Brakes' Youth In Relegation Spot After Season's Heaviest League Defeat

Young Brakes slumped to their second 4-0 defeat at Sutton on consecutive Thursdays but this time it was the league; and a rare win by Bedworth at Quorn moves them above Brakes who are now in the relegation zone. Sutton have a 100% league record, so this result is not too unexpected, but for a time Brakes looked as if they could pull off a surprise so the collapse of will after they conceded the second goal was disappointing. They must now pull themselves together for the second half of the season and, particularly, the visit of 2nd place Kidderminster next Monday. Brakes drew 5-5 at Harriers earlier in the season and, arguably, only lost two points to a late equaliser after losing a man through a spot of shirt-lifting! They are capable of beating any team in this league, except perhaps Sutton, but it won't happen if the collective will is not there.

Just 17, Dale Attwood made his debut after being signed from Evesham United and Chris Lewis was looking for a celebration on his 18th birthday; but the M6 is a party-pooper and a 4-car pile-up meant that the team-coach arrived with only 40 minutes to spare. It seemed a good deal colder than when we left Leamington and there was already a white rime on the pitch.

Nevertheless it was a bright start by young Brakes and, although Sutton always looked dangerous on the break, they were making forced errors with both Wright and Cromwell having early chances. Wright will score soon; he shot a little too quickly in the 15th and looked strong and impressive when he dropped his shoulder and went past a Sutton defender in the 29th. Attwood was controlling the right side and Powell, looking ever more dangerous as he grows in confidence, set up Cromwell in the 37th with an astute pass.

There were signs that Brakes were more than holding their own and the fans were musing on the possibility of 0-0 at the break with the enhanced confidence that would bring. But there is no relaxing with Sutton and, suddenly, they were ahead. An attacker got goal-side of McKinley and Brakes forgot they were meant to be doubling-up on defensive duties. The forward broke at speed and Morgan came out to block his shot; but with no-one running back to help, and Morgan on the ground, he had time to pick up the rebound and slot home, 1-0 in the 39th.

For 20 minutes at the start of the second half Brakes played some of their best football. Mwetaminwa was battling to win the ball in midfield and Lewis and Wright looked a lively partnership up front. Sutton were not clearing the ball and their frustration was growing. When they did break Morgan was equal to everything thrown at him. At this point Brakes looked good for, at least, a point. But what happened next probably summed up both teams and why they are at opposite ends of the table.

Sutton are good; that is beyond doubt. They have seven players in the Birmingham County FA squad. They play a little like the old Wimbledon and you either fight it or succumb. With Brakes on the attack a misplaced pass was picked up by Sutton, lashed upfield to space on the right, and a fleet-of-foot forward ran through to slip the ball superbly past Morgan, 2-0 in the 67th.

Disheartening, yes, a bolt from the blue, "could've been 1-1, now it's 2-0", all that. But this is where the more successful teams knuckle-down, swallow the disappointment, and fight back. In the 72nd it was 3-0, again a big thump upfield after a misplaced Brakes' pass and the ball was despatched into Brakes' net. Who knows what the outcome would have been if Powell's superb volley in the 80th after a Rellis pass had gone in instead of rebounding from the inside of the post but, again, Sutton didn't stop to admire or discuss breaking immediately to force home another, 4-0 in the 81st. Rellis and Thiara, both off the bench, showed late spirit, and Cromwell was unlucky to have a goal-bound shot beaten out in added time but it was all too late.

Leamington Youth: Richard Morgan; Simon Goodall; Jamie Coleman; Dale Attwood; Andy McKinley [Capt]; Masango Mwetaminwa (Anvinder Thiara 87); Ashley Powell; Will Cromwell; Joe Wright; Chris Lewis (Sean Rellis 71); Tom Leaver
Sub(s) Not Used (2 From 4 Used): Paramdeep Bhangal; Luke Warby

Team News: McGarvey still injured and Ashley Kitchen slight knock; Dave Ward had to work; James Lockyer had personal commitment. Chris Lewis was 18 on the night - Happy Birthday Chris.