Leamington Lights Up

An extremely encouraging 2nd half saw Brakes hold their own against Dr Martens Premier opposition with some excellent displays from new boys Amrit Sahal, Scott Curphey, Andy Crabtree and Mark Rowland. This followed a spectacular display of fireworks leading to the floodlights going on for the first time, after all the sponsors had been introduced and teams and dignitaries photographed, at half time.

An untidy first half saw Brakes go 2 down in the 7th and 12th minutes, after defensive frailties were exposed, but come back into the game with an own goal in the 16th as Agar threatened the Halesowen goal. An excellent headed goal from a left-wing cross in the 44th minute put Halesowen 3-1 up at the break but there was a huge improvement in the second half as Brakes stepped up their game to match their opponents' quickness of thought.

There were no more goals but Brakes came nearest when Webb headed against the bar in the 68th and both Crabtree and Sahal went close. More importantly Brakes seemed to learn from their higher placed opponents, which can only augur well for the coming season.

Leamington: Umbi Sidhu, Jonny Burgess, Andy Gregory (Andy Dix 85), Mark Rowland, Andy Crabtree, Daz Timms, Nick Mort (Scott Curphey 74), Glen Webb, Paul Nicholls, Brian Agar (Amrit Sahal 46), Steve Thompson [Capt.]