Missed Chances Cost Brakes Dear In First Draw

Brakes twice fought back to snatch a draw against a robust Tipton side, but several chances went begging which ultimately cost them maximum points.

The Tipton Sports Academy is home to both athletics and football leaving spectators marooned on the wrong side of the running track to properly take in the action. Despite the Brakes travelling faithful swelling the crowd to 213. there was a lack of atmosphere which seemed to subdue players and spectators alike.

Tipton field a tall and uncompromising side who have few pretentions to playing the ball along the ground. The route to goal is straight down the middle, although the home side's opener in the 18th minute came from a perfectly flighted header by Hardip Dhanda which just evaded the outstretched hand of Paul Shepherd to go into the far corner, 1-0. Until then, Brakes had held their own, although both Darran Tank and Alex Rodman had needed to make timely clearances in the opening five minutes.

Andy Gregory had an early long-range shot and the bustling Martin Thompson headed over when well placed. It was Andy Gregory who put Brakes back on level terms in the 26th minute, rising at the far post to meet a Jon Adams corner from the left and head powerfully past Danny Watson, 1-1.

On 33 minutes, Adam Welch crossed from the left, but fortunately for Brakes no Tipton player was on hand to take advantage. Then, Luke Reynolds headed over with only Shepherd to beat and right on half-time, Alex Rodman struck a fierce free-kick that Watson did well to save.

Tipton were back in front within one minute of the restart, as a long punt downfield with the wind caused confusion in the Brakes' defence and Ravi Sangha nipped in to score from close range, 2-1 in the 46th. Jon Adams found himself increasingly the target of some rough tackles and it was from yet another free-kick to Brakes that Martin Thompson smashed the ball into the roof of the net in the 60th to equalise for a second time, 2-2.

Brakes started to buzz now with substitute Ryan Howell running at the Tipton defence with some effect. Josh Blake hit the post and Thompson had a great chance to score his second on 65 minutes, but shot tamely at Watson when in the clear. Adams himself was on the end of a Rodman cross three minutes later but, after controlling the ball and setting himself up for the shot, put his effort over the bar.

Rapinder Gill fouled Howell in the 71st minute and Rodman's stunning free-kick was well palmed away by the busy Watson. Adams again had a good chance to score from a Leon Morgan cross and, in the dying seconds, Steve Smith's header was smothered by Watson to deny Brakes a deserved winner.

Leamington: Paul Shepherd; Alex Rodman; Darran Tank; Steve Smith; Andy Gregory; Stuart Herlihy; Jon Adams; Leon Morgan [Capt]; Martin Thompson (Morton Titterton 71); Andy Stidder (Ryan Howell 56); Josh Blake
Subs not used: Ryan Parisi; Kristian Kelsall; Paul Eden

Tipton Town: Danny Watson [Capt]; Rapinder Gill; Linton Bailey; Ross Miller; Hardip Dhanda; Adam Welch (Tim Johnson 71); Scott Stevenson; Jasvinder Singh; Ravi Sangha; Luke Reynolds; Jason Smith (Ashley Langford 76)
Subs not used: Morgan Hurley; Wesley Cox

Attendance 213

Players' News: Stuart Herlihy's suspension is confirmed at 35 days and is Monday 31 October thru Sunday 4 December 2005; Ben Usher has been transferred to Stourport Swifts and Russell Dodd has also gone to Swifts, but on loan "to get fit"