Dynamo dim hopes of closing points gap as Brakes fail to fire

Brakes returned to league action at the Nanpantan Sports Ground and turned in a disappointing performance with a third successive draw that undermined their ambition to close the gap on the leading clubs.

Whilst all eyes have been focussing on the cup ties, Brakes have seen their league programme slip behind and this was only the fourth match to be played since the beginning of October. The first ended in defeat at Coleville and three subsequent draws means a meagre return of only three points out of a possible twelve. Just over a year ago, these two sides locked horns in the FA Vase and, whereas Brakes fielded a number of players from that encounter, Dynamo have completely changed their squad with several young recruits.

Despite the recent rain, the pitch was green and flat, providing the kind of surface that suits Brakes' flowing style of football. The travelling supporters who swelled the crowd to a respectable 223 (well up on Dynamo's average) were looking for a good performance to warm them up on a cold and blustery day. Alas, it didn't come and, at the end, neither side had done enough to deserve a win.

Brakes opened well enough and, in only the 4th minute, a cross from the left by Leon Morgan was not cleared, but Richard Adams drove his shot into a clutch of defenders. At the other end, Richard Morris got down well to gather Carl Lawrence's curling shot and, on 21 minutes, came to Brakes' rescue again with a fingertip save from the lively Nathan Jones.

Dynamo continued to dominate with a flying header from Nathan Winder and a free-kick by Jones going close. As half-time approached, Richard Adams let fly with a stunning shot from outside the penalty area which home 'keeper Chris Gowan did well to save at the foot of the post.

At the start of the second half, Luke Dawkins replaced Dynamo central defender Nathan Winder (who had been booked in the first period for a foul on Morton Titterton) with Daniel Douglas dropping back. In the 55th minute Richard Adams again found several defenders blocking his shot on goal and brother Jon put a shot wide. At the other end, Jones put his effort just past the foot of the post.

On the hour, Morgan appeared to be fouled from behind in the penalty area but, to the dismay of the Brakes' fans, the referee waived play on. Morgan went down again a minute later, but the only outcome was a booking for Jon Adams for dissent. Brakes finally got the ball into the back of the net on 74 minutes when, following a Neil Stacey free-kick, a goalmouth scramble ensued and Jon Adams bundled the ball over the line. However, he was judged to be offside and this seemed to perfectly sum up the day.

The introduction of Alex Rodman gave Brakes a new lease of life but, overall, they did not create enough clear-cut chances. Too often, the forwards were chasing the ball into crowded areas and I am probably not the only one who would like to see Josh Blake pushed further up front where his pace can be damaging.

Manager Jason Cadden remained upbeat about the result and the future, saying "It was a fair result, they had the better of the first half and we were more in contention in the second. We are playing at a higher level of football now and cannot expect to turn up and be given a win. These are tricky places to come and play and this was a good point away from home. I am not too disappointed at the draw as, even with recent cancellations, this was our 26th match of the season. We will look back at the end and say that this was a point gained, not two that we lost."

Loughborough Dynamo Christopher Gowan; Liam Hopkins; Ian Gaunt [Capt.]; Thomas Breward; Nathan Winder (Luke Dawkins 46); Richard Munday; Christopher Davies; Sean Phillips (Sebastian Brimstead 83); Nathan Jones (Philip Miller 89); Carl Lawrence; Daniel Douglas;
Subs Not used: Matthew Dorrian; Graeme Andrews

Leamington Richard Morris; Kristian Kelsall (Alex Rodman 79); Darran Tank; Ryan Parisi; Neil Stacey; Morton Titterton; Jon Adams; Leon Morgan [Capt.]; Richard Adams; Martin Thompson (Ryan Howell 66); Josh Blake
Subs Not used: Steve Thompson; Nick McFarlane; Paul Shepherd

Attendance 223