Brakes Youth Overpowered by Hednesford

Young Brakes took an early lead through an own goal before another 140 crowd but slipped to a 1-3 deficit by half time going further behind soon after the restart. Two spectacular headers in five minutes from Vinny Thiara put Brakes back in contention at 3-4 and they could have been all square within three more minutes when Harri only had the 'keeper to beat. But the stronger and bigger Hednesford team powered back into a game they were in danger of conceding to slot two more goals and leave Brakes ruing misses that might have cost them a first win.

Another excellent crowd at an increasingly autumnal New Windmill saw a lively start by young Brakes against a bigger and stronger Hednesford side, newly promoted and already riding high with no defeats. Jordan and Harri put Hednesford on the back foot with some early breaks and Harri was just over with a powerful drive. In the 13th James forced a corner but the referee ruled obstruction as McGarvey's kick entered the danger zone. Excellent work in midfield by Ellis released Harri and the pressure told in the 18th when a defender eased the ball past his own 'keeper to put Brakes in front 1-0.

But, as so often this season, it was a short-lived lead though the 20yd smash into the top right corner of the net gave Heath no chance, 1-1 in the 19th. But if no blame could be apportioned for that excellent goal there was some culpability in the Brakes' defence when Hednesford went 1-2 ahead in the 29th with a free header from a corner and made it 1-3 in the 34th with a strong shot that could have been prevented.

Brakes seemed further on the rack early in the second half when Hednesford made it 1-4 in the 49th but they were playing some reasonable passing football, though struggling to match the power and strength of a big Hednesford side with dominating performances from no.3 Tom Marshall and Alex Molloy in goal, both of whom could grace a senior side.

But, suddenly, Brakes were back in with a real chance following two goals in five minutes. Thiara headed powerfully home in the 50th from a corner to make it 2-4 then repeated the trick after Powell had brought a magnificent save for another corner in the 55th from another James kick, 3-4.

The Brakes' fans dared to hope, the noise from the excellent support gathered in the small Sheepside stand grew in volume, and, in the 58th, it could have been 4-4 as a perfect McCarthy pass split the defence leaving Harri running clear on goal. But one-on-ones are never that straightforward, the 'keeper came out well and Harri's shot spun agonisingly wide.

Who knows what the final result could have been if that had gone in. But football is full of ifs and Heath made a great save in the 63rd, with another close range save in the same minute only for the ball to be returned into the net from 15yds, 3-5. Heath made another excellent save in the 74th but, despite bringing on some fresh legs, Brakes went further behind in the 76th when a player ran through a spent defence to slot home for 3-6. A late flurry could have brought a 4th for Brakes, with McCarthy through on goal, but it's not goal-scoring that is Brakes' problem as they scored three goals for the third time this season.

The trip to Castle Vale next week, now on Thursday 27 October (coach 5pm), offers a real chance to get an improving Brakes' season underway and Tom "TJ" James is to be congratulated on his selection for a representative side - see Other News (below).

Leamington Youth: Tom Heath; James Footman; Tom James [Capt]; Mike Ellis; James Lockyer; Anvinder Thiara (Adam Sutton 89); Henry Jordan (James Urquhart 79); Kevin McGarvey; Sean McCarthy; Alex Harri; Ashley Powell (Luke Hobbins 75)
Subs Not Used: Jason Bradshaw; Purminder Sidhu

Other News: Brakes' Youth player, Tom "TJ" James, has been selected by the Birmingham County FA squad for their FA County Youth Cup round 2 away match against Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA on Saturday 22 October (2pm) at Worksop Town FC; congrats from us all.

Attendance 140