By Roger Vincent

Collen Wins It In the Nick of Time

High scoring Brakes' Youth struggled to break down a resolute Gloucester City defence before 62 people and the game seemed to be heading for extra time when Nick Collen slotted home in the 85th minute to book a place in the 3rd round for the week commencing 25 November.

Good to see the seniors' managers and several of the squad at the match as Brakes Youth sought to emulate the pure football of last Wednesday's 4-0 win or the sheer power of the previous week's 6-3 win. But they struggled to make much impression, at times preferring the ball over the defence for the powerful Harri or Sutton rather than using the wings.

Collen was superb when he had the chance but the attack was too often thwarted by a good Gloucester defence. Brakes had most of the play and both Stacey and Shaw struck shots past the post in the first 10 minutes. This was a hard, well contested match by a strong Brakes side and Gloucester were rarely allowed to settle. Gloucester had their moments but found Poole, Scott and goalkeeper Moss in superb form.

In the 56th Sutton went close with a header after more good work by Collen as Brakes continued to press to no avail. Moss made another superb, diving save before Collen struck the post from 30yds in the 75th. Brakes looked to be running out of time and ideas as Gloucester threatened an unlikely victory with Moss again performing wonders to keep the ball out of the Brakes' net.

Then, with extra time and penalties looming, Sutton's hard shot on target was charged down by the Gloucester 'keeper in the 85th minute and the admirable Collen was on hand to slot home, 1-0. In stoppage time Sutton again shot on goal but this time Melling's shot on the rebound hit the 'keeper.

Leamington Youth: Mark Moss; Alex Shaw; Stuart Poole; Tim Green; Lee Scott; Matt Melling; Philip Thompson; James Harri (Sean Richards 88); Richard A Sutton; Neil Stacey [Capt.] (Ryan Howell 90); Nick Collen
Sub(s) Not Used: Jimmy Claridge; Josh Tolley