Burgers and Quiches All Round As Pershore Succumb To Brakes' Persistence

This was the kind of match when expectation weighed heavily on the Midland Combination Premiership leaders. Unbeaten in league matches since the middle of October, three points at Pershore Town should not have been too difficult a task. However, an uneven and holding pitch coupled with a strong wind in the opposition's favour in the first half made it more of a struggle than many had expected. The travelling contingent who made up most of the 204 strong crowd went home happy with three points that takes the Brakes nearer their target of promotion at the third time of asking.

There were two changes from the team that defeated challengers Bloxwich Town the week before. Jon Adams came in for the suspended Leon Morgan and club skipper Steve Thompson returned on the left in place of the injured Josh Blake. Brakes had the better of the early exchanges with Paul Nicholls and Richard Adams combining well up front. However, it was the returning Jon Adams who had the best chance on 15 minutes, but home 'keeper Michael Harris was up to the task making a good save. Adams himself took the resultant corner and, with the church bells chiming in the background, up stepped Andy Gregory to head home powerfully from close range for his sixth goal of the season, 0-1 in the 15th.

Two minutes later, Harris saved well from Nicholls before, on 23 minutes, the industrious Brakes striker headed over from another Adams corner.

Pershore equalised very much against the run of play. In the 27th minute, Ben Adams was adjudged to have committed a foul (I leave those fans present to make up their own minds as to why) and Andrew Hodgetts sent over a free-kick from the left that went with the wind over Richard Morris onto the far post and across the line, 1-1.

Nicholls had a golden opportunity to put Brakes back in the lead on 38 minutes when he picked up a cross from the right by Richard Adams but, with time to spare, he tried to chip Harris and allowed the 'keeper time to save. Adams then went on another of his runs down the right cutting into the penalty area, but Harris was again able to save.

All to play for in the second half and, within six minutes of the restart, an inswinging corner from the right by Steve Thompson was only partially cleared and Ben Adams struck a mighty shot from fully 25 yards out to restore the lead, 1-2 in the 51st. Veteran Pershore defender Colin Fulloway was sent off for striking Chris Hanrahan leaving the Brakes player with a swelling under his left eye. Then Hanrahan himself was booked for kicking the ball away after the referee had awarded Pershore a free kick in the 62nd minute.

There was plenty more action to come. Richard Adams found himself with space to spare, but blasted the ball high and out of the ground. Stuart Herlihy was booked for a tackle which seemed strong, but not dirty, before forcing Harris to make a good save with a header form yet another inswinging Thompson corner. Finally, substitute Darren Timms rose majestically to meet a Jon Adams cross from the left and head home into the top corner beyond the outstretched hand of Harris right on 90 minutes, 1-3.

Should promotion come this time (and there are still ten matches to go, all of which are potential banana skins) then I will miss the catering at Pershore, especially the excellent quiches. Two have been safely tucked away in the freezer for the summer and, judging by the queue for the burgers, I am not alone in appreciating the cuisine.

Reflecting on the match, Manager Jason Cadden pronounced himself satisfied, saying "It was a difficult pitch, but we worked hard and scored three quality goals. The win keeps our unbeaten run going as we enter the final quarter of the season. We will be up for Coleshill Town and want to put the record straight."

Brake's last league defeat came at the hands of Coleshill Town who are the visitors to the New Windmill next Saturday The other two away defeats (at Meir KA and Barnt Green Spartak) have been avenged and there will be no need to give the players a pep talk for this one.

Leamington: Richard Morris; Ben Adams; Darran Tank; Steve Smith; Andy Gregory; Chris Hanrahan; Stuart Herlihy; Jon Adams; Richard Adams; Paul Nicholls (Darren Timms 83); Steve Thompson [Capt]
Sub(s) Not Used: Jonny Burgess; Simon Walker

Pershore Town: Michael Harris; Jamie Bird; Andrew Ogg; Adam Ward; Colin Fulloway; Nathan Flint; Andrew Biddle [Capt]; Richard Biddle; Lee Bluck; Andrew Hodgetts; Mark Bellam (Paul Workman 77)
Subs Not Used: Matthew Hirons; Paul Dugdale

Team News: Josh Blake still suffering from knee injury and broke down in training; Leon Morgan missed through 1st of 3 weeks suspension.