By David Hucker

Brakes Break Saints as Rugby Falter

Brakes eventually emerged on top in this closely-fought local derby, but a resurgent Saints side ensured that there would be no repeat of the 5-0 scoreline from their first league encounter last August.

In the continuing absence of Steve Thompson, Brakes were captained by Darren Timms and, hard as he tried to instil some urgency into the play, the visitors never really fired in the opening exchanges. The match could have taken on a different look after only five minutes when Saints winger Sean Davis saw his goal-bound shot pushed over the top by debutant keeper James Gettings.

Long-range shots from Paul Nicholls and Jonny Burgess were the only worthwhile early goal attempts by Brakes but they gradually got their act together and the experienced Pete Dye in the home goal came more into the action. Within a fifteen minute spell of pressure, Nicholls' flick-on from a NIck Mort corner was well saved and both Darren Timms with a header and Josh Blake with a drive over the top could have given Brakes the lead.

However, Dye was powerless to prevent Brakes taking the lead four minutes before half-time when Chris Hanrahan and Timms combined before Blake slotted home much to the relief of the visiting supporters.

The interval team talks seemed to have more effect on Southam as they reappeared the more eager team and, in the fifty-seventh minute, the industrious Davis rose high to head home a corner from the left. However, the celebrations were short-lived as Brakes pushed forward and a fine run by Burgess into the penalty resulted in his being upended. Nicholls stepped up to send his spot kick low to Dye's right to restore the lead. From then on, the home side did not really look like pulling back the deficit for a second time and Brakes took the opportunity to bring on substitutes Ryan Parisi and Brian Agar.

The introduction of nineteen year old Parisi injected some pace into the Brakes attack and he nearly capped a fine performance with a goal in the dying seconds with a shot that rebounded off the post. Like the solid performing Andy Gregory, he is a product of the Central Ajax youth set-up and could be a real asset to the club.

Nick Mort was booked for a foul and Saints' Niall O'Rouke for dissent but the match was played in a good spirit throughout.

The crowd of 245 was the largest at Banbury Road for ten years and, despite the swirling cold wind, there was enough excitement to keep everyone on tenterhooks throughout the ninety minutes. Brakes joint-manager, Barry Proctor, was pleased with the result, made even better by the news of leaders Rugby Town's defeat at Castle Vale KH. He said, "although we have tried to keep the players fit, we were a bit rusty after our enforced layoff. Southam have improved since we last met them and James Gettings made an important early save for us. Ryan Parisi also looks a promising addition to the squad. However, we still need to improve if we are to be real championship contenders."

Leamington: James Gettings, Jonny Burgess, Harj Dhesi, Andy Gregory, Tom Sidwell, Andy Ellis, Nick Mort (Ryan Parisi 67), Chris Hanrahan, Josh Blake, Paul Nicholls, Darren Timms [Capt.] (Brian Agar 75)
Subs Not Used: Simon Walker