Deady Duo Strikes Again

Leamington top the table though maybe only for 24 hrs with Marconi, who play Wednesday, in a position to leapfrog past them. Two goals, one in each half from Blake and Richard Adams who have now scored 16 times, were enough to see off a much-improved Bolehall whose record is almost a mirror image of Brakes. Brakes, with the division's best attacking record, could have scored more against the division's worst defence but it was still a fine win with some excellent attacking football though it would have been a different story if Swifts strikers had made more of their chances.

It was a blustery, late summer's evening with the lights on at the start for the first time this season and 318 fans feeling the first hint of chilly autumn. Bolehall, with, I believe, new management, clearly had something to prove and although Blake and Richard Adams went close early on Swifts had the better chances in the 16th and 21st, the first blasted wide from in front of goal.

Clearly Swifts were not just going to roll over but a strong, 35yd drive from Hanrahan in the 22nd just cleared the bar as Brakes fought back. Then a cultured pass from Richard Adams set up Blake in the 24th minute and he made it 1-0 smashing an unstoppable shot into the top left corner.

It had been a fairly even game so far but the crowd settled down for another goal fest now the first had gone in. However, Swifts had other ideas and they were the better side for the rest of the half as Brakes struggled to clear their lines. In the 31st a Swifts shot hit the underside of the Brakes' bar and an excellent Morris save in the 40th saw the ball come out to a Swifts forward who slashed high and wide with the goal at his mercy. In between Blake was unlucky and Care, Richard Adams and Hanrahan combined well for the latter to hit the side-netting.

The defence was being pulled apart with the policy of using Thompson to take corners and throw-ins from the right, with Hanrahan on the left, leaving Brakes' left flank exposed when moves broke down following a set piece from the right. But the half ended with Brakes coming back into the game. Herlihy and Blake combined for Blake to turn well in the area only to lift his shot over the bar in the 44th then Blake set up Hanrahan with a superb pass a minute later but the 'keeper made an excellent save.

Brakes started the second half in control and Richard Adams was close twice after good work by Care before Blake and Care combined well for Care to pass superbly into the path of Richard Adams who drove home an unstoppable shot, 2-0 in the 51st. Adams could have scored again three minutes later as he jinxed into the area but he slipped an unselfish pass to Blake who was robbed by some desperate defending.

As Brakes started to impose their authority a young hare decided to join in the fun after watching from the sidelines for a while but he somehow evaded Care in full flight and both he and the Swifts' goal survived the onslaught. Swifts defence was now in disarray and a comedy of errors in the 73rd saw the ball bouncing around in their area with nobody able to clear it but Brakes unable to apply the coup de grace. In the 75th a Care and Richard Adams 1-2 set Care on goal but he seemed caught in two minds whether to cross or shoot as he sped in from the right and the ball spun across the line. Blake robbed the 'keeper by sheer perseverance in the 76th but was robbed himself, at the death, as he tried to walk the ball into the net.

Ex-youth players Howell and Anderson came on for the latter stages and kept the pressure on a faltering Bolehall and there was some good passing play from the Brakes' front-runners. But there were no further goals and the narrow, winning margin left many fans relieved at both the early wastefulness of the Swifts forwards but also the increasing competence of an excellent Brakes' defence in which Walker, Tank and Ben Adams were, once again, outstanding.

Leamington: Richard Morris; David Care (Mark Anderson 75); Ben Adams; Simon Walker; Darran Tank; Darren Timms; Stuart Herlihy; Chris Hanrahan; Josh Blake (Ryan Howell 77); Richard Adams; Steve Thompson [Capt]
Subs Not Used: Phil Daly

Team News: Martin Thompson and Simon Wickson turned out for Whitnash Town earlier (ko 6pm) to get match fitness but, unfortunately, Martin had to go off after a knock that could put him back another week.
Niels Kristensen still having knee problems; Tom Friend suspension; Steve Smith back from injury; no prognosis on Glen Webb's knee but missed today through holiday anyway; Lee Lavery still injured, prognosis unknown.