Ricardo Richards Wrecks Young Brakes Unbeaten Run

Brakes succumbed to the power and finesse of the league’s leading striker, Sutton’s Ricardo Richards, who notched four goals and looked a more effective player than anyone else on the pitch. This defeat came after an unbeaten run of four wins and a draw in young Brakes’ last five league games, a magnificent effort after a bad start.

Yet though Brakes were easily overcome in the end by the table-toppers, who have won all their 11 matches bar one draw, they scored two goals in the first half against a team who had only conceded six all season and looked capable of, at least, snatching a draw until the killer equaliser by Sutton on the stroke of half-time.

Brakes were certainly not overawed by the runaway leaders and attacked from the start. It was no fluke when they were awarded a penalty, which Rellis converted for 1-0 in the 8th minute, as the handball was a direct result of good Brakes’ pressure.

But Sutton’s attack was also dangerous and, although Brakes were defending well, Heath was forced to make a good save in the 12th with Walker clearing off the line three minutes later, miraculously scooping the ball over from under the bar. Sutton always seemed likely to score with the powerfully built Richards looking like he belonged elsewhere, preferably not playing against Brakes.

Barry Hobbins continues to improve and he shot just wide of the Sutton goal in the 22nd before a period of concerted pressure from Sutton led to Richards forcing the equaliser, 1-1 in the 28th. But not only did the floodgates remain closed but Brakes fought back and the excellent Gordon powered in towards goal to be brought down for Brakes’ second penalty, this time despatched by Walker for 2-1 in the 34th.

At this time this was a well-fought, even game with Brakes, if anything, slightly on top though Sutton were always dangerous. Heath gathered well in the 41st but Gordon’s run on goal in the 44th deserved better. I felt that if Brakes made it to half-time with their lead intact we could well see an upset but with time ticking past the 45th Sutton struck the killer goal through Graham who lobbed the ball in from 30 yards for 2-2 as the half-time whistle blew.

As often is the case this goal unsettled Brakes who conceded a bad goal soon after the break when Richards made it 2-3 in the 47th meeting a cross, unmarked at the far post and Richards notched his hat-trick in the 60th for 2-4 as the defence ball-watched with Capaldi making it 2-5 running through on goal in the 62nd as Brakes heads went down.

There was some measure of recovery then and James ran through in the 71st to release a rasping shot that deserved a goal with Staunton unlucky three minutes later and Brakes showing spirit that augurs well for future games. But lurking upfield was the impressive Richards, not getting involved in the mayhem in the Sutton area but waiting imperiously for his chance which came in the 85th when he made it 2-6 with his fourth on the night running past the defence and coolly placing a clever shot wide of the ‘keeper.

Leamington Youth: Tom Heath; Henry Jordan; Tom James [Capt]; James Footman; Luke Walker (Mark Griffin 83); Barry Hobbins; Alex Unitt; Vinny Thiara; Sean McCarthy; Sean Rellis (Sean Staunton 50); Andrew Gordon
Subs Not Used: Mike Deas; Luke Hobbins

Sutton Coldfield Town Youth (From): Daniel Cots; Kyle Byrne; James Stark; Mark Maloney; Chad McKormac; Luke Flynn [Capt]; Alex Roberts; Chris Maloney; Ricardo Richards; Stuart Capaldi; Matty Graham; Chris Hughes; Mick Murray; Juliano Costa; Sam Foulds

Attendance: 68

Players’ News: James Lockyer missed through skiing holiday; Luke Walker went off having breathing difficulties because of the school bug; Sean Rellis groin strain – no prognoses on Luke or Sean.

Other News: Quorn at home and Hednesford Town away are rescheduled during March. See fixtures online or in the programme.