Quorn Not in the Hunt as Brakes Run Riot

Young Brakes lost at Quorn back in mid-September when Quorn were league leaders. Then I reported that “driving rain and a slippery pitch set the scene for a comedy of errors at table-topping Quorn with the first chill winds of the season sending the visiting fans to cower in the stand.” There were similarities with the weather in the return match but with little else as young Brakes demolished Quorn with a heady display of attacking football that would have had the thronging hordes baying their approval if the 51 brave souls hadn’t been cowering in the stand or under hoods like a convention of ASBOs.

With Brakes camping in the Quorn half it was surprising that there was no goal for over 20 minutes. Then Lockyer, released from defensive duties by inactivity, took a throw-in from the right touchline onto the head of McCarthy. He guided the ball into the path of Walker who drilled the ball into the net for 1-0 in the 22nd.]

Gordon released a tremendous shot minutes later that was palmed onto the post by the Quorn ‘keeper before McCarthy released a vicious, dipping drive from fully 30yds a minute later for 2-0 in the 27th.

This was as good a display as we’ve seen from any team this season and Powell, returning after a long lay-off through injury, nearly marked his comeback with a goal in the 30th before Gordon, who was creating havoc down the right, ran to the bye-line and sent a vicious cross across the Quorn goal for Powell to smash home, 3-0 in the 35th. The half ended with the influential Rellis striking the corner of upright and crossbar with a ferocious drive from 30yds.

Concerns that the strong wind, an advantage to Brakes in the first half, would similarly help Quorn in the second, were soon allayed. In the Brakes goal the under-employed Heath handled the greasy ball competently on the few occasions he was called on with his kicking, against the wind, back to his best before his groin strain. And the defence was marshalled superbly dealing with wind-assisted punts with seeming ease with James his usual assured self, Lockyer rising to every occasion and Thiara and Footman tidying up any loose ball.

In midfield Luke Walker has received recognition for his superior performances and Barry Hobbins cannot be far behind with another superb, wholehearted and influential display. Quorn pulled one back for 3-1 in the 75th with a header from a free kick that crept just inside the post but Brakes were soon piling on the pressure again.

Gordon was flattened in the area as he ran on goal, an offence for which the “last man” received marching orders, and Walker drove the penalty into the corner for 4-1 in the 86th. Then Powell ran past several defenders to release Barry Hobbins on the left. Hobbins ran to the bye-line and crossed for McCarthy to strike his second of the night for 5-1 in the 89th.

Leamington Youth: Tom Heath; James Footman; Tom James [Capt]; Luke Walker; James Lockyer; Barry Hobbins; Vinny Thiara (Ross Feasey 75); Ashley Powell; Sean McCarthy; Sean Rellis (Mike Ellis 63); Andrew Gordon
Subs Not Used: Mark Griffin; Luke Hobbins; Dylan Russell

Quorn Youth (From): Kyle Winston; Tom Carlin; Luke Rummer; Ash White; Andesh Matharu; Ryan North; Dennis Moran; Lewis Allen [Capt]; Josh Warrard; Matt Langan; Simon Allen; Dean Hopewell; Carl Williams; Joe Shaw

Players’ News: Luke Walker has signed senior forms to join Tom James as the second youth player in the Seniors squad.

Other News: Next fixture is at Hednesford Town and is MONDAY 20 March, a change from the Wednesday previously reported.

Attendance: 51