Young Brakes “Caught Cold” at Infernal Disco

This was a dispiriting occasion, though not because of the football where Brakes did well in the circumstances to come back from 2-0 down inside six minutes, and come close to a win. There were first goals for both Barry Hobbins and Andrew Gordon, the latter also making his first start since his move from Rugby Town.

A very late announcement by Hinckley that the match was to be played on “the old ground”, with no discernible reason why the Marstons Stadium should not be used as designated in the handbook, created uncertainty about the venue with no time for proper planning such that many spectators and players were late and the team had only 10 minutes to warm up.

The pitch, formerly, I believe, used by Ford Sports, is “out the back” down a dirt track with no toilet facilities outside the changing rooms and no refreshments. The lighting was so poor that I contend that this match should not have taken place. Not only were bulbs missing, three out of six on one stanchion, but those that were there seemed to take it in turns to flash on and off like disco lights at some geriatric rave in a disused field with rotting outbuildings for atmosphere.

Youth secretary Tommie Hynes stated concern that there had been no time for a proper warm-up and that we “could get caught cold in the first five minutes” proved to be the stuff of oracles as Luke Walker had to receive treatment inside 30 seconds then Hinckley broke down the right and an excellent cross was headed home on 58 seconds, 1-0 in the 1st minute. Another excellent cross from the right was knocked home in the 6th minute for 2-0 and Brakes were on the rack.

Chairman Mick Brady showed that he still has a sure touch by arriving, after both goals, in the 7th minute after getting lost!

Make no mistake, these were two very good goals and Brakes, who also had players who were playing their second game on the day because of Academy matches, were also team-rusty from a three week stretch with no fixtures. They were second to every ball and the old bad habits, that seem to re-emerge after an inactive period as a team, were prevalent again with too many players waiting for the ball to come to them and playing as if their thoughts were elsewhere.

It is to their credit that they knuckled down to what was now an uphill task and they were back in the game when a James free kick was picked up by Barry Hobbins and blasted into the net well out of the ‘keepers reach for 2-1 in the 29th, his first goal for the club in what was an outstanding game by the fast-improving youngster.

A 60th minute James free kick from 30 yards rattled the post as Brakes started to assert some authority in the second half and, despite some of the old defensive frailties still being apparent they seemed the most likely to score again though Russell had to save well in the 64th. Rellis was starting to buzz but the equaliser came when James fed McCarthy whose incisive pass was picked up by Gordon making his first start. Gordon turned inside from the right flank and drove an excellent shot into the far corner, his first goal for the club and one to remember, 2-2 in the 76th.

Gordon was having an excellent game in a, now, thoroughly “warmed-up” team and nearly scored again in the 79th with what, surely, would have been the winner when he lashed another shot across the Hinckley goal from out on the right; but with the ‘keeper well-beaten it spun agonisingly just wide of the far post.

A free kick from Hinckley was well-saved by Russell in the 82nd but there was only one team in it now so it was with some shock that a minor fracas after some disagreement with a linesman’s decision resulted in a free kick to Hinckley just outside the area right in front of goal with three minutes already added to the 90. But a monumental injustice was avoided with the striker unable to breach the golden wall constructed like line dancers under flickering lights.

Leamington Youth: Dylan Russell; Henry Jordan (James Footman 55); Mark Griffin; Luke Walker; Tom James [Capt]; Barry Hobbins; Mike Ellis (Vinny Thiara 85); Ashley Powell; Sean McCarthy (Mike Deas 85); Sean Rellis; Andrew Gordon
Subs Not Used: Tom Heath; Alex Unitt

Players’ News: James Lockyer missed through illness with Luke Streeter and Luke Hobbins also having to miss because of school events.

Other News: Further games, postponed earlier in the season, have been rescheduled in March. See fixtures online or in the programme.

NB that the next match is next Monday at the NWG against league leaders Sutton Coldfield Town who have drawn one match and won all others. This reverts to our normal Monday after being switched, at one time, to accommodate the seniors, now no longer necessary.