Brakes Stun Studley in Super Show

What a start to the season. After dispatching Boldmere St Michaels on the opening day, Brakes put on a superb exhibition of football to maintain their 100% record and delight a bumper crowd of 602 at the New Windmill Ground on Tuesday evening.

Right from the kick-off, skipper Leon Morgan stamped his authority on the game, shooting just wide in the opening minute and then supplying a perfect pass to Richard Adams who drew a good save from visiting 'keepr Craig Johnson. It was fitting then that Morgan should open the scoring and, in the 10th minute, he picked up a cross from the right, turned and shot low past Johnson into the corner of the net, 1-0.

It was all Brakes at this stage and the lead was doubled in the 18th minute when, following a foul on Steve Thompson well outside of the penalty area, Blake placed the resultant free-kick wide of Johnson, 2-0. Studley came back to the attack and Richard Morris made a point-blank save from a Lee Ross header to keep the lead intact. However, in the 34th minute, Brakes went further in front thanks to Richard Adams' blistering speed into the area and a fine finish to put the ball under the advancing Johnson, 3-0.

Steve Thompson and Jon Adams both had opportunities to increase the lead further as half-time approached, but Studley held out to restrict the Brakes advantage to three goals.

After a nervous opening to the second half when Studley tried to claw their way back into the match, Brakes again turned on the style and substitute Ryan Howell tried to lob the advancing Johnson, putting the ball just too high. Richard Adams followed up and the North Bank supporters were convinced that the clearance came from a handball, but the referee gave a goal-kick. Andy Gregory than headed over from an Alex Rodman cross and, with Studley losing their discipline, the visitors ended the match in some disarray with nine men. through injury and the sending off of Anthony Savery for an unacceptable tackle on Rodman.

Manager Jason Cadden was well pleased with his side's performance saying "After Saturday's result, I wasn't sure how the players would react, but they were superb with everyone working hard and playing their part. The defence played well to keep a clean sheet and the team as a whole has settled down really quickly. We have still got a bit to learn, but it has been a smashing start to the season."

It was good to see former players Chris Hanrahan and Barry Shearsby at the match as well as Ben Adams. They all played their part in getting the club to this level and, although there is still a long way to go in this fledgling season, there were a lot of smiling faces leaving the ground to suggest that another big crowd can be expected on Saturday for the visit of former Southern League outfit Rocester.

Leamington: Richard Morris; Kristian Kelsall; Steve Smith; Ryan Parisi; Andy Gregory; Steve Thompson (Alex Rodman 65); Leon Morgan [Capt]; Jon Adams; Richard Adams (Andy Stidder 69); Ben Usher (Ryan Howell 62); Josh Blake
Subs Not Used: Paul Shepherd; Darran Tank

Studley: Craig Johnson; Andrew Smith; Jason Dyer [Capt]; Quentin Townsend; Kieran Cross; Jake Sammons (Robert Ager 33); Vincent Rattray (Anthony Savery 62); Adam Blake; Andrew Grubb (Martin West 69); Lee Ross; Kenny Fergie
Subs Not Used: Aaron Williamson; Tom Goldrick