Blake Hits Four as Brakes Punish Pershore<

Hot shot Josh Blake was in sensational form scoring four second half goals to take his tally to nine for the season and set Brakes on the road to a comfortable win in front of 358 fans at the New Windmill

Pershore came with a victory over Meir in their record and looked for much of the first half as if they would deny Brakes the win they needed to keep with the early season pacesetters. Chances had come and gone with nothing to show for all the home side's possession until Dave Care latched onto a Blake pass in the 34th minute to open the scoring (1-0).

Visiting 'keeper Barry McClean twice denied the industrious Chris Hanrahan (in for Stuart Herlihy who was absent with a family engagement), pushing a rasping shot away on 38 minutes and then saving a well-struck free kick shortly after. Leon Morgan, who continues to impress with his skill, had a good chance to double the lead on the stroke of half-time, but his effort came to nothing.

In the 50th minute, former West Midlands Police striker, Richard Adams, got his reward for another excellent display, beating two defenders before calming slotting the ball past McClean (2-0). Pershore almost hit back on 59 minutes, but Richard Morris was equal to the task. However, this scare seemed to be the signal for the Brakes' goal rush, as two minutes later, in the 61st, a cross from the right by Ben Adams was only partially cleared and Josh Blake was on hand (3-0).

Although some sloppy defending allowed Paul Rignal to pull one back for Pershore in the 74th, it was all Brakes, and Blake in particular, from then on. Manager Jason Cadden made three substitutions and they each had a hand in Blake's goals. First, Ryan Howell passed to Hanrahan down the right and his pinpoint cross was headed home by Blake in the 81st minute (4-1). Then, Mark Anderson was the provider for Blake to notch his hat-trick in the 83rd minute (5-1) and the final goal came right at the end, this time from a Phil Daly pass (6-1) as Blake put away his fourth.

Manager Jason Cadden was not getting carried away saying "It was a conformable win and we created a lot of chances throughout the match. Josh was excellent and it was a good overall team performance. However, we switched off for their goal and will get punished by other sides if we don't concentrate the whole time."

Classy defender Steve Smith is back in full training after his pre-season injury at Alveston and with the returning Herlihy, competition for places will hot up. The starting line-up seems to be settling down after five matches, but injuries, suspensions and player unavailability will mean changes from time to time. Take way the result against Meir on the first day of the season and the team's record is beginning to look impressive with 19 goals scored and 3 conceded in the last four matches. It can only get better and, hopefully, the missing fans will return and lift the team even higher.

Leamington: Richard Morris; David Care (Phil Daly 71); Ben Adams; Simon Walker; Darran Tank; Darren Timms; Leon Morgan (Mark Anderson 58); Chris Hanrahan; Josh Blake; Richard Adams (Ryan Howell 64); Steve Thompson [Capt]
Subs Not Used: None

Team News: Niels Kristensen still having knee problems; Martin Thompson training; Tom Friend suspension; Steve Smith and Simon Wickson back from injury; no prognosis on Glen Webb's knee but missed today through holiday anyway; Lee Lavery still injured, prognosis unknown; Stuart Herlihy family commitments.