"Lightweight" Brakes Smash Four in 35 Minutes

The welcome notes in the Cradley programme quoted "forthright Causeway manager Andy Mole" as saying that, despite his team losing at the NWG (key players missing, etc.), he wasn't impressed with Brakes. Mole said: "I will be surprised if they win the title. They are a lightweight side who are pacy enough but lack the power players that they will need". But the Cradley editor added, tongue in cheek I suspect: "That gives us a little bit of hope then!". Brakes rested Tank and Blake but powered their way into a four goal lead within 35 minutes with strikes from Jon Adams, two from brother Richard and one from Usher before taking their foot off the pedal in the lead-up to Saturday's FA Cup game at the NWG. Despite their poor league position this was only the second league game where Cradley failed to score.

The coach made good time and finally crawled up a steep hill to turn into a car-park with a locked gate into the ground. From a building on the brow of a slope a figure came running, Bates-like, to welcome us to Cradley Town, a first visit for most. An alarming slope on the pitch favoured neither team as it was more across than along but Leamington started at breakneck speed forcing two corners in quick succession as they charged the Cradley goal. From the second corner Jon Adams pulled the ball back to Herlihy who hit a thunderous shot which was beaten out by the 'keeper but the ball came out to Jon Adams who smashed the ball home, 0-1 in the 8th.

Brakes speed was unsettling the Cradley defence and in the 14th a Herlihy pass put Richard Adams on goal; he drew the 'keeper and slipped a beautiful strike just inside the right post, 0-2. With the Cradley defence in disarray Morgan slotted a ball down the right, Howell sent a low cross into the box and Usher swept the ball into the net for his second goal of the season so far, 0-3 in the 18th. This was the goal Usher needed and now he was buzzing as Brakes turned the screw and Cradley crumbled.

Herlihy powered through to force a corner in the 21st but, to their credit, Cradley never gave up and Shepherd had to make an excellent save in the 24th to maintain the clean sheet. Howell and Usher went close with an interchange of passing, all the more commendable on what was an uneven pitch, before another Morgan through ball set up Richard Adams who sprinted clear of the defence and smashed home, 0-4 in the 35th. The half ended with more chances for Brakes as Rodman, Usher and Howell ran riot and Brakes turned on the tricks to please the 135, mostly Brakes', fans.

And that was it really. The job done Brakes easily contained Cradley apart from a stunning Shepherd save in the 81st as Town kept trying for that consolation goal. A free kick by Rodman in front of goal, after Howell had been brought down in the 78th, nearly made it the old five but Brakes could be well-pleased with their night's work as Cadden rang the changes and the players escaped any injuries in readiness for what Cadden called "the biggest game since the club reformed" this coming Saturday in the FA Cup.

Leamington: Paul Shepherd; Jon Adams; Alex Rodman; Tom Sidwell; Andy Gregory (Darran Tank 51); Ryan Parisi; Stuart Herlihy; Leon Morgan [Capt] (Kristian Kelsall 65); Richard Adams; Ben Usher (Paul Eden 76); Ryan Howell
Subs Not Used: Josh Blake; Andy Stidder

Cradley Town: Paul Fellows; Tom Millington (Ivan Smith 56); Patrick Power (Barry Richards 70); Jordan Tipper; Richard Oakley; Mark Smith [Capt]; Matthew Inniss; Stuart How; Andre Whyte (Dan Bailey 61); Danny Campbell; Luke Bradley
Subs not used: Andy Millington

Attendance 135

Players' News: Suspensions: Leon Morgan 7 days Monday 3 thru Sun 9 October; Richard Adams 7 days Monday 10 thru Sun 16 October; Stuart Herlihy 35 days Monday 10 October thru Sunday 13 November
Andy Gregory went off because of stomach muscle strain; Richard Morris available Saturday after injury - RV.