By Roger Vincent

Brakes Win Championship in Style

Brakes swept into an eight-goal half-time lead and added four more after the break to beat a struggling Southam side 12-0. Hat-tricks for Lewis and Kyriacou and a brace each for Tolley and captain Green were complemented by goals from Lewis Scott and Poole. Southam, to their credit, battled to the end but Brakes were always stronger and there was never much doubt about the final result which ensures that young Brakes are champions of the Eastern Division.

A chilly night, England v Turkey live on the box, but still an appreciable (and appreciated) crowd turned up at Southam to see if young Brakes could get the point they needed to clinch the championship. In the 8th minute Lewis swept the ball into the net to make it 0-1 from a Lewis Scott (brother of Lee) pass. This was only Chris Lewis' second start of the season after early promise was slowed by a shattered knee, and provider Lewis Scott was starting for the first time after one previous appearance in a competitive match off the bench. In the 19th Lewis turned provider when, first, he pushed an inch-perfect through ball for Tolley to make it 0-2 with a clever lob over the advancing 'keeper and in the 21st set up the irrepressible Kyriacou who smashed the ball in the net for 0-3.

This was a game of firsts and in the 30th minute, skipper Green, stalwart as ever in defence, made it 0-4 when he powerfully headed home for his first goal of the season. He then provided the pass for Lewis Scott to run down the right wing and cross superbly for Kyriacou to score his second with a spectacular diving header to make it 0-5 in the 34th. Not to be outdone Lewis scored his second to make it 0-6 in the 40th knocking in Tolley's cross from close range after good work by Lewis Scott. Within minutes Lewis Scott marked his starting debut with his first goal for the club making it 0-7 in the 43rd minute. This followed a superb, jinxing run by Tolley and a measured pass to set up Martin Groves whose shot was pushed out to the predatory Scott. Then in added time after the 45th minute Lewis notched the first hat-trick of the evening when he made it 0-8 running though and stroking a Kyriacou through ball into the corner.

After the break Southam had their best spell and put Brakes under pressure for 15 minutes although Tolley was unlucky with a free-kick and Collen saw an on-target drive tipped over for a corner. But, inevitably, Brakes came back into the game and were awarded a penalty after some desperate defending. Poole put away the perfect spot-kick but the referee spotted encroachment and ordered it retaken. This time the 'keeper got a hand to it and pushed it out but Poole followed up to knock it home for his first goal of the season to make it 0-9 in the 63rd minute. He was replaced shortly afterwards by Mark Anderson making his first appearance in a competitive match.

In the 68th skipper Green scored his second of the night (and season) to bring up double figures, 0-10, when he knocked home after disarray in the Southam defence. A minute later, in the 69th, it was 0-11 when Kyriacou slotted his hat-trick after a Tolley piledriver was pushed out. Green was taken off soon after as, no doubt, he would have become unbearable if he'd got his hat-trick, and it was Tolley who completed the scoring at 0-12 in the 76th minute running through and slotting a perfect shot in the corner for his second on the night.

Leamington Youth: Lee van der Heyden; Mark Beezley; Stuart Poole (Mark Anderson 64); Martin Groves; Lee Scott (Ben Halstead-Smyth 46); Tim Green [Capt.] (Alex Shaw 70); Lewis Scott; Nick Collen; Chris Lewis; Nick Kyriacou; Josh Tolle
Sub(s) Not Used: Ryan Howell; Seb Rockcliff

Team News: Neil Stacey was rested as he is playing for England on Friday in Scotland.