Brakes Go Clear

With the crowd reduced to 275 by seasonal events, those doomed to wander the shopping malls of Leamington with growing despair missed a treat as Brakes demolished Massey with more ease than the scoreline suggests. An early goal by Richard Adams was matched by a Massey penalty before Gregory restored the lead just before the half hour. Richard Adams snatched his second and Brakes third on 51 before Blake rounded off another superb display with a goal four minutes later. Though there were no more goals this was an entertaining display by a rampant Brakes on a day that included a visit by the air ambulance, thankfully for nothing serious, and another three points for Cadden's men which, with Marconi drawing at home, puts them well clear at the top as an early Christmas present for the happy fans.

A five-man attacking move in the 5th minute involving Nicholls, Richard Adams, Blake and Steve Thompson, promised more Christmas fare and a possible roasting for a Massey side languishing in the bottom half of the table. In the 8th minute Brakes were ahead 1-0 with a cracker when Richard Adams headed home after some acrobatics and an overhead kick by Blake.

Proceedings were delayed for 10 minutes soon after with a visit from the sky when some jolly people (in a helicopter), unable to find a chimney, landed in the field behind the Sheepsiders and then came crashing through the hedge to attend a wounded hero on the North Bank who'd dislocated his shoulder by slipping over. Government warnings about office parties sprang to mind and we do hope that no mistletoe was involved. (Apparently the air ambulance will attend non-serious accidents if already in the area.)

Tank and Smith were in superb form at the back and the powerful Herlihy and silky-skilled Morgan were linking well in midfield. Jon Adams used speed and guile to run past a static Massey defence more than once. But this was no turkey-shoot and, in the 23rd, it was 1-1 when Knott converted a penalty after Herlihy was adjudged to have taken the man rather than the ball though he'd emerged with the ball and there had been no protest from any Massey player. But the referee was right on the spot and this goal was a gift that Brakes could well afford.

From then on Brakes were running the party. Richard Adams was thwarted by a bobble when he seemed certain to score and a Blake strike was turned round for a corner on the right which Steve Thompson took finding the head of Gregory who powered home a header for 2-1 in the 27th. Steve Thompson, in awesome form on the left flank, was whipping in some superb crosses and Brakes nearly scored again within a minute as his cross found Blake who combined with Nicholls to set up Jon Adams for a drive that just cleared the bar. Jon Adams, in superb form, then released brother Richard but the pass was just too strong.

But in the 35th Herlihy saved the day when he scrambled the ball away from in front of a beaten Morris though the Massey strikers generally lacked punch and this was one of their few chances. It was pleasing to note that ex-Brakes' youth stalwart, Ben Rowan at no 7, was one of the successes in a Massey side that is gradually being rebuilt. There were no further goals before half-time but the threat continued from the left with a rampant Steve Thompson creating further chances for Blake, twice, the second after an excellent ball out of defence by Gregory.

Within 10 minutes of the start of the second half Brakes had put the result beyond doubt. Richard Adams made it 3-1 with a precision header in the 51st direct from a Steve Thompson free-kick and then that man Thompson, again, took a corner that was slipped past the 'keeper by Blake in the 55th for 4-1.

Now it was a one-sided affair with Brakes threatening to overrun a Massey defence that had already picked up two yellows. With Martin Thompson (on for namesake Steve), Blake and the Adams brothers all threatening to score it needed a Morgan intervention to clear off the Brakes' goalline in the 72nd as a reminder that there was another side in the game and to show that Morgan has another string to his bow other than controlling the midfield and spraying passes to the feet of the front runners.

Ben Adams came on for Morgan in the 80th to make three Adamses on the field, but there was no bearing of gifts for Massey who were wearing that dog-in-a-manger look of a side that hopes the end comes soon. With some of the crowd baying for 10 Herlihy smashed a shot onto the base of the post and Richard Adams ran half the length of the pitch to slip a perfect pass to Martin Thompson who slotted a difficult chance just wide of the advancing 'keeper but also, agonisingly, just wide of the post as well. Smith was replaced in the final minute by a resting Walker, after feeling a slight strain.

This was another comprehensive home win that maintains Brakes 100% home record in the league. But, as manager Cadden said, every match from now on will be like a cup-tie. Other results, of late, have gone Brakes' way and Marconi dropped two more points in a home draw against Barnt Green. January will be a critical month but a resurgent Southam, 6th in the table, have to be overcome first, on the 28th, and the Saints are no longer a sure-fire six-pointer.

Leamington: Richard Morris: Jon Adams; Darran Tank; Steve Smith (Simon Walker 90); Andy Gregory; Leon Morgan (Ben Adams 80); Stuart Herlihy; Josh Blake; Richard Adams; Paul Nicholls; Steve Thompson [Capt] (Martin Thompson 63)

Team News: Richard Adams has escaped further censure for his sending-off and, apart from a fine, is deemed to "have been punished enough" by his dismissal. Leon Morgan's 21 days, seven for initial offence and 14 for information offered to the refereee on said offence, is still subject to a possible appeal. Few creaks and groans during the match but all complainants professed themselves fit and well afterwards.