Not Beautiful But Young Brakes Make It Three In a Row

This was not the "beautiful game"; too much was at stake for both teams and a brisk, cold wind made it difficult for players and the 52 supporters. But young Brakes, and their fans, will care little for the method as they won their 3rd game in a row with their second double. And for the first time since September two different players scored in a league match, Bhangal, his first for the club, equalising an early Moor Green strike then Wright who slotted the winner late in the second half.

Young Brakes move up a place but are still in a relegation position and need to beat Boldmere at home and, probably, get at least three points from their two remaining away games at Hinckley, next Wednesday, and Gornal. But with the fight they showed this evening there is now an expectation that they will do it.

Moor Green made the early running with a brisk wind behind them as Brakes, with a full squad to choose from and probably their best side out, made a stuttering start perhaps undone by the importance of this must-win game. Morgan made a good save in the 7th and Moor Green went close again soon after. In the 15th minute Moor Green went 0-1 ahead after route 1 football, starting from the goalkeeper, was swept in the Brakes' net past a static defence.

But this seemed to wake up young Brakes who fought back into the game. The football was not pretty with both teams making too many mistakes, and the Brakes' equaliser reflected the nature of the game. A free kick from Kitchen was narrowly missed by McKinley and the much improved Bhangal appeared from nowhere in a crowded goalmouth to knock the ball home, 1-1 in the 21st.

Powell was an early casualty being replaced by Attwood in the 23rd but Brakes continued to drive at the Moor Green goal though their shooting was awry and posed little threat. The danger was that Moor Green had a couple of very quick players but their shooting was no better. Morgan made a tremendous stop in the 26th, which may have saved the game, but it was Brakes who were making more chances and so were more likely to score according to the percentages game. The half ended with half-chances for McKinley, Lewis and three for the busy Wright.

The already strong breeze became brisker in the second half, blowing towards the North Bank in Brakes' favour, and affected the game as Moor Green found it harder to move upfield than had Brakes in the first half. Lewis had an excellent chance in the 46th when clear on goal but the chance was wasted.

The football became more erratic with shooting from both sides showing no improvement. But it was noticeable that Moor Green were now giving the ball away more often. Then, finally, the industriousness of the excellent Wright paid off. My notes show that he was just short of a final touch in the 76th and 77th as a strong wind whipped the ball away, but in the 78th a slide-rule Kitchen pass sent Wright on goal and he drove a low shot into the corner past the advancing 'keeper, 2-1.

Moor Green's heads went down which played into the hands of a, now, effervescent Brakes and the visitors rarely threatened after that. But at the other end Lewis was unlucky to have a shot kicked off the line and a McGarvey free-kick was just too high as Brakes played out the remaining minutes.

Leamington Youth: Richard Morgan; Paramdeep Bhangal; Jamie Coleman; David Ward; James Lockyer; Ashley Kitchen; Andy McKinley [Capt]; Kevin McGarvey; Joe Wright; Chris Lewis (Sean Rellis 84); Ashley Powell (Dale Attwood 23)
Sub(s) Not Used (2 From 5 Used): Tom Heath; Anvinder Thiara; Simon Goodall

Team News: Ashley Powell was replaced because of foot blisters which may keep him out for subsequent games.