By Roger Vincent

Brakes' Bonfire of Vanities Dowsed by Fernhill Firebrands

Lowly Fernhill belied their league position for a second time against Brakes but, whereas they lost 1-0 at the New Windmill earlier in the season, this time they turned the tables with a goal in each half. On the day they were the far superior side with a good mix of experience and youth. Brakes never really got started and in a, hopefully, 1-off performance were lacklustre and always second to the ball with mistakes creeping in as the frustration festered. A balmy evening, a good pitch and a cacophany of light and sound led to the added frustration of trying to avoid writing stuff like "the only fireworks were off the pitch ..." (damn!)

An uneasy feeling from the start, that Brakes "didn't look right", that they didn't look as if they had warmed up, was worsened when on-fire Fernhill took an early lead forcing the ball over the line after a corner in the 9th minute to make it 1-0. If Brakes thought that they just had to turn up to win they were receiving a rude awakening. Dhesi was covering ground to good effect but the attack was sputtering with little service from midfield other than over the top which was easily dealt with by the strong, experienced guys in the Fernhill defence; this was a damp squib of a performance from Brakes, too many of whom performed as if they were still in the box, er, changing room.

Blake, briefly, showed a glimmer of promise but the few Brakes' attacks fizzled out without real threat. This was a bitty performance of individuals with no-one looking like lighting the blue touchpaper to set the team alight. It was Fernhill who were making all the running with some good, attacking football as they drove at the heart of the Brakes' defence. Walker made a timely interception in the 17th and Fernhill nearly scored again from a 24th minute corner which was scrambled away. In the 32nd Day raced from goal to charge down another attack and keep Brakes in the game.

But thoughts of recovery in the second half were dampened when Fernhill scored again, this time from the penalty spot. A Brakes' defender brought down a lively Fernhill attacker on the edge of the box and Fernhill made it 2-0 with a rocket in the 56th struck at the centre of the goal evading the diving Day. A good move in the 62nd involving Thompson and Dhesi resulted in a chance for Timms which wasn't taken. Harri nearly forced his way though in the 73rd, Timms shot over from in front and Blake rolled the ball past the Fernhill goalkeeper only to see a defender get back and clear as Brakes showed brief promise.

But with all the substitutes on Brakes couldn't change things on the day and Fernhill finished the stronger skimming the Brakes' bar in the 80th and never really looking like conceding. Brakes shouldn't be too downhearted; they're entitled to one or two bad performances a season. What is somewhat disheartening is the shouted comments of a few "supporters" who should remember that this team has done wonders to get where they are despite all being amateurs and some playing at the limits of their abilities. Whilst the players will learn from losing matches like this there may also be some supporters who need to learn how to lose. We will lose several more in this league, however well we play, and, to quote Barry Proctor, "dignity in defeat" is something that we need. As a club we have had little practice so far but it is a useful attribute to have however little used.

Leamington: Myles Day, Glen Webb, Simon Walker, Andy Gregory, Mark Rowland (Tom Sidwell 63), Chris Hanrahan (Tom Saunders 88), Barry Shearsby, Harj Dhesi (James Harri 65), Josh Blake, Darren Timms, Steve Thompson [Capt.]