Brakes in Control

On a rutted, uneven pitch that became greasy and slippery as rain slicked the dusty surface Brakes put in another solid performance with a goal in each half that maintains their 100% record after three games and leaves them in second place.

Brakes dominated the early exchanges without creating any clear-cut chances though Pearson, having probably his best game so far, lashed just over the bar from a Towers pass in the 11th. In fact the first save was at the other end when Morris stretched full length to turn a strong Wakeman drive round the post.

But Brakes came straight back and the admirable Pearson powered up the right touchline to earn a free kick near the right corner flag which Towers took quickly knocking it back to Jon Adams who smashed the ball in the net from 35yds for 0-1 in the 20th.

Knight was in commanding form in central defence allowing Gregory more freedom to move upfield but an injury to Gregory marked a period of rare, sustained pressure from Causeway culminating in another fine save from Morris who tipped a goal-bound drive over the bar in the 31st.

But the half ended with Brakes dominant once again with three chances in the last two minutes, first from Husband who volleyed over from a Pearson cross after more good work from the powerful Towers, then Blake who snatched at a chance in front of goal after another Pearson run found Husband who crossed into Blake’s path. And just on the whistle Husband marked another consummate display with a bicycle kick that flew past the post.

Knight created attack out of defence with a superb weighted ball early in the second half but two Brakes’ players, Towers and Jon Adams, collided with each other that resulted in Adams having to be replaced after several minutes’ treatment. The injury, seemingly, involves a piece of missing ear, whether left inside Towers or lost in a furrow is not clear.

But Causeway’s Gavin Winsper sustained far worse in the same part of an increasingly greasy pitch and he was stretchered off in the 67th with a suspected broken ankle after treatment on the pitch that added to the increasing injury time resulting in fully nine minutes being added to the 90.

Though the pitch was a great leveller Brakes were clearly the better side and Morris didn’t have a save to make in the second half. Mackey weaved his magic for a Pearson shot that was gathered at the second attempt in the 75th and Martin Thompson battled throughout showing what a superb asset he has become this season with his strength, ability to hold the ball and superb heading ability.

A long shot from Dutton skimmed the bar in the 82nd and marked the start of a period of intense pressure that led to the second goal. Husband and Towers exchanged passes and Towers’ cross was headed on goal by Martin Thompson but with the ‘keeper beaten it was headed off the line. The resulting corner, taken by Towers from the right, was met by Gregory who made it 0-2 in the 83rd with his second goal of the season, a crunching header at the far post.

With players going down all the time and a ball so greasy that it slipped from the grasp at one throw-in, it was with some relief that the final whistle came after nine added minutes. Brakes could have added goals through a Blake lob in 90+3 and a Husband drive from a Towers pass, which was tipped over in 90+8, but they avoided more injuries and remain relatively intact for the visit of Stratford Town next Tuesday night.

Causeway United: Craig Ladek; Max Bissell; Matt Hollis [Capt]; Gavin Winsper (Luke Darby 67 (Luke Blount 90+3)); Liam Teraud; Brett Nightingale; Ben Wakeman; Paul Garrett; Adam Bennett (Danny Cox H-T); Gavin Mole; Hugh Sproston
Subs Not Used: Sam Yafai; Justin Brown

Leamington: Richard Morris; Jamie Towers; Tom Cudworth; Adam Knight; Andy Gregory; Craig Dutton [Capt]; Jon Adams (Ben Mackey 52); Josh Blake; Martin Thompson; Dave Pearson (Martin Hier 88); James Husband
Subs Not Used: Adam Cooper; Dan Burke; Jason Pearcey

Players’ News: Brakes Tom James, still only 17, has been selected for the Birmingham County Football Association Representative squad for their FA County youth match vs Hednesford Town FC on Saturday 26 August, ko 11am. The match is at the BCFA County Ground, Ray Hall Lane, Great Barr, Birmingham.

Attendance: 197

Photographs from the game here»