Brakes Make a Point to Set Up Crunch Match on the 26th

Young Brakes climbed ahead of Hinckley, and out of the relegation slots, with this hard-earned point, but only have two games remaining whereas Hinckley, a point behind with a far superior goal difference, have four. But the teams play each other at the NWG on Wednesday 26 April, a game that now takes on huge significance.

This match was filmed by Brakes’ senior player, Andy Crabtree, who is helping with the youth team coaching as part of his Derby University course. He’s also responsible, apparently, for shouts of Pocahontas, Snow White, etc. for Brakes’ set pieces but I’m not giving anything away here; come to youth matches and I’ll whisper in your ear.

A large, orangey splash rose out of the ground by Chesterton Windmill and became a magnificent, full moon lighting up the crowd on a clear, rain-free evening with a brisk wind. The match kicked off in daylight but the lights were on before the break.

The Moors, who’d beaten Brakes 2-0 at their place in early September, looked a physically big and strong side, though with a healthy sprinkling of younger players, and Brakes were soon on the back foot as the Moors made progress down the wings.

Brakes threatened in breakaways and McCarthy curled a shot around the bar and post intersection in the 20th with Powell turning well to drive just over in the 33rd. But it was a fair reflection of play when the Moors made it 0-1 in the 39th when Taylor ran through to slot home with nobody making a decisive tackle.

Brakes fought back with James running from defence to drive wide in the 41st but Jordan had to make a saving tackle and Russell in the Brakes’ goal, not yet 16, made a succession of excellent stops to keep Brakes in the game.

The second half was much more equal as Brakes realised that the high-flying Moors were eminently beatable despite their speed and size. There were several chances before a McCarthy cross into the box resulted in Gordon being stopped illegally and the effervescent Rellis stepped up to smash home the penalty for 1-1 in the 63rd relying on power rather than finesse with the ‘keeper unable to stop it spinning into the net from his flailing grasp. This could prove a vital goal and it is fitting that a player who has given heart and soul to the team all season scored it.

The Moors rarely threatened in the second half as they had in the first and young Brakes are to be commended for a hard-earned point. Whether or not it is enough remains to be seen over the next few weeks.

Leamington Youth: Dylan Russell; Henry Jordan; Tom James [Capt]; James Footman; James Lockyer; Barry Hobbins; Luke Walker (Mike Ellis 72); Ashley Powell; Sean McCarthy; Sean Rellis; Andrew Gordon
Subs Not Used: Vinny Thiara; Mike Deas; Mark Griffin; Sean Staunton

Moor Green (From): Damien Howell; Jack Byrne; Mark Baker; David Timmins; Richard Collins; Todd Howarth; Steph Abonando; Michael Morby; Michael Taylor; Ola Yinka; Lawrence Rawlings; J Jackson-Berery; K Kavanagh; Caulson;; Taylor; S Edwards

Attendance: 53