Improved Brakes Finish Pre-Season On a High

First half goals by Richard Adams and Ryan Howell gave Brakes a comfortable win in their last pre-season friendly against fellow Midland Combination side Wilmcote S&S at the NWG in front of 186 people.

In the absence of manager Jason Cadden, assistant Keith Orme rang the changes from the side beaten at Studley the week before. Promising youth team player Andy McKinley replaced the injured Simon Walker at the heart of the defence alongside the experienced Darran Tank and captain for the day Harj Dhesi. Ex West Midlands Police player Richard Adams started out wide on the left with Ryan Howell joining Leon Morgan up front

In the very first minute, Richard Adams showed his pace and skill before shooting just wide and, almost immediately, the classy Stuart Herlihy went on a fine solo run which should have been rewarded with a goal. In the eighth minute, a Herlihy header was cleared off the line and Morgan sent a cracking shot just wide. At the other end, a Wilmcote free-kick from the edge of the penalty area beat Richard Morris, but bounced off the top of the crossbar.

Brakes took a deserved lead on 19 minutes when the visitors' defence failed to clear and Richard Adams slotted home, 1-0. The second goal came in the 27th minute with a fine strike by former youth team player Ryan Howell into the corner of the net, 2-0. Brakes continued on top, although gaining no advantage in the air as Wilmcote's two tall central defenders dealt comfortably with everything that came their way. Jonny Burgess did break through on 38 minutes picking up on a good Morgan pass, but his shot was well saved by the 'keeper.

Brakes picked up were they left off at the start of the second half and Wilmcote's young substitute 'keeper Chris Bloor made point-blank saves from Howell and Herlihy. The introduction of David Care and Mark Delaney increased the pace and width of Brakes' attacks and Herlihy went close again on 73 minutes heading a corner just over. Then with ten minutes to go, McKinley fed the ball to Care out on the right, but his cross was headed over the Wilmcote bar by a defender for a corner which came to nothing.

Leon Morgan again impressed, although he played more deeply at Rugby Town than as an out-and-out striker. All the youth team graduates acquitted themselves well and Andy McKinley has certainly showed that he can make the step up. With Steve Smith unlikely to make the starting line-up at Meir KA next week, he could well come into the team and, with striking options also limited, Howell has done enough to warrant a chance as well.

Keith Orme confirmed that the players were exposed during the last twenty minutes at Studley and, as a result, extra stamina training had taken place during the week. Of the match he said "It was a good performance and we kept them under pressure most of the game. Unlike in previous matches, we won the midfield and Ryan's goal was a brilliant strike. We used 17 players today but injuries and suspensions will narrow the choice down for us for the first match proper."

Leamington: Richard Morris; Jonny Burgess (David Care 53); Harj Dhesi [Capt]; Darran Tank (Ryan Parisi 64); Andy McKinley; Darren Timms (Chris Hanrahan 60); Stuart Herlihy; Leon Morgan (Vernor Sleem 46); Ryan Howell; Mark Anderson (Andy Bradley 66); Richard Adams (Mark Delaney 53)

Other Team News (by Roger Vincent): Tom Friend, Glen Webb and Phil Daly had a run out for Daventry Town again (2-0 defeat); Steve Thompson at a wedding; Josh Blake "day off"; Si Walker carrying a slight injury.