Brakes scale summit with deserved victory in the Black Country

After an even first half, Brakes took control of this match in the second period to run out convincing winners over the hitherto unbeaten Tipton Town and take over top spot in the Polymac Services MFA.

The Tipton Sports Academy boasts a running track outside of the football pitch which separates the players from the crowd. However, even at a distance, it was clear that the wind and the heavily sanded and uneven pitch would have their part to play in the outcome. Certainly, the ball lifted several times from the surface, but it was the Brakes defence that was to blame for the opening goal in the 7th minute, as a long cross from the left by Daniel Bragoli was headed back across goal by Ashley Langford and Nicholas Campbell was on hand to slot the ball home past Richard Morris (1-0).

Brakes were level in the 13th minute when a clearance from Tipton's 'keeper, Wesley Cox was charged down by Martin Thompson for a soft goal gratefully received by the large contingent of visiting fans (1-1).

Former Solihull man, Martin Hier, twice came to Brakes rescue, heading a Bragoli free-kick over his own crossbar in the 21st and then clearing a shot off the line shortly after. This seemed to spur Brakes on and it was the visitors, rather than Tipton, who scored again as a Craig Dutton lofted ball into the penalty area was picked up by Josh Blake in the 27th and his shot beat Cox into the corner to make it 1-2.

Martin Thompson, who showed great pace and determination throughout, could have increased the lead five minutes later but, after collecting a pass from Tom Cudworth, put a fierce shot across the face of the goal and wide of the far post.

Tipton were not done for and, in the 34th minute, Scott Voice equalised with a good shot from the edge of the penalty area and that's how it stayed until the interval.

Striker Dave Pearson replaced defender Adam Cooper as the second half got underway and Brakes were in the lead again almost immediately when Morton Titterton struck a low shot from outside the penalty area in the 47th minute to make it 2-3.

Brakes took control from this point on and, although Morris had to make one or two good saves, Tipton didn't look like scoring again. In fact, it was Brakes that added to their tally in the 59th minute when a Jon Adams pass found Martin Thompson on the edge of the penalty area and Dave Pearson was on hand to convert the cross and seal victory (2-4).

Given previous performances, it was understandable that visiting fans got a little nervous as the match wore on, but the defence covered well and Adam Knight, in particular, didn't put a foot wrong.

Manager Jason Cadden summed it all up by saying that it was "a job well done."

He added "we came here to win and I am chuffed with the result. Overall, we deserved it and, after changing our formation in the second half, took control with the wind behind us and won nicely. We have learnt from the last few weeks how to keep a lead and defended well once we were in front. There is a long way to go and we are not getting carried away, but it is good to be top."

Tipton Town Wesley Cox; Hardip Dhanda (Adam Wattley 64); Brett Love [Capt.]; Timothy Johnson; Aaron Bishop; Ross Miller; Daniel Bragoli; Nicholas Campbell; Scott Voice (Richard Walker 78); Ashley Langford; Daniel Coates (Jayson O'Kelly 19)
Subs Not Used Christopher Smith; Darren Hadlington

Leamington Richard Morris; Adam Cooper (Dave Pearson 46); Tom Cudworth; Adam Knight; Martin Hier; Craig Dutton [Capt.]; Stuart Herlihy; Morton Titterton (Andy Gregory 79); Jon Adams; Martin Thompson (Ben Mackey 82); Josh Blake
Subs Not Used James Husband; Jason Pearcey

Attendance 268

Author's Man of the Match Adam Knight

Photographs from the match here»