Brakes Victorious

Brakes ran out in their new gold kit for the first time in warm sunshine before 510 people. In the distance a Lancaster bomber moved slowly under darkening skies trailed by a Spitfire and a Hurricane passing over Stoneleigh.

There was almost a gentle start to this contest with Brakes weaving patterns and largely untroubled by a Biddulph strike force that had notched only one goal so far this season. It was a rude awakening when Cooper rattled the crossbar from fully 35 yards in the 18th.

There was almost a feeling that Brakes were pacing themselves, mindful of another match at Alvechurch 48 hrs hence, but one player who couldn’t slow down if he tried, Jon Adams, finished a move involving Blake and Pearsons driving a magnificent shot into the top, left corner for 1-0 in the 28th.

A deep cross from Towers four minutes later was nearly converted by Martin Thompson who also brought a glorious save from the Vics’ ‘keeper in the 34th when he turned in the area to bring a finger tip save from Intihar. As the half drew to a close Jon Adams was denied by another fine stop by the Biddulph ‘keeper.

Early Brakes pressure at the start of the second half saw powerful runs from Martin Thompson on the left and Towers on the right before Mackey came off the bench to seal the match.

He first slashed a Blake pass just over in the 62nd and then was robbed as he pulled the trigger after a fine run at the defence two minutes later. Towers rattled the intersection of bar and post from his pass before a defensive slip allowed Mackey a clear sight of goal and he drove the ball in the corner for 2-0 in the 73rd.

With Morris having an untroubled second half as a spectator and the defence once again supreme with Cudworth, Cooper, Hier and Dutton outstanding, Brakes turned on the style for a display of silky skills.

Blake and Ben Adams ran at a faltering defence and several players went close as heavy rain started to fall, driving the fans under cover, as Brakes eased their way to another victory built on another clean sheet, now four in five games.

Leamington: Richard Morris; Jamie Towers; Tom Cudworth; Adam Cooper; Martin Hier; Craig Dutton [Capt]; Stuart Herlihy (Morton Titterton 72); Jon Adams; Dave Pearson (Ben Mackey 61); Martin Thompson; Jamie Towers (Ben Adams 76)
Subs Not Used: Adam Knight; Jason Pearcey

Biddulph Victoria: Stephen Intihar; David Thomasson; Tim Alcock; Lyndon Hall (Gareth Brookes 70); Stephen Jardine (Michael Steele H-T); Scott Burge [Capt]; Kingsley Marshall; Jake Bowyer; Jon Dawson; John Paul Jones; Stephen Roberts (Darren Baker 60)
Subs Not Used: Stuart Heeps

Sports Therapist, Dean Merrick, has moved to a new job in London and our best wishes go with him. He is to be Gym Manager at a new leisure centre in Norbury, SW London. Jemma Holt and Natalie Wilson who have been understudying him step into the breach.

Attendance: 510

Photographs from the match here»