Brakes Lose Two-Goal Lead To Share Spoils With Willenhall

Brakes held a two-goal lead against Southern League outfit Willenhall Town midway through the first half, but in the end had to settle for a share of the spoils in this entertaining pre-season friendly.

A Turneresque sky provided the perfect backdrop to a New Windmill Ground at its best and the crowd of 279 were entertained from the outset. Brakes took the lead in the 5th minute when Leon Morgan rose to head on a cross from the left and Kristian Kelsall was equally adept with his header placing the ball high and wide of visiting 'keeper Paul Fellows (1-0).

The lead was doubled in the 23rd as this time Ryan Howell met another cross from the left supplied by the hardworking Josh Blake and controlled the ball well under pressure before slotting past Fellows (2-0).

With the match seemingly under control, it was a defensive mistake that let the visitors back in. In the 29th Richard Morris elected to punch away a cross that looked his for the taking and, despite a block on the line to thwart the first attempt on goal, Dean Perrow followed up to score (2-1).

Brakes had the ball in the net in the 37th minute, but the effort was disallowed for some pushing in the penalty area and then Fellows got down well to thwart Richard Adams. With the interval approaching, Adams beat two defenders, but his rising shot just cleared the crossbar as it sailed into the North Bank. On the stroke of half-time, Steve Thompson put Blake through but, once again, Fellows was up to the task.

The many changes to the Brakes line-up in the second period did not seem to interrupt the rhythm of play and Ben Usher and Martin Thompson both looked sharp. Young Andrew Stidder from Banbury made his debut up front and, by all accounts, is keen to play for the club. Paul Shepherd had replaced Morris in goal at the start of the half and made a flying save in the 67th minute to keep the Brakes' lead intact. However, he was powerless to stop Chad Shepherd levelling the scores in the 70th minute (2-2).

With twelve minutes to go, a good move involving Usher, Stidder and Martin Thompson deserved more than just a corner and Brakes finished the match the stronger side, but without being able to clinch victory.

Andy Gregory looks fit and back to his old self prior to his unhappy move across town and Blake again displayed all the battling qualities that we have come to expect. Ryan Howell is growing in confidence and starting to look as if he can really bridge the gap from youth to first team football. Of the new signings, Kelsall looks the best on performances so far.

The starting line-up was probably close to Manager Jason Cadden's preferred one (in a 4-4-2 formation), although there are no clues as whether Shepherd or Morris will start in goal. Stuart Herlihy was at the match and will start training on Thursday, but without commitment as to the future. I am not alone in hoping that the temptation to play becomes too great to resist.

No quote from the Manager this time, but I am sure he would have said that it was another good workout, but he was disappointed in giving away a sloppy goal to let Willenhall back in. The lads will be working on this in training on Thursday.

Leamington: Richard Morris (Paul Shepherd 46); Rob Hipkiss (Ryan Parisi 55); Steve Thompson; Steve Smith (Darran Tank 55); Andy Gregory; Leon Morgan [Capt] (Steve Rule 69); Jon Adams (Andrew Stidder 63); Kristian Kelsall (Martin Thompson 55); Richard Adams; Ryan Howell (Ben Usher 60); Josh Blake

Willenhall Town: Paul Fellows; Shaun Derry; Luke Bradley; Greg Elland; Craig Heaney; Jamie Petty; Chad Shepherd; Mark Swann; Scott Voice; Dean Perrow; Phil Rowe