Adams stunner seals derby win in front of record crowd

The pitch was, as expected, testing and nothing less than total commitment would suffice. In Morton Titterton, Brakes had a player who combined skill with strength and he was influential in much that the visitors had to offer. His tussles with Darren Beckett earned them both bookings but, although there were some robust challenges from both sides, referee Mr Attwell kept a grip on proceedings.

Racers posed a threat down both wings with Scott Lower and Leon Thomas combining well on the right as early as the second minute. It took a clearance from the increasingly impressive Ryan Parisi to relieve the danger. In the 9th minute, Ryan Howell nearly connected with a poor back-pass and the Brakes striker found himself on the floor shortly after when on a goalbound run. Josh Blake fired the resultant free-kick into the defensive wall.

James Wood broke clear on 19 minutes and this time Darran Tank came to the rescue. With half-time approaching, Richard Morris saved well from Lower and, at the other end, Richard Adams met a Titterton cross from the right, but headed straight at home 'keeper Craig Jones.

Into the second half, it was a much better contest with more end-to-end play. Neil Stacey's free-kick on 57 minutes was easily saved by Jones and, shortly after, Morris got down well to foil the lively Olanipekun close in. Richard Adams shot into a wall of defenders before Jones cleared a shot from Titterton. The Brakes' pressure finally paid off in the 70th minute when Stacey fed Howell out on the right and his cross into the penalty area was met on the volley by Richard Adams whose shot gave Jones no chance.

With nine minutes left, Ben Mackie went clear, but Morris saved well and the minutes ticked by until the final whistle with two more bookings for Racers perhaps showing their frustration at not being able to break down the Brakes' defence.

Brakes' boss, Jason Cadden, summed it all saying "What a game. It was a typical local derby in which we had to battle all the way through. We had to defend to win but, when the chance came, Richard took it superbly. After our last match, this was a late Christmas present for our supporters. We are back on track"

Marcus Law was understandably disappointed, but the Racing Club manager paid tribute to Brakes, saying "Our movement off the ball was at times poor and, when we did get in a shot, they stood up well and defended. We limited them to a few chances, but did not have enough of our own. It was a good one for Leamington to win, a lot was riding on the game in the local area."

Racing Club Craig Jones; Scott Lower; Nick Green; Robert Betts [Capt.]; Ashley Pringle; Tom Stephenson; Leon Thomas (Jermaine Gordon 71); Darren Beckett (Mark Faulds 31); James Wood (Ben Mackie 53); Paul White; Ollie Olanipekun
Subs Not Used: Michael Hayden; Marcus King

Leamington Richard Morris; Jon Adams; Darran Tank; Ryan Parisi; Neil Stacey; Morton Titterton; Stuart Herlihy; Leon Morgan [Capt.]; Richard Adams (Paul Eden 90); Ryan Howell (Martin Thompson 84); Josh Blake
Subs Not Used: Steve Thompson; Kristian Kelsall; Paul Shepherd