Unbeaten Run Ends at Hinckley

Hinckley have now won five of eight home matches, drawing against the team in 4th and losing to the two top teams. And, for a while, it looked as if they might swamp young Brakes who were two down in 20 minutes with the defence in disarray. But they fought back to deny Hinckley further goals and "won" the second half with a McKinley penalty. Coleman had already rattled the bar but luck deserted Brakes in the end, when a point, at least, seemed likely. They can go into their final two games against lowly opposition in good heart knowing that six points might be enough with Bedworth and Quorn cancelling out each other in a 0-0 draw. Tom Heath made a promising debut in goal, coming off the bench, and looked a class act in the 15 minutes he was on the pitch.

The dilapidated stadium at Leicester Road looked and felt like the demolition men were moving in soon, which is indeed the case. If it hadn't been spring-like and windless I'm sure it would have rattled with ghosts of players past whistling tunelessly. The bar was only selling bottles as it wasn't seen as worthwhile putting on draught. The turnstiles next to the rotting, wooden stand were missing, not that it mattered because there were holes in the fence big enough for a team coach. The pitch was in good condition though the lights were strange with large, dark patches interspersed with very bright areas like spotlights on a stage.

Into the limelight stole the lanky Lockyer as Brakes, looking the better side for 15 minutes, nearly took an early lead. Hinckley were panic-prone at the back but their forwards were a different story and Brakes defence looked strangely vulnerable after a four game unbeaten run in which they had played the major role.

A corner from the right was nodded home, unchallenged, by a Hinckley forward for 1-0 in the 17th minute and three minutes later, in the 20th, it was 2-0 as Brakes' defence parted for a queue of Hinckley forwards to form, one of whom gave Morgan no chance.

But young Brakes show resilience against such misfortune these days and Wright nearly tipped the ball over the advancing 'keeper in the 23rd then screwed his shot just wide in the 32nd. Powell, looking resplendent in new, red boots, seems to improve with each game and started to create danger out wide on an extremely wide pitch. The half ended with Wright wriggling past several defenders to set up McGarvey who drove just over the bar.

Whatever gremlins had assailed Brakes at the start were sorted in the interval with Wright heading over from a good Coleman cross in the 55th and Lockyer heading back to Morgan in fine style as the defence looked strong once more. Brakes rang the changes with a double substitution in the 71st and Powell earnt a free kick just in front of the box minutes later which was wasted. Coleman rattled the crossbar in the 78th with a power drive from 25yds as Brakes continued to dominate.

In the 79th minute 15-year old Tom Heath replaced Morgan in goal for his club debut. In the 15 minutes, or so, he was on the pitch his handling was superb, he came out well and his kicking was immense. the fans' fears for one so young in such a vulnerable position soon evaporated as his apparent confidence allayed all such concerns.

At the other end Brakes continued to press and a handling offence in the area gave McKinley the opportunity to smash home an unstoppable penalty, 2-1 in the 85th. Brakes surged forward creating several chances but leaving themselves exposed at the back and it took an excellent save from Heath in the 88th, turning the ball round the post from a clear shot in front of goal, to keep Brakes in with a chance until the final whistle.

Leamington Youth: Richard Morgan (Tom Heath 79); Paramdeep Bhangal (Anvinder Thiara 71); Jamie Coleman; David Ward; James Lockyer; Simon Goodall; Andy McKinley [Capt]; Kevin McGarvey; Joe Wright; Chris Lewis (Masango Mwetaminwa 71); Ashley Powell

Team News: Ashley Kitchen unwell