Quorn quell Brakes fire in New Windmill stalemate

It is said that all publicity is good publicity and, despite last week's heavy defeat in the FA Cup, the New Windmill hosted this season's largest Midland Football Alliance league crowd of 621. Before the match got underway, James Plaskitt Member of Parliament for Leamington and Warwick together with Roger Wood, Chairman of the Birmingham County FA, presented Alex Rodman with his salver to mark being voted Player of the Round for his two goals against Woodford United.

Quorn may have played more matches than any of the other leading sides but, judged on this performance, they are at the top on merit. Unlike a number of other teams which have met Brakes recently, they did not adopt an overly physical approach, although weren't afraid to disrupt the flow of football in non-dangerous positions. Credit also goes to Referee Neil Radford and his Assistants for keeping on top of play and being prepared to deal with anything outside the rules.

The opening spell belonged to Brakes with the increasingly impressive Ryan Howell in the thick of the action. Despite being in pain from having one of the teeth damaged in the Colchester match removed, he typically ran and chased every ball. Howell was rewarded on 11 minutes when he cut in from the right, beating several defenders, and placing the ball wide of Matthew Nurse to make it 1-0.

Quorn struck back and it took a good saving tackle from Tom Sidwell to keep the visitors out. Then a high cross from the left by Kris Nurse was punched clear by Paul Shepherd who, minutes later, had to make a spectacular finger-tipped save to deny Quorn once again. Danger man Joseph Jonas then drew another good save from Shepherd, but there was a feeling that Quorn's time would come. It didn't take long as, despite two clearances off the line, Michael Smith bundled the ball over on 21 minutes to equalise (1-1).

The visitors should have gone ahead on the half-hour when Kristian Kelsall sliced the ball onto his own crossbar, but the defender reacted quickly to clear the rebound for a corner. This would have been a prime contender for "Own goal of the season" but Lady Luck smiled on Brakes and the match remained all square.

At the other end, Leon Morgan just failed to connect with a cross from the right on 39 minutes and a Jon Adams shot from long range went just over shortly after. The half ended even with the promise of more excitement to come in the Autumn sunshine.

Early in the second period, Nurse saved another Jon Adams shot and then, in 58th minute, the crossbar again came to Brakes' rescue as a Quorn shot dropped onto the top of the woodwork. Almost immediately, slick passing between the Adams brothers nearly brought a goal, but Nurse got down well to save, injuring himself in the process. The busy Richard Adams burst through into the penalty area on 64 minutes, but he shot wide under pressure.

Nurse was again brave five minutes from the end, diving at the feet of Josh Blake as he picked up a cross from the right by Martin Thompson. In a storming finish, Brakes had a succession of corners, but could not get that elusive second goal.

Following Tom Sidwell's departure, it was left to Steve Smith to provide the experience in a defence lacking Andy Gregory and Darran Tank. Neil Stacey performed well and, apart from one incident involving a free-kick in Brakes favour, kept a cool head and made a number of forays into Quorn territory. Captain Leon Morgan again led by example in both defence and attack and Jon Adams put up another display of intelligent passing, exhibiting an almost telepathic understanding with his brother Richard. I last saw the two of them sitting quietly on their own in the main stand at Colchester and, thankfully, that defeat has left no permanent scars.

Morton Titterton was booked for a foul on Joseph Jonas. Quorn had Michael Smith booked following a foul on Richard Adams, Ricky Nurse booked for kicking the ball away after a free kick had been awarded and Kris Nurse sent off in the last minute for use of abusive language at the match officials.

Manager Jason Cadden was satisfied with the draw, saying " We answered a few questions for those who wondered how we would react after last week's FA Cup defeat. We kept plugging away and had a few chances to steal it. Overall, it was a fair result and sets us up nicely for next week's FA Vase tie at Biddulph Victoria."

Leamington Paul Shepherd; Kristian Kelsall (Alex Rodman 79); Steve Smith; Neil Stacey; Tom Sidwell (Ryan Parisi 29); Morton Titterton; Jon Adams; Leon Morgan [Capt.]; Ryan Howell (Martin Thompson 73); Richard Adams; Josh Blake
Subs Not Used; Steve Thompson; Richard Morris

Quorn Matthew Nurse; Darren Grassby; Adam Beazeley; Michael Smith; Ricky Nurse; Mike McLarnon; Karl Brennan (Adrian Greatrex 90); John Folwell; Liam Turner (David Burraway 79); Hoseph Jonas; Kris Nurse
Subs Not Used; Gary Griffiths; James Peryer; Douglas Keast

Players' News Andy Gregory has a bruised foot which is why he missed but he doesn't know how long it'll take, Paul Eden has hamstring problem but again no prognosis,  and Darran Tank has a slight injury which made him unavailable for this game.