Brakes Hit Saints for Six

With water lying along the touchlines and a slippery surface making ball control difficult, this was never going to be an easy local derby for Brakes. However, three goals in each half secured all three points and, with Feckenham losing at Pershore, the reward was reclaiming third spot in what is becoming an absorbing Premier Division battle. Romulus also dropped points after a 1-1 draw at home to Castle Vale which leaves Rugby Town as new leaders after their 2-0 win at Continental Star.

Brakes welcomed back Nick McFarlane into the centre of the defence in place of the absent Andy Gregory and he put in an excellent performance alongside the dependable Tom Sidwell. The first twenty minutes were scrappy and the hosts made Brakes fight for everything. However, the match began to turn Brakes' way in the 22nd minute when Josh Blake laid the ball out to the left to former Saints player Mark Simmonds whose floated shot went into the roof of the net, with 'keeper Aidey Etherson rooted to the spot, for his 1st goal since his return, 0-1.

Skipper Baz Shearsby went off on 24 minutes and, as he has done before, Darren Timms donned the armband and led by example winning the loose balls and driving the team forward. An equaliser looked on the cards on 38 minutes when Neil Lissaman put Mark Townsend through, but Richard Morris in the Leamington goal was up to the task, pushing his low shot away for a corner. The Saints' defence was pushing up to catch the Brakes' forwards off-side and this ploy was working to some effect. However, any thoughts of getting back into the match were shattered as half-time approached. On 41 minutes, a long throw from Steve Thompson was back-headed by Vernor Sleem straight at Etherson who fumbled the ball and Jonny Burgess was on hand to poke it home, 0-2. Within two minutes, (43rd), it was effectively all over as a cross from Simmonds was met by leading scorer Paul Nicholls to make it 0-3.

Right at the start of the second half, Saints had a golden opportunity to pull one back, but Steve Barroman put an easy chance wide. Leamington's Dave Care was causing problems down the right wing, but he was stopped in his tracks on 55 minutes by a robust tackle from debutant central defender Robert Greetham. Care needed extensive treatment and, although he carried on for a few minutes longer, he had to give way limping off with a shin injury.

Southam seemed to believe that their only way back was to unsettle Brakes and some more strong tackling saw three bookings in the space of eight minutes. First was Tom Allsopp for bringing down Nicholls, then David Shepperd and finally 'keeper Etherson for taking out Sleem. The latter resulted in a penalty which Richard Morris converted on 79 minutes to make it 0-4.

Every Brakes player is trying to get on the scoresheet this season and Morris was given permission by coach Steve Thompson to take a spot kick provided that it was not likely to influence the outcome. However, skipper Darren Timms wanted to take the kick and Paul Nicholls confirmed that he would have had a say "if I had been on a hat-trick"

Another mistake by Etherson on 81 minutes saw Josh Blake get on the scoresheet, 0-5, and, to wrap things up, Vernor Sleem got onto the end of a Nicholls shot three minutes from time (87th), to bring up number six, 0-6.

For Brakes, this was a case of a job well done, but at a price. Baz Shearsby picked up a groin injury and Paul Nicholls finished with a twisted knee. Despite speculation, Nicholls has had no approach from Moor Green but is willing to listen to any offer that they may make. However, he is happy at Leamington and enjoying his football.

For stand-in manager Steve Thompson, this was a satisfactory afternoon in a match where he felt "I had everything to lose and nothing to gain." He added "Everybody played their part and I didn't have too much to do. Southam played some good football, but the result was a fair reflection. I took 32 phone calls this morning asking if the match was on and Cadsey can have the job back as soon as the plane touches down."

For Saints manager John Hanna, this was another disappointing afternoon in a season that has only yielded one win. He said "We gave away four goals and our 'keeper had a poor game. Although the best team won on the day, I didn't feel that we were six goals inferior. However, we are still rebuilding here and I am sure that we will have a good second half to the season."

Leamington: Richard Morris; Jonny Burgess (David Care 48 (Ryan Parisi 61)); Harj Dhesi; Tom Sidwell; Ian McFarlane; Darren Timms; Barry Shearsby [Capt] (Vernor Sleem 24); Mark Simmonds; Josh Blake; Paul Nicholls; Steve Thompson

Southam United: Etherson; Allsopp; Townsend; Shepherd; Greetham; Britton; Lissaman (Oswin 53); Barrowman (Mulvaney 63); Hanusek; Smith; O'Rourke
Sub Not Used: Barker

Leamington Team News: Chris Hanrahan, Andy Gregory, Niels Kristensen and Jason Cadden all on holiday; Simon Walker and Anthony Episcopo both available and would have played in this match if last Saturday's match had been on. Various knocks a worry, most worrying probably David Care who was advised to go to hospital for an X-ray.

NB This was Darren Timms 151st appearance in competitive games for Brakes; Daz scored on his landmark 150th at Sphinx. On his heels are Josh Blake with 145, Steve Thompson 142, Baz Shearsby 131 and Jonny Burgess 128.