Impressive!

A goodly crowd for an early evening ko in Stratford saw plenty of interest in pleasant surroundings with the crowd mostly along one side in dappled shade though the shade didn't stretch as far as the pitch where the players sweltered in the hot sunshine.

There were some old friends, many of them ex-Leamington players now with Whitnash, and some new faces. A goalless first half saw an excellent save from ex-Rugby United 'keeper, Paul Shepherd, after Howell set up the chance for Richard Adams.

There were several new faces to look at in the second half but first to make an impression was an old hand, the quicksilver Josh Blake who also despatched the first goal, a penalty after Leon Morgan was upended in the 47th. Last season's penalty-taker was in the Whitnash goal at the time so this was one not to miss.

Brakes were well on top in the second half showing an impressive level of fitness and starting to play the ball around on a good pitch. The next goal was excellent with Blake threading through an inch-perfect pass for Martin Thompson to slide in past the "despairing" Morris in the 68th. A reply from Whitnash's Krishan Kumarasinghe in the 86th had Caddsie muttering darkly about "set pieces" and "extra training".

All the new players impressed. Ben Usher will score goals once he settles in and both Rob Hipkiss and Kristian Kelsall took the eye with mature performances. Alex, surely someones knows his name?, was particularly impressive as he picked up the pace of the game with Paul Shepherd probably impressing most of all with a solid, commanding performance between the sticks and some outstanding saves which the players on the bench pointed out to Richard Morris in case he wasn't watching.

And then, of course, there was Martin Thompson looking fit, strong and full of goals after a long absence. David Care is also back training, as is Darran Tank, both after operations and Andy Harper should be fit again soon after having a Tonka toy dropped on his toe at a family barbecue! The only downers are that Ben Adams has accepted a teaching job in the London area starting in September (congrats Ben, it's a downer for Brakes, not you) and that Stuart Herlihy has yet to sign and may not.

And welcome to the Southam United contingent, including Curly! Be there Tuesday.

Leamington From: Starting - Richard Morris (GK); Ryan Parisi; Simon Walker; Tom Sidwell; Steve Smith; Andy Gregory; Jon Adams; Leon Morgan; Richard Adams; Paul Nicholls; Ryan Howell
Coming On: Paul Shepherd (GK); Ben Usher; Josh Blake; Kristian Kelsall; Rob Hipkiss; Alex ?; Martin Thompson; Paul Eden

Whitnash Town Included: Paul Shepherd (1st half), Richard Morris (2nd half), Jamie Coleman (all Brakes) plus new boys Darren Timms and Nick Mort and several others who've played for Brakes in the past.