Young Brakes Wreak Revenge

Young Brakes won this one far more easily than the scoreline suggests overcoming their 9-1 conquerors back in August with another Rellis goal, this time without reply. The win, and Quorn’s defeat, moves them up to 8th in the table and seven points clear of the relegation slots.

It was a freezing cold night with a brisk wind and live football on the tele and the crowd was well down on the average (100) at 49 though still nine more than Causeway v Romulus in the MFA.

But those faint-hearts who didn’t make it missed a scintillating display of attacking football from a side that has grown in skill and effort to record five wins, one draw and one defeat in their last seven league games. Moreover, to stick it out in the bad, early days when nothing would go right is a commendation in itself.

OK, there are still some weaknesses, which will be punished by sides like Sutton and Hednesford but the coaching staff will sort those out in time as they have done with other weaknesses. And manager Stacey was as delighted with the clean sheet as with the result itself.

The intent was clear from the start when Rellis ran at speed past the defence in the 3rd minute, cut in from the left touchline and blasted the ball into the side-netting. Maybe a cross would have led to a goal but Sean is a striker and strikers shoot when they have a chance, and this would have been a wonderful goal.

Brakes continued to push back Worcester with some excellent passing movements and got their reward in the 19th when Rellis forced the ball home for 1-0 after a James corner, a goal his effort and commitment richly deserve. The admirable, and increasingly influential Gordon set off on a mazy run in the 28th that deserved better but, for all Brakes’ efforts, there was only one goal to show for it at half-time.

Worcester, a pale shadow of their early-season team, could make no headway against a good defence with Lockyer back to his best and Footman and Walker imperious. James’s skill and control are second to none and have been recognised with a place in the first-team squad that must lead to a senior appearance soon, while Barry Hobbins must be the most-improved player in the side.

Heath in goal must be relieved that he was under-employed this time but what he did he did well in, sometimes, difficult conditions. Worcester never gave up but could make little headway whilst Brakes had few clear-cut chances in the second-half though having most possession. Jordan released a fierce shot in another very good performance in the 67th that was only just gathered by the Worcester ‘keeper and Thiara worked tirelessly to ensure that there were no late slip-ups to allow a Worcester goal that would have been an injustice on the night.

Leamington Youth: Tom Heath; James Footman; Tom James [Capt]; Luke Walker; Barry Hobbins; Vinny Thiara; Henry Jordan; Sean Staunton (Sean McCarthy 53); Sean Rellis (Mike Deas 90); Andrew Gordon
Subs Not Used: Luke Hobbins; Alex Unitt; Mike Ellis

Worcester City Youth (From): Ashley Horton; Dan Ford; Dave Reynolds; Jamie Parker; Nick Andrew [Capt]; Nick Cawley; Sam Saunders; Tom Sivell; Lucas Tilsley; Alex Woodhouse; Tim Lynch; Nat Pearson; Miles McLaughlin; Wayne Grettan

Attendance: 49

Players’ News: Dylan Russell unwell and Ashley Powell training after a strain.

Other News: Next fixture is v Moor Green at the NWG, ko 7:30, on Thursday 2 March. See fixtures online or in the programme.