By Roger Vincent

Blake Sees Red as Brakes Lose Again in Battle of the Giants

Two wary teams fought a goalless first half with debutant Lee van der Heyden, stepping up from the youth team, impressive in Leamington's goal as Rugby had more, early chances. A goal from free kick specialist, Harj Dhesi, in the 71st looked a likely winner for Brakes but Blake saw red minutes later reducing depleted Leamington's attacking options still further. Rugby equalised in the 76th and snatched the winner in the second period of extra time to the noisy delight of a large number of the 193 crowd.

Youth team goalkeeper, Lee van der Heyden, stepped up to make his senior debut in a baptism of fire against rampant Rugby Town and was soon in action reacting superbly to keep his goal intact. Thompson showed early promise when he cut inside to send a tantalising cross into the Rugby area in the 13th and Webb showed his strength creating a chance for Timms before driving over from distance. But Rugby broke and hit the post in the 15th looking more likely to score than Brakes.

Dhesi replaced the hobbling Shearsby in the 22nd as Brakes started to find their range. Burgess, who had another superb game, tore down the right past a hesitant defender and Blake did well to force a corner. Then Dhesi turned and twisted past a bemused Rugby defender who was left looking into space as Brakes started to look more likely winners. Saunders was having another excellent game but Rugby showed that they were still a force to be reckoned with when Van der Heyden had to make another good save nearing the break.

The second half started with two increasingly wary teams. Flowing football was at a premium as strong, defensive play nipped in the bud any attacking movement. Already it was looking like extra time and penalties. Gregory and Saunders were linking well and, with Van der Heyden growing in confidence in the Brakes' goal, perhaps inevitably it needed a free-kick to break the stalemate. From fully 30yds Dhesi drove low into the net to make it 0-1 in the 71st minute. But within minutes the advantage was lost when Blake raised his hands to a Rugby player who had elbowed him from behind. Although both saw red Brakes, with an already depleted attack, were by far the more affected. Within two minutes, in the 76th, Rugby Town had equalised at 1-1 running through and knocking a good goal over the faultless Van der Heyden. Normal time ended with both sides going close: Rugby brought another good save from Van der Heyden in the 80th and Dhesi hit the bar for Brakes with only a few minutes left.

With Timms out of sorts only Dhesi in the Brakes attack looked like scoring; but the Brakes defence was strong and resolute as penalties beckoned. Van der Heyden made a superb stop in the 99th minute when he ran out to clear and an even better save in the 102nd from close range. Webb ran through and shot wide in the 103rd but Brakes no longer looked dangerous.

In the second period of extra time Timms made a rare foray on goal but was robbed at the last. Then Rugby had one of those moments that gets you top of the league when, from the half-way line, a player broke at speed and thumped home the winner, 2-1 in the 108th. From my position next to the half-way line he appeared to foul two Brakes' players as he wrestled the ball from them, leaving both on the ground, but the referee waved play on and maybe Brakes paid the penalty by waiting for the expected whistle. Rowland came on for Gregory as Brakes pushed players up into attack and Nicholls returned from his long lay-off with only time added on left but still had a chance in front of goal for an unlikely equaliser, a chance he may have taken if he was match fit. But, with the Rugby Town fans whistling for time as Brakes peppered their goal, an entertaining match ended with, probably, a fair result over the 120 minutes.

Leamington: Lee van der Heyden, Jonny Burgess (Paul Nicholls 120), Tom Saunders, Tom Sidwell, Andy Gregory (Mark Rowland 114), Chris Hanrahan, Glen Webb, Barry Shearsby (Harj Dhesi 22), Josh Blake, Darren Timms, Steve Thompson [Capt.]
Subs Not Used: Simon Walker, Ben Adams (3 from 5 in this competition)

Team News: Myles Day out for "4-5 weeks" but three more goalkeepers have signed senior forms: Lee van der Heyden (who played today) and Mark Moss, both from the youth squad, plus Andy Biffin from Shepshed Dynamo, via Atherstone and Pelsall Villa, who was at the match. Also good to see ex-Brakes' goalie Paul O'Keeffe as well, albeit in the bar afterwards; a good day for goalkeepers, obviously.

And, introducing Andy Ellis from Worcester City who has joined the team as a fitness instructor but also signed senior forms; I may have some details wrong here as I didn't get to speak to him but I'll update fans through the web-site when I know more.