, Craig Barnes, delivered summaries to radio stations The Bear and Spa FM through chattering teeth and Football Secretary, Terry Ford, looked smarter than usual in a borrowed track-suit top. Northfield's home record, better than their lowly position suggests, could have something to do with an unusual pich, narrow and with a pronounced slope to one side even more marked at the end Brakes defended in the first half playing into the strong wind.

Northfield's start was fast and furious; judged by this performance it isn't lack of spirit that has been their problem. Brakes were in a battle and, in the 6th minute, a tug on the shirt of a Northfield attacker gave Northfield a penalty which was brilliantly saved by Morris diving to his right. Northfield continued to press and drove over the bar in the 11th though Brakes also forced 2 corners before that in a, so far, wind-spoilt game with little good football where only Brakes' Timms seemed to have time on the ball.

Then in the 21st minute Brakes' perseverance paid off as Nicholls made it 1-0 to Brakes slotting home after arch-provider Thompson slipped through a perfect ball. Barr was showing well for his first start in a difficult game and Wickson was reminding everyone of what had been missed during his long lay-off with his power in the air and general control, only needing an extra little bit of match-fitness to be back to where he was. Also impressive was Dix showing increasing control in defence and linking well with Timms.

With the Brakes' defence having difficulty clearing the ball out of danger against the strong wind a 1-0 lead was starting to seem a good half-time score with the threat of twin-strikers, Blake and Nicholls, up front in the second half. Then in the 45th, in first half stoppage time, a Northfield forward ran through to drive into the corner for 1-1.

Sidwell came off the bench for McGovern in the 51st with Webb replacing Wickson a minute later. Wickson had felt a slight twinge of his old problem but this was largely precautionary. It also got Webb off being the bucket and sponge man for which, despite raucous encouragement from the fans, he showed little aptitude in the first half seemingly shedding most of his equipment before reaching the trembling recalcitrant who had dared to lie down. Whether relief at being let off this chore, or something else, the always impressive Webb was even more of a revelation than usual in the rest of the game using his power, control and football brain to geat effect.

In the 56th Webb drove over and minutes later Mort pushed through a ball just ahead of Blake before the game was turned round by a truly, superb goal. With the game in danger of becoming a stalemate Thompson delivered a long throw into the box which was cleared by the Northfield defence to Nicholls who chested it down and drove home an unstoppable, 25 yards shot to make it 2-1 to Brakes in the 72nd minute.

Brakes now relaxed and started to play much better football getting on top of a Northfield side that had fought hard for 70 minutes with little to show. Now the Northfield heads went down as a Mort corner was followed by another Thompson throw into the box before Brakes went further ahead. A superb ball from Webb released Blake who ran past 2 defenders before driving past the advancing 'keeper in the 79th to put Brakes 3-1 up.

Northfield still showed moments of threat and Dix did well to head back to Morris under pressure before a Northfield forward drove well wide with the goal at his mercy. But in the 87th minute Nicholls made it 4-1 to Brakes, and his hat-trick, when he rose high to head home from a Mort free kick. With 90 minutes on the clock Mort slipped through a pass for Nicholls to run onto and drive just wide and moments later Nicholls wriggled past several defenders in the goal-mouth to nearly add to his tally in a performance that was a personal triumph.

Leamington: Richard Morris, Andy Dix, Jamie Barr, Liam McGovern (Tom Sidwell 51), Andy Gregory, Daz Timms, Nick Mort, Simon Wickson (Glen Webb 52), Josh Blake, Paul Nicholls, Steve Thompson [Capt.]
Subs Not Used: Jonny Burgess

Team News: Brian Agar unwell; Barry Shearsby illness in family.