"Only Two Thommos" Enough to Demolish Pershore, But Witches Fly in the Worcestershire Night

The team coach ground to a halt, 15 minutes outside Pershore on the return journey, in the middle of the Worcestershire countryside on a very dark B road. From 10:30, until rescue around 1am by a fleet of taxis, fans and team were thrown together in a situation that could have been purgatory if this had been other than another, comprehensive victory by a Brakes side that just seems to get better and. better. Pershore were demolished in a first half of powerful, sometimes delightful football with goals from Nicholls and the two Thompsons as the crowd sang happily "There's Only Two Thommos". Little happened in the second half but with goal difference not an issue in this cup match the job had been done and any Pershore threat was easily nullified by another superb defensive display with debutant, Niels Kristensen, Brakes own Great Dane, slotting in as if he'd been playing in the side for months.

I have to report that Jonny Burgess played a General's role in organising a form of charades on the stricken coach that kept us amused for some time; it's necessary to mention this because otherwise I wouldn't be able to tell you that my team stuffed Vic Shepherd's team 19-14. The only disturbing incident is that it was reported that a Pershore fan, incensed by the noisy crowd (and, no doubt, by her team being thrashed), was heard to say that she hoped the coach broke down on the way home. A broomstick later left the scene.

So, a balmy September night and the shirt-sleeved fans settled for a second visit to Pershore with memories of a dour struggle in August, in the league, that finished 1-0 to Brakes. This was different; it started at a frenetic pace with none more frenzied than the indomitable Care, the Friends player of the month for August. In the 2nd minute he could, maybe should, have earned a penalty, in the 5th he combined well with Burgess to set up a chance just before running 60yards to go close and clearing off his own line in the 11th.

But it was new boy, Martin Thompson, making his starting debut who set up the first goal with a beautifully weighted through ball for Nicholls to run onto and slot home for 0-1 in the 17th. Burgess went close within a minute but then, in a tale of two Thommos, Martin Thompson was provider again, this time for Steve Thompson who scored his first competitive goal of the season running in from the left in the 20th minute, 0-2.

The crowd sang as Brakes turned the screw. Pershore, looking tired, were already defeated with little threat up front as they played into the maw of a well-organised Brakes defence. In goal the returning Morris, also making his first start of the season, looked comfortable and Niels Kristensen, who was making his competitive debut, looked mature and at ease with his role. In the 35th Brakes were 0-3 up as Martin Thompson used strength and skill to shake off three defenders and drive home a powerful, unstoppable shot. With the half drawing to a close Steve Thompson nearly added another page to the Two Thompsons saga when he ran 40/50 yards to drive just over the bar.

In the one black spot of the game Wickson withdrew at half-time with what was thought to be a recurrence of his groin problem. Little happened in the second half as Brakes rode out the half avoiding any injuries or unnecessary strain. A brief flurry as the game wound to a halt saw Sleem release a telling pass to Martin Thompson in the 82nd that could so easily have been another goal then Blake made a superb run in the dying moments to the goal line, crossing into the path of Sleem who drove just wide from a good position.

As the whistle blew and Brakes fans gathered their quiches, ordered at the last match, from the excellent Liz's kitchen (and had just one more burger), nobody spotted a broomstick crossing the blood-red moon over the river Severn on its way to a meeting point by a dark road in the heart of the Worcestershire countryside.

Leamington: Richard Morris; David Care (Vernor Sleem 62); Harj Dhesi; Niels Kristensen; Andy Gregory; Chris Hanrahan; Simon Wickson (Tom Sidwell 46); Jonny Burgess; Martin Thompson; Paul Nicholls (Josh Blake 74); Steve Thompson [Capt.]

Team News: Wickson groin problem "as before"; Walker injured.