Robinson strikes twice to send Brakes crashing to first league defeat

A goal in each half from hotshot Anthony Robinson sent Brakes to their first league defeat of the season at Masons Road.

Although Arsenal had shown that, even at the highest level, a team can go through the season undefeated, most Brakes followers had probably expected their team to lose at some time or another. Given that Stratford were one of only two sides to have taken points off the league leaders in 24 matches so far this term, this was clearly going to be a tough assignment and so it proved.

However, it wasn't just the loss to a strong and determined Stratford side that stuck in the throat, but the manner of the defeat with too many players off form and a disjointed effort that bore little resemblance to some fine performances that have been the hallmark of this Brakes side. How the players react on Saturday will show whether this is just a blip in what can still be a historic season, or the start of a bad run of form that will see all the hard work of opening up a big gap at the top of the table undone.

For all their pressure in the first half, Brakes never really got in a blow, although home 'keeper Mark Sheils did well to thwart Dave Pearson on 20 minutes after good work by Tom Bates down the left. Sheils was again in the thick of the action in the 29th, saving a Bates shot that had taken a deflection. Five minutes later, there was a scramble in the Stratford goalmouth with several Brakes players having attempts to shoot, but none able to find a way through.

Anthony Robinson, who had come off the bench in the 21st minute to replace Nathan Jones, turned the game Stratford's way five minutes before the interval. Pearson lost the ball deep in the Stratford half to Leon Thomas who exchanged passes with Michael Stephenson before unleashing a shot which Richard Morris (making his 200th appearance in goal) could only push into the path of Robinson who made no mistake (1-0).

Brakes did try to raise the tempo again at the start of the second half and, in the 53rd minute, Adrian Fuller's free-kick was headed on by Martin Thompson to James Husband whose well-struck shot was saved by Sheils. Thompson himself should have done better in the 62nd, sending his shot over the bar from close in, but it was soon to be all over as Robinson struck again on 71 minutes, picking up another loose ball after Morris had palmed Luke Barlone's shot away (2-0).

Josh Blake could have scored with fifteen minutes remaining, but put his shot round the post. Sheils then saved from Ben Mackey and, apart from a long-range effort from Adam Cooper which the 'keeper fumbled, Brakes ran out of time and ideas.

Stratford could, and should, have made it three near the end when Brakes were caught out as they pushed forward in search of a goal. With three forwards against two defenders, it looked odds-on that Barlone would score, but he finished poorly.

Over the 90 minutes, there was no real impact down the wings and too many corners and free-kicks were wasted. Nobody really took control of the midfield (although captain Craig Dutton put in his usual sound performance) and the only positives came in defence with Adrian Fuller, Andy Gregory and Adam Cooper all making solid efforts under increasing pressure in the second half.

Manager Jason Cadden offered no excuses, saying "They wanted it more than we did and it is disappointing that our unbeaten run has come to an end with such a bad performance. It was as if we had forgotten how to pass the ball, something that has been our strength all season. We wasted such a lot of possession and had only a couple of real shots on target. We just have to take it on the chin and bounce back at Biddulph on Saturday."

Stratford Town Mark Sheils; Leon Thomas; Martin Crowley (Ryan Howell 62); Dan Hicks; Nigel Niblett (Ashley Pringle 84); Kirk Miller [Capt.]; David Foy; Mark Faulds; Luke Barlone; Nathan Jones (Anthony Robinson 21); Michael Stephenson
Subs Not Used: Glenville White; Ian Mitchell

Leamington Richard Morris; Jamie Towers; Adrian Fuller; Adam Cooper; Andy Gregory; Craig Dutton [Capt.]; Stuart Herlihy; Tom Bates (Jon Adams 62); Martin Thompson (Josh Blake 70); Dave Pearson (Ben Mackey 55); James Husband
Subs Not Used: Scott Darroch; Martin Hier

Attendance 677

Author's Man of the Match Andy Gregory