Howell Shines but Brakes Shot Down by Penalties

There were dark memories of Brakes' opener, when they lost 5-0 at Meir in the league, which the overcast sky and heavy pitch did little to allay. Only three players who started Brakes match last Tuesday kicked off but Tank, Smith and Martin Thompson, all returning from unavoidable absence, can all consider themselves 1st team players so this was a good side despite this cup being lower on Brakes' priorities than the league and the money-spinning Vase.

The first half is, probably, best dismissed as soon as possible. In the opening minutes, as the ball landed in front of me like a sock filled with custard it was clear that this pitch was not conducive to Brakes flowing football. Mistakes were made and it took Brakes much of the first half to adjust their game.

Nevertheless, as with the first league game, Brakes could easily have been in front in the opening period. Anderson was close with a header from a Martin Thompson cross then with a drive after good work by Martin Thompson and the Adams brothers. But it was Meir who took the lead when a free kick from the right was headed home by an unmarked forward, 1-0 in the 23rd. Little else went right for Brakes in the rest of the half, though Richard Adams and Nicholls might both have scored, and it was with some relief that half-time came with only one goal in it.

The second-half was a different story as Brakes threatened the Meir goal and looked more secure at the back. They seemed to have adjusted to the soggy pitch and the humps upfield, though less pretty, were more effective. But things really took a turn for the better when ex youth striker, Howell, came on and ran over the mud as if he was on a running track; ah! Youth. Still it looked as if the goal wouldn't come but, in the 80th minute Howell, released by a superb Anderson pass, ran to the line and crossed for Jon Adams to smash home, 1-1.

Now it was all Brakes as they attempted to finish it in the 90 minutes with the crowd praying for an early release from the now, spattering rain with a long journey home and no-one relishing extra time. But, despite Parisi netting an offside "goal" and Howell looking like he would round things off on his own, the 90mins finished at 1-1.

Brakes turned the screw and the small (for Brakes) crowd of only 113 sensed victory. In the 93rd Nicholls picked out Howell who ran direct at goal and was clearly brought down in the area. Astonishingly nothing was given. Then, at the start of the second period, in the 106th minute, Howell, again, got past everyone on the right to set up a scoring opportunity for Richard Adams who, uncharacteristically, screwed his shot wide from in front of the goal.

As the minutes ticked away that man Howell nodded in a Jon Adams cross to put Brakes 1-2 up in the 115th minute. Two minutes later the irrespressible Howell was brought down again running into the box but this time a penalty was given. With the crowd anticipating certain victory, and only three minutes on the clock, Jon Adams reprised his excellent spot-kick at Massey but, this time, sent it just outside the post. Perhaps, inevitably, for sometimes football can be cruel, this was a signal for Meir, who hadn't threatened for most of the second-half or extra time, to break and notch the equaliser, 2-2 in the 119th. There was just time for Richard Adams to bring a point-blank save as penalties beckoned.

A brilliant save from Morris denied Meir's first attempt and Nicholls converted to put Brakes one up. But though Jon Adams, bravely after his earlier miss, strode up to score the perfect penalty the other three Brakes' attempts were saved. Morris made another brilliant save but Meir scored the last of their five, though so nearly stopped by Morris, and Meir ran out 3-2 winners on penalties, a win that had seemed so unlikely for most of the game and that clearly delighted them. We wish them well in the subsequent rounds.

Leamington: Richard Morris; Jonny Burgess (Ryan Parisi 62); Darran Tank; Steve Smith; Tom Sidwell; Daz Timms [Capt]; Jon Adams; Mark Anderson; Martin Thompson (Ryan Howell 62); Paul Nicholls; Richard Adams
Sub(s) Not Used: Harj Dhesi