Bees are stung by two late goals as Brakes continue to pile up points

Brakes eventually overcame a stubborn Studley side to run out convincing winners and record their 27th league win of the season.

On a night that challenged the whole concept of global warming, the wind and cold made this a test of endurance for players and spectators alike. Tom Bates came in for the holidaying James Husband and Josh Blake got the nod in attack over Ben Mackey. Brakes led by just one goal at the interval, thanks to Josh Blake's opportunism in the 15th minute, picking up on a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and beating visiting 'keeper David Gorton with a fierce shot.

Martin Thompson seemed to be fired up to beat Studley on his own, but only succeeded in needlessly getting booked on 8 minutes and then giving away a free-kick on the edge of the area in the 21st which, fortunately for Brakes, came to nothing as Paul O'Brien's effort sailed over the bar.

Jamie Towers and Jon Adams were combining well down the right but, for all their pressure, Brakes couldn't add a second. Craig Poutney fired a free-kick into the Brakes defensive wall after Adam Knight appeared to be harshly penalised for a tackle on Andrew Johnson before Adams went close on the stroke of half-time with a volley that went just over the bar.

Studley had to attack in the second half and certainly had more of the possession at times without creating too many chances. Jason Pearcey dealt comfortably with everything that came his way and the Brakes back three of Adam Cooper, Martin Hier and Adam Knight again looked like a cohesive unit. Hier, in particular, was alert and cleared a number of dangerous balls.

Blake had another opportunity on 57 minutes, springing the offside trap, but Gorton raced from his goal and put off the Brakes striker sufficiently to prevent him getting his shot on target.

Just when it looked as if one goal would be all that divided the two sides, Jon Adams popped up in the 84th minute and put a header against the post. Despite the presence of Ben Mackey and two Studley defenders, Adams managed to scoop the rebound over the line through the tangle of bodies to make it 2-0.

The third and final goal was the best of all as Mackey collected the ball out on the left and thumped a shot past Gorton that would have been impossible for any 'keeper to save. Cue the now familiar song from the fans crowded into the Harbury Lane end stand.

With Romulus beating Coalville Town, the gap at the top stays at 16 points, although the Roms have a game in hand. Brakes still need six more wins from the final ten matches to be certain of the title and who is to say that Romulus won't press them all the way to the end?

Manager, Jason Cadden, was understandably pleased saying "Studley were a tough side to break down and have been playing well of late. We have had a good week with three wins that keep us on track and I couldn't have asked more of the players."

Leamington Jason Pearcey; Jamie Towers; Martin Hier; Adam Knight; Adam Cooper; Craig Dutton; Stuart Herlihy; Jon Adams; Josh Blake; Martin Thompson (Ben Mackey 60); Tom Bates (Avun Jephcott 70)
Subs Not Used Morton Titterton; Tom James; Andy Gregory

Studley David Gorton; Kevin Leggatt; Kieran Cross; James Beauchamp [Capt.]; Adam Blake; Anthony Savery (Robert Powell 46); Andrew Smith (Robert Ager 76); Paul O' Brien; Craig Pountney (Ross Kendall 76); Colin Tandy; Andrew Johnson
Subs Not Used David Edwards; Alastair Lewis

Attendance 331

Author's Man of the Match Martin Hier

Photographs from the match here»