Gate Shut on Brakes' Fightback with Spoils Even at the New Windmill

Draw specialists, Highgate United, notched up their 6th this term in 10 games against another stuttering Brakes' performance before 395 at the New Windmill. Nicholls shot Brakes into an early lead in the 8th minute but 'Gate fought back to level it by the break with a goal in the 23rd and take the lead in the 57th. Nicholls got Brakes, and his, second a minute later. Highgate were dangerous in attack but vulnerable in defence and Brakes looked the most likely to notch a winner, after Harri and Hanrahan came off the bench, and hit the woodwork in the all too short added time with Highgate down to 10 men for the last seven minutes.

With memories of Castle Vale still fresh there was a collective sigh of relief as Highgate shot over with the goal begging on 16 seconds then brought good saves from the excellent Gettings in the 5th and 7th minutes. But it was Brakes who took an early lead when the ball broke from Brakes defence with both Nicholls and Sleem running free. It was Nicholls who got there first to drive home into the left corner to make it 1-0 in the 8th minute.

But early promise soon turned to mere hope as the defence soon looked vulnerable to the quick, Highgate forwards. Despite good work by Kristensen, who cleared well twice, Sidwell cleared off the line in the 14th and the early season defensive compactness seemed a distant memory as good defenders seemed unsure about their positions or roles. Moreover the midfield was absent and Brakes resorted to long kicks upfield. With Care and Steve Thompson having to defend there was little threat down the wings and Timms was struggling to find the necessary pace to bring the ball upfield, or get back in time to defend.

Yet Sidwell could have doubled Brakes lead in the 21st as he rose high to meet a Thompson free kick from the right and, a minute later, Sleem, who seems very low on confidence at the moment, was put through by Blake but was beaten in the chase by a good Highgate 'keeper. Almost inevitably, therefore, Highgate broke through to make it 1-1 in the 23rd, with the defence trailing as an unsstoppable shot was smacked in the corner.

A period of intense, Highgate pressure followed, not helped by the absence of Brakes' midfield. The ball was either being knocked, long, from Brakes' defence into the waiting jaws of the Highgate defence, or worked upfield to threaten the Brakes' goal. But some hope was encouraged as the half ended with the excellent Nicholls just robbed as he pulled the trigger and a Timms header skimming the post on the wrong side.

The second half started as the first ended with Highgate playing the football and Brakes hoofing the ball upfield. It was no surprise then that Brakes went behind, 1-2 in the 57th when Highgate broke down the left and cut in to smash home another very good goal. But, in a minute, Brakes were back on terms when Blake fell in the area after a headlong rush on goal. With the players waiting, for a penalty or a goal-kick I know not, only Nicholls seemed to realise that the ball was still in play, retrieved it from the line and turned to smash home for 2-2 in the 58th.

Now, for the first time, Brakes seemed more likely to win the game. Hanrahan came on for Timms and the speedy Harri, ex-youth striker, came on for Sleem to provide pace and movement up front. Twice Harri went close in the 75th as Highgate panicked and faltered in defence. A Blake shot from a Shearsby cross was pushed over the bar in the 80th and, in the 84th, Highgates' no. 3 was sent off for a second yellow after unfairly stopping the on-song Harri. With the 90 drawing near Nicholls was denied a hat-trick by another very good save and a Hanrahan header hit the post from a Shearsby cross as the game moved into added time. With the fans hoping for a late winner to paper over the all too obvious cracks in Brakes' overall performance the referee, astonishingly, added less than two minutes to a half with several stoppages, including a sending-off, thus adding anger to frustration.

Leamington: James Gettings; David Care; Andy Gregory; Tom Sidwell; Niels Kristensen; Darren Timms (Chris Hanrahan 66); Barry Shearsby; Josh Blake; Vernor Sleem (James Harri 72); Paul Nicholls; Steve Thompson [Capt.]
Subs Not Used: Jonny Burgess

Team News: Harj Dhesi at a wedding; Martin Thompson "maybe 2 weeks"; Rich Morris limping after falling over his dog on the stairs this morning (prognosis unknown and Rich Morris's condition also unclear!)