Morris Again the Spot-kick Hero as Brakes Salvage a Point at Heath Hayes

The champagne remains on ice for another week. Needing a win to clinch the Midland Combination title, Brakes were staring defeat in the face until securing a draw thanks to an injury time penalty by Richard Morris. So we move on to next week and the prospect of a bumper New Windmill crowd to (hopefully) see the championship won against Alveston.

Last season, Brakes title aspirations were dealt a severe (and ultimately final) blow by hotshot Nick Wellecomme, whose two goals sealed a 2-1 victory that many fans still believe was the turning point in the season. As the visiting fans making up the majority of Brocton's record attendance of 245 were still taking up their positions, the home side took the lead in the very 1st minute. It was very much a case of deja-vu as a cross from the right by Ben Harrison caused indecision in the Brakes' defence and Wellecomme, Brocton's leading scorer again this year, stole in to put the ball past Richard Morris for the opening goal (0-1).

Within three minutes, the match was all-square. A long punt by Morris was taken by the wind into the Brocton penalty area and, this time, it was the turn of Brocton's reserve team 'keeper Chris Bryant to hesitate allowing Richard Adams to head home (1-1) in the 4th minute. Brakes were now in the ascendancy and could have gone ahead in the 17th minute when the lively Adams met a cross from Leon Morgan only to see his goal-bound shot blocked by defender Gary Tinkler.

This missed opportunity proved costly as, two minutes later, Andy Hume crossed from the left and Wellecomme rose unmarked to head Brocton into a 2-1 lead with his 36th goal of the season, in the 19th. Still Brakes pressed and, on 24 minutes, a Steve Thompson corner was met by Ryan Howell whose header beat Bryant, but was cleared by a defender. Then Jon Adams had a shot blocked before Morgan picked up the ball well outside the penalty area to set himself up for a shot that just rose over the crossbar.

Jon Adams was in the thick of things again in the second half, creating a chance for his brother Richard on 58 minutes and then being booked for dissent after appearing to be harshly judged over a foul. However, the best chance fell to Brocton's Richard Pemberton who blasted over the bar after Wellecomme had robbed Simon Walker. The introduction of Stuart Herlihy added some much-needed bite to the Brakes midfield and it was his run, ended by a foul by player-manager Steve Kneller, that brought an injury time penalty. Just as he had done last week against Highgate United, up stepped Richard Morris to blast the ball home for his third strike of the season and salvage a point that took Brakes to the 100 mark; 2-2 in the 90th. Still this is not enough, as Coventry Sphinx can reach 101 points by winning all their remaining matches. So, the celebrations must wait and the bandwagon rolls back to Harbury Lane next week.

Manager Jason Cadden was realistic in his post-match assessment, saying "We gifted them two goals and, despite having plenty of chances, made life hard for ourselves. I said to the players at half-time to go out and work for a draw and eventually we got the opportunity. Quite honestly, too many players were off-colour and we will have to work even harder against Alveston who will be really fired-up."

Finally, a thank you on behalf of the Club and fans for the friendly welcome and hospitality shown to us by Brocton President Graham Williams, Chairman Brian Townsend and all the Officers. They will soon be moving to a new, permanent home on an eight acre site for which they have secured a 99-year lease. All the best for the future.

Leamington: Richard Morris; Ben Adams; Simon Walker; Steve Smith; Darran Tank; Chris Hanrahan; Leon Morgan; Jon Adams (Stuart Herlihy 63); Richard Adams; Ryan Howell (Paul Nicholls 70); Steve Thompson [Capt]
Sub(s) Not Used: Tom Sidwell

Brocton: Chris Bryant; Craig Millen; Richard Reeves; Steve Lyons [Capt]; Gary Tinkler; Andy Chandler; Ben Harrison; Steve Gregory; Nick Wellecomme; Richard Pemberton; Andy Hume; Ian Brown; Steve Kneller; Lee Bailey

Team News: Gregory rested.