Brakes Bounce Back to Overcome Oadby

After the emphatic reverse at Oldbury United, Brakes needed a convincing performance ahead of next Saturday's FA Cup tie in the Potteries. Any latecomers in the crowd of 462 enjoying the warm Autumn evening would have missed Richard Adams's strike in only the second minute that set up a narrow victory over a strong and well-organised Oadby side.

Brakes opened by playing down the slope to the Harbury Lane end and, in the very first attack, Josh Blake chased a long ball which looked destined to go over the line. He won a corner for his efforts which was taken by Jon Adams and, with the Oadby defence failing to clear properly, Richard Adams shot into the roof of the net from outside the penalty area, 1-0 in the 2nd minute. Blake nearly added a second in the 7th minute, but his rasping left foot shot just went wide.

Oadby's first goal attempt came on 18 minutes with a free-kick that went past the post. Andy Stidder brought a good save from highly-rated 19-year-old 'keeper Laurie Pearson on 36 minutes and, with half-time approaching, Richard Adams showed blistering pace to go clear of the visitors' defence, only to put his shot straight at Pearson.

Oadby came at Brakes at the start of the second half and caused a few heart flutters as they worked some good openings. However, having only scored three times in their previous four matches, finishing didn't look their strong point and so it proved with some clear-cut chances going begging. Much of the second half fell flat, although Brakes pressed again near the end with long-range shots from Jon Adams and Blake (after Pearson had raced from his goal and failed to gather) that could have brought a second for Brakes.

As it was, there was some relief at the win and promise for the future in the performance of Stuart Herlihy (welcome back) and the imminent return from injury of Kristian Kelsall. Richard Morris gave a sound performance back in goal, but his rather severe haircut seemed a bit drastic just to catch the manager's attention after recent appearances on the bench.

Jason Cadden described himself as "much happier" than on Saturday, adding "we bounced back with a disciplined performance against a good side. It was a smashing goal from Richard and we kept a clean sheet to clinch the win."

Leamington: Richard Morris; Jon Adams; Russell Dodd (Ryan Parisi 60); Tom Sidwell; Darran Tank; Stuart Herlihy (Paul Nicholls 70); Ryan Howell; Leon Morgan [Capt]; Richard Adams; Andy Stidder (Paul Eden 78); Josh Blake
Subs Not Used: Ben Usher; Paul Shepherd

Oadby Town: Laurie Pearson; Chris McCathie; Jamie March [Capt]; Ross Blockley; Nick Matthews; Adam Hart; Gary Moult; Ashley Warner; John Chapman; Aarren Butcher; Steve Frain; Carl Bacon; Andy Almond; Kevin Ward; Matt Howarth; Danny Pickering

Attendance 462

Players' News: Steve Thomson still has a plate in his toe which is causing some discomfort and Steve Smith will be missing for a while following an operation; Alex Rodman on family holiday, back soon.

Other News: Before the match, MFA Vice Chairman Michael Penn presented the Team of the Month Award for August which his company, Moldwell Products Ltd, sponsors.