Massey Mauled by Bubbling Brakes

This was a comprehensive win for Brakes, making it three victories in a row in the space of eight days. Always in control, Jason Cadden's team never looked back after taking an early lead through skipper Steve Thompson (his fourth consecutive strike) and, in the end, ran out worthy winners.

Playing down the considerable slope at Banner Lane, Brakes attacked from the off and Martin Thompson almost scored after three minutes when his shot was deflected for a corner. However, the visiting fans (who once again made up the majority of the estimated crowd of 130) didn't have long to wait for the opener as, in the 5th minute, a cross from the right by Mark Simmonds was headed down by Martin Thompson to Steve Thompson who struck a firm low shot into the corner (1-0).

Martin Thompson almost increased the lead two minutes later, but his rasping shot (as Stuart Hall would say) was just over the bar. Darren Timms had a great chance on 17 minutes when the Massey defence failed to clear an inswinging Steve Thompson corner from the right, but the Brakes' midfielder shot over the bar. However, all was well on 36 minutes as Timms took advantage of further hesitancy in the home defence to double the lead (2-0).

One of the best moves of the half came just before the interval and ended with Martin Thompson's well placed shot going just wide of the far post. Then, with time almost up in the first half, Josh Blake forced a great flying save from home 'keeper David Wright.

Massey came at Brakes right from the restart and, with better finishing, could have pulled back the deficit. They paid for missing chances in the 58th minute as Brakes increased their lead further from the penalty spot. Martin Thompson was pushed in the area and Josh Blake stepped up to take the kick, waiting for Wright to commit himself before coolly placing the ball in the space to the keeper's right (3-0). The introduction of Ryan Parisi (who has waited patiently for his chance this season) gave Brakes added pace down the right and he put over three superb crosses, the last of which found Stuart Herlihy who made it four in the 90th minute (4-0).

Matty Cairns, Doug Jones (for a foul on Simmonds) and Chris Harris (for obstructing Richard Morris) were all booked for Massey who, over the course of the ninety minutes, looked the average side that their league position indicates. However, we should take nothing away from Brakes who are back on track after the two disappointing draws at the beginning of the month. Jason Cadden was naturally pleased saying "it was great to get four goals away from home in what was a comprehensive win. Having been down to a squad of only fifteen available players, there is now real competition in the team and I have told everyone that they must play for their place".

This is good news as is the impending return of Paul Nicholls who is ready and wanting to play. Apart from Tom Sidwell, all the squad were present at the match and this augurs well for team spirit in the run-in for the title.

Leamington: Richard Morris; David Care; Harj Dhesi (Niels Kristensen 74); Simon Walker; Andy Gregory; Darren Timms; Stuart Herlihy; Mark Simmonds (Ryan Parisi 65); Josh Blake; Martin Thompson (Vernor Sleem 65); Steve Thompson [Capt]

Team News: Tom Sidwell not injured but on holiday.