Broken Leg Mars Brakes' Victory

Persistent rain all day kept the crowd down to 222 and made the pitch slippery. Brakes were 0-1 down by the second minute but pulled back to go in at the interval 4-1 with goals by Sleem, Blake, Morgan and Richard Adams. Simon Walker was replaced early in the second half, after picking up an injury, and the necessary readjustment gave the attack more to do at the back and unsettled the defence who conceded a goal in the 80th, 4-2. But Brakes still looked like adding to their tally when Dudley's 'keeper raced out of goal in the 84th, conceding a free kick in denying Steve Thompson, but broke his leg in two places. The game resumed half-an-hour later after Stefan Jones had been taken to hospital by ambulance. With "9 minutes to play" Dudley snatched a late goal just before the final whistle, 4-3. Bloxwich lost at home to the Police so Brakes are back on top with only Marconi, 10 points and four games a drift, able to catch them on games in hand; a good night's work marred by Stefan's horrific injury.

With the rain teeming down the crowd suffered a rather wet goal in the 2nd minute when Morris seemed to have gathered a corner but the ball ran loose and was prodded home, 0-1. Brakes were nearly on terms within a minute when a Blake shot was turned round for a corner but with Dudley looking dangerous on the break fears were allayed when Sleem crashed home a drive from just outside the box after Blake had headed against the bar, 1-1 in the 14th.

The Dudley defence were prone to panic and Brakes went ahead when Steve Thompson took a short corner to Ben Adams whose cross was slotted home by Blake for 2-1 in the 19th. With Brakes now well on top Steve Thompson chased a "lost cause" to the line and crossed for Leon Morgan to make it 3-1 in the 31st with a shot from a waist-high ball that would have defeated most players at this level. As Brakes threatened to run riot Richard Adams scored a trade-mark goal to make it 4-1 in the 34th when he ran half the length of the field turning inside defenders before stroking home. Two more chances, for Richard Adams and Blake, went close in the 39th and 44th.

The wet fans anticipated the second half with some glee and a magnificent move initiated by Ben Adams in the 54th saw Sleem step over the ball which ran to Richard Adams; he slipped a pass to Blake whose drive was somehow kept out by the 'keeper for what would have been a goal to savour. But the game changed when Walker left the field in the 56th after suffering a slight pull. Richard Adams went to wing-back and Paul Eden came on to go up front with Ben Adams now filling in as sweeper. But the momentum was lost with Ben Adams now not able to go forward and Richard Adams having defensive duties.

There were still chances for Sleem and Blake who battled well up front but the creative spark went with Leon Morgan who also went off with a pull although the crowd welcomed back from injury the influential Herlihy. Morris made a save in the 69th and Dudley "scored" an offside "goal" in the 76th as Brakes were pegged back by a resurgent Dudley. In the 80th it was 4-2 when a free kick from the left of the box bamboozled the defence.

But Brakes seemed to have done enough and, in the 84th, Steve Thompson set off on goal at speed with a defender in hot pursuit. The 'keeper sprinted from goal and met Thompson with his feet at the same time as a push in the back from the pursuing defender sent Thompson careering out of control. There was a hideous crack that could be heard around the ground and a boot flew into the air, it transpired, from Thompson's foot. The Dudley 'keeper, Stefan Jones, stayed down and an ambulance was called immediately removing the young 'keeper to hospital some half-hour later.

Play resumed with both teams now on 10 men, having used their substitutes, as Steve Thompson also had to leave with an ankle injury. The referee announced that there would be nine more minutes. The free kick, which would have followed a sending-off for the 'keeper if he hadn't suffered such an appalling injury, was scrambled over the bar by the stand-in 'keeper. With nearly 10 minutes gone Dudley snatched a third with the defence in some disarray, 4-3 in, technically, the 90th, but there was barely time to restart a game that had lost its meaning with that injury.

It has to be reported that an individual in the crowd on the North Bank chose to shout "Let him die" at the stricken 'keeper as he lay in the rain in front of the North Bank, the seriousness of the injury already apparent. This appalling behaviour, clearly from a sick mind, upset many other fans some of whom took issue with him in the silent stadium. But this didn't stop him, later, shouting at the 'keeper "Do you want my towel to dry your tears mate?". However, none of the regulars on the North Bank know who he is so we are to presume that he must be an occasional visitor who, with any luck, will not come again. If he does then maybe, next time, those closest to him will say something rather than be shocked into silence.

This was another win on a difficult night in greasy conditions that puts Brakes back on top. 11 wins from 13 in the league (plus a cup win) with a goal difference of eight more than the nearest challenger and 41 goals, an average of more than three a game, is a record that most clubs can only dream about. All this with a squad and management that receive expenses only and not even that prior to this season. And this follows four seasons with two promotions and no position lower than 3rd, with a record 4th round FA Vase appearance as well.

Why do I feel it necessary to recount our successes in such detail? Because a few people, very few maybe but including some who should know better, have taken to telling everyone around them that Jason Cadden should resign, and now some are saying this to Jason and his players as they leave the pitch. These are strange supporters who either don't know the meaning of the word "support" or have an alternative motive. And if they really believe what they're saying then maybe they should change their support to Cloud-Cuckoo City and watch them beat No-Hopers United 6-0 every week instead.

Leamington: Richard Morris; Ben Adams; Simon Walker (Paul Eden 56); Andy Gregory; Darran Tank; Chris Hanrahan; Leon Morgan (Stuart Herlihy 71); Josh Blake; Vernor Sleem (Darren Timms 69); Richard Adams; Steve Thompson [Capt]
Subs Not Used: None

Team News: Both Leon Morgan and Simon Walker had slight pulls and went off as a precautionary measure to better ensure that they are fit for Saturday; Steve Thompson has an ankle injury which seems to be more serious and may yet be sidelined for the game at Coleshill. Dudley 'keeper Stefan Jones has broken his leg in two places, above and below the knee, and will be in hospital seven days with an operation to pin the break soon.