Blake Fails To Score!

The measure of Blake's resurgence as top goal-scorer is that it's newsworthy that he actually failed to score, the first time in any match he's started this season. But he was instrumental in much of what was good up front and the other half of the deadly duo, Richard Adams, slotted the only goal to give Brakes their 6th victory in a row that takes them back top, at least until Tuesday. Steve "Smudger" Smith made an excellent debut after pre-season injury and Mark Anderson, ex-youth player and captain, made his first start having another excellent game.

A crowd of 180 saw the game mostly in warm sunshine, and the rain held off though the puddles on the roads returning home suggested that the Triplex stadium was an oasis of calm. Brakes got off to an excellent start threatening to overrun Pilkington with some impressive passing football. And the goal was a beauty: Anderson and Herlihy worked the ball upfield to target man Morgan. He slipped a perfect pass to Richard Adams who made it 0-1 in the 7th minute striking the ball low and hard into the far corner past the advancing Leach in the XXX goal.

Brakes could easily have been three ahead within quarter of an hour with the Brakes' fans old friend, Neal Leach, having an excellent game between the sticks. First he saved from Richard Adams when he was through in the 10th then blocked what looked like a certain goal in the 12th. In the 24th Blake was set up by Richard Adams but again Brakes were thwarted by Leach.

With Morgan's silky skills at the hub of the forward movement, and Anderson, Blake and Richard Adams combining well up front supported by the powerful Herlihy, this was one of the best displays of attacking football that Brakes have produced this season. And with Tank winning everything in the air, Ben Adams mopping up anything that moved and Steve Smith fitting in so well on his debut the defence looked secure in as complete a team performance as I've seen.

Blake shot across the goal in the 34th and Morgan created further chances but Brakes went into the break with only the one goal to show for all their efforts. But as they have never been more than one goal ahead at half-time in all the other wins this was not seen as a problem.

In fact the expected avalanche appeared to be on its way in the 50th minute when a tremendous strike by Richard Adams struck the underside of the bar, hit the back of the floundering Leach on its way down and still failed, somehow, to completely cross the line. But the Brakes' engine faltered in the 54th as Herlihy picked up a knock and he was replaced by Timms after struggling on for a few more minutes. Richard Adams was close after an interchange with Morgan in the 58th but the fire had gone from Brakes' performance as Pilkington came into the game.

But, as against Bolehall, Brakes had the good fortune to be playing a side that had lost its scoring touch. A long cross was headed well over Morris's bar from in front of goal in the 72nd and Pilkington seemed unable to get clear shots on target. Howell came on for the tiring Richard Adams and started to buzz up front. 1-0 never seems enough but the command shown by the defence, with Tank a rock (if a Tank can be a rock) in the centre, made the defence look impregnable even without Simon Walker.

Although the second half could best be described as a stuttering performance Brakes nearly notched a couple of late goals when Blake was just wide after good work by Howell and Howell, himself, sent a crashing 30yd drive just wide in the 87th. Although some fans are disappointed at Brakes not winning every game at least 6-1 this was a very creditable performance against a good Pilkington side who will win more than they lose and were only beaten for the first time last Wednesday.

Leamington: Richard Morris; Mark Anderson; Ben Adams; Steve Smith; Darran Tank; Chris Hanrahan; Stuart Herlihy (Darren Timms 57); Leon Morgan; Josh Blake; Richard Adams (Ryan Howell 74); Steve Thompson [Capt]
Subs Not Used: Phil Daly

Team News: Simon Walker missed through family commitments; David Care injured, prognosis unknown; Niels Kristensen still having knee problems; Martin Thompson set back a month by knock playing for Whitnash; Tom Friend suspension; Simon Wickson and others getting match fit with Whitnash Town; no prognosis on Glen Webb's knee but missed today through holiday (2nd week) anyway; Lee Lavery still injured, prognosis unknown.
New signing after the match, Richard Adams younger brother, Jonathan, a 19 year-old midfielder put pen to paper. Previous clubs, we believe, are Stafford Rangers and Rushden & Diamonds, but more on that when we know.