Brakes Sign Off In Style As Adams Brothers Seal Victory At Griff

Brakes finished their season in style running out convincing winners over Nuneaton Griff at a sun-drenched Pingles Stadium. Two goals from Jon Adams and one from his elder brother Richard broke the home side's resistance and ensured that the Brakes' travelling support had plenty to look forward to in the Travel Factory Midland Alliance next season. Of more immediate concern, however, is next Saturday's encounter against Marbella Reserves in the noon-day sun, something that the late Noel Coward would have had a word or two to say about!

The first half was even as both sides strove to find a way through competent defences. Brakes' first opportunity came on 10 minutes when a poor defensive clearance was picked up by Stuart Herlihy and his long-range shot seemed destined for goal until home 'keeper Paul Grears got back to scramble the ball clear. The returning Josh Blake then had an overhead kick blocked and the ball fell to Richard Adams who sent his effort over the bar.

Griff's Ian Wilson had a chance to open the scoring for his side in the 23rd minute, but was denied by a timely intervention by Ryan Parisi. Three minutes later, Steve Smith pulled back Mark Wright just outside the penalty area, but Richard Morris was up to the mark, tipping the resultant free-kick by Matty Lamb over the bar. Morris then got down well to save from the industrious Wilson and the first half ended all square with neither side really stamping their authority on the match.

The tide turned in Brakes' favour within a minute of the restart when Jon Adams sent a sweetly-stuck left-foot shot into the bottom corner past Grears (0-1) in the 46th. In the 50th minute, Richard Adams doubled the lead heading home from close range after good work by Herlihy (0-2). Any hope for a Griff revival was snuffed out in the 79th minute as Grears could only stand and watch as, following a series of mis-kicks by both forwards and defenders, Jon Adams' speculative shot hit the post on the way into the net (0-3).

Paul Nicholls had two good chances to score a fourth near the end with his shot in the final minute going closest, but coming back off a post. Richard Adams was also unlucky not to add to his single strike, but he will look back at his first season with the club with great satisfaction. Director Jim Scott not only brought a wealth of experience with him when joining the board from West Midlands Police, but also two very talented players in Richard and Jon Adams. Let's hope that they are back next season.

A special mention is due for Darren Timms who came on as a substitute for Herlihy in the 62nd minute. Having been unsure of his place this season, he signed himself on and again played a vital role for the squad, particularly in calming the nerves at Pershore Town with his last-minute goal to give the scoreline a more comfortable look than Brakes probably deserved. However, this is where championship sides show their mettle and, if this turns out to be his last match, Darren can look back on his time with the club with pride.

Thanks also go to the Griff officials for their complimentary comments in the match programme and over the PA system. Their generosity of spirit was appreciated by the crowd of 242 and gave Brakes' fans a fitting farewell to the Midland Combination. Despite the disparaging comments of a few supporters, we should be grateful to Norman Harvey and the Committee who gave us a chance when all we had to show was a field, a set of architect's drawings and a vision of what the New Windmill Ground could look like one day.

The 109 points that the team secured could well stand as a record for some time to come, but that should not detract from the standard of the competition. It has been a tough league to win and only an exceptional side could have achieved the feat that Brakes did this season. The winning margin will be 16 points even if Coventry Sphinx win their remaining match, something that not even the millionaires from Chelsea Village can boast.

Manager Jason Cadden could look back on not just on another victory, but on a season which surpassed even the most of optimistic of predictions. "It was a cracking way to finish and I am proud of the team who have achieved something special this year. We have stayed undefeated in the league since October and April has been a cracking month for goals. To have finished the programme with three clean sheets is also a plus and we are looking forward to starting all over again in August."

Leamington: Richard Morris; Ben Adams; Simon Walker; Steve Smith; Ryan Parisi; Stuart Herlihy (Darren Timms 62); Leon Morgan (Ryan Howell 67); Jon Adams; Richard Adams; Josh Blake; Steve Thompson [Capt] (Paul Nicholls 73)

Nuneaton Griff: Paul Grears; Mick Stanley; Nathan Thompson; Craig Whitmore [Capt]; Ryan Millerchip; Lea Tatton; Ross Genner; Ian Wilson; Dave Aston; Mark Wright; Matty Lamb; Jamie Hammersley; Stuart Deeming; James Ryder

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