Mikes punished for missing chances as Brakes extend unbeaten run

This match was a clear case of one side taking its chances and the other failing to do so. Fortunately for the Brakes fans that swelled the Mikes' crowd to a season's best of 278, it was their side that made the most of the opportunities that came their way and extend the visitors' unbeaten league run to fourteen matches.

Former Brakes 'keeper, Andy Harper, was on the bench for Boldmere who also featured recent signing Lee Dimmock who has joined the club from Oldbury.

A downpour just before kick-off left the surface slippery and made holding and turning with the ball difficult. However, that didn't stop the Mikes strike force of Mykel Beckley, Romi Cammock and Dwayne Henry running at the Brakes defence and creating a host of chances that would, in other circumstances, have been enough to seal victory.

As it was, the home side found themselves a goal down after only four minutes when Josh Blake passed the ball out to Jamie Towers wide on the right and his precision cross into the penalty area was met by Martin Thompson who rifled his first-time shot past the stranded Daniel Cobb (0-1).

Brakes could have doubled the lead shortly after when James Husband picked up on a Towers free-kick to cut in from the right and set up Blake who shot wide.

Mikes had the first of a number of clear-cut chances on 11 minutes when, following a build-up down the left, Cammock found himself in front of goal with only Richard Morris to beat, but hesitated in making a shot allowing the Brakes 'keeper to get down and save.

Brakes struck back with Cobb being forced to save with his feet from the industrious Towers and, from the resultant corner, Jon Adams shot just over the bar.

Morris was called back into action in the 25th minute saving well from Cammock following good work by Beckley and Henry. It was then the turn of Dimmock to squander a chance after Beckley had beaten two defenders to cross from the left.

On 36 minutes, Morris raced from his goal to deny Henry and the Brakes 'keeper was then hurt in a collision with Beckley five minutes before the interval, but continued after treatment. As the half drew to a close, Adam Cooper sent a shot over the bar.

Brakes attacked at the start of the second period and Cobb saved well from Blake. However, it was Boldmere who found the net in the 51st minute when Morris failed to hold a free-kick from skipper Neil Watkins and Mykel Beckley followed up to force the ball home (1-1).

This could have signalled a Mikes revival but, within just one minute, Brakes were back in front. Ben Mackey raced in from the right and shot to the far corner with the ball being helped into the net by defender Daniel Parker. The ever-watchful Thompson was on hand to make sure that the ball had crossed the line, but the credit goes to Mackey (1-2).

Mikes' man-of-the-match Kirk Smith sent a curling shot in from the left which Morris watched come back off the angle of the post and crossbar. There were then chances at both ends, firstly for Blake (who sliced his shot wide) and then for Rob Simcox whose well-struck effort just missed

However, it was all over bar the shouting in the 81st minute when substitute Dave Pearson wrapped things up for Brakes, picking up Blake's long ball out on the left and sending his shot from a wide angle crashing into the net past the helpless Cobb (1-3).

In an exciting few final moments (extended by over four minutes of stoppage time), Pearson almost repeated his feat, but this time from the right and Stuart How headed over for the Mikes after Morris had saved a free-kick.

Martin Hier, who was substituted just before half-time has a knee injury and expects to be out for 3/4 weeks. Adam Knight played despite carrying an injury and, along with Morton Titterton, is likely to be rested for Tuesday's match against Barwell.

Manager Jason Cadden was pleased with his side's efforts, saying "Not many teams are going to come here and get a result, so this has to be seen as a good performance. We looked strong and hit back after their equaliser. However, we were a bit below par compared to our last three or four matches and, whilst we are sitting at the top of the table, have won nothing yet."

Boldmere Daniel Cobb; Eric Bowen; Lee Dimmock (Tom Bayley 73); Rob Simcox; Daniel Parker; Neil Watkins [Capt.]; Kirk Smith; Tim Gould; Mykel Beckley; Romi Cammock; Dwayne Henry (Stuart How 69)
Subs Not Used: James Quiggin; James Fisher; Andy Harper

Leamington Richard Morris; Jamie Towers; Martin Hier (Tom Cudworth 45); Adam Knight; Adam Cooper; Morton Titterton [Capt.]; Jon Adams; Josh Blake; Ben Mackey (Dave Pearson 76); Martin Thompson (Stuart Herlihy 63); James Husband
Subs Not Used: Craig Dutton; Tom Bates

Attendance 278

Author's Man of the Match Morton Titterton

Photographs from the match here»