Sat, 26 Apr 2008 @ Broadwater, Lower KIngs Road. vs Berkhamsted Town (5-0). British Gas Business Football League Midlands Division. By D Hucker. This was no end of season game, as Brakes were made to work for the points by bottom club Berkhamstead Town, writes Paul Vanes.
On six minutes a superb cross from Jamie Towers tempted Town keeper Michael Underwood off his line and Martin Thompson climbed highest to nod the ball into the empty net.
Towers was heavily involved two minutes later as the ball pinged around the six yard box, Thompson got in a shot that Underwood saved with his feet, but the striker tucked in the re-bound to increase Brakes lead.
Another tantalising low cross from Towers was inches away from the onrushing Robbie Beard and the returning Josh Blake. Then Justin Marsdens cross was well held high up by Underwood despite pressure from Liam Reynolds, Blake sent a pass through to Thompson and the home keeper saved again with his feet, Thompson fired the re-bound goalwards only to see Underwood tip the ball onto the post and away for another corner and from Towers cross, Adam Cooper fired in a shot which Underwood turned aside.
The goal of the match arrived on 20 minutes when Martin Hier crossed to the right side of the pitch which was collected at full flight by Towers and the wing-back hammered a cracking drive with the outside of his right foot leaving Underwood helpless.
In a rare Berkhamsted attack, Richard Morris was not in danger from a free kick by Luke Bartlett. Leamington could have had a penalty when Robbie Beard was pulled down in the penalty area but Referee Rathbone who was excellent waved play on. Top class control at speed by Marsden saw his driven cross hit Thompson on the shin and bounce into the keepers hands.
Morris saved at the foot of the post from Andrew Mullins then Craig Dutton sent in a volley that Underwood dived to parry, Martin Hier was next to shoot as his dipping effort did not come down quick enough, but brushed the roof of the net and leading scorer Mullins forced Morris into a full length dive to divert the ball from danger.
On 74minutes, Reynolds picked up the ball and put it over the top of the defenders to send Thompson racing away and the striker completed his hat-trick by whacking the ball into the roof of the net.
The nearest Berkhamsted came to scoring was when Ian Brumwell got behind the Brakes defence and his shot whistled into the side netting near to the post. Play returned to the other end of the ground as Marcus Jackson fired across the goal to miss the far post by a foot and substitute Shay Morgan surged into the 18 yard area before smacking a shot against the cross bar.
In the 84th minute, substitute James Husband making his 100th appearance for the club and Morgan combined sending Husband wide left and he crossed for Morgan to glide in unnoticed at the far post to sidefoot home.
Martin Hier and Liam Reynolds were in everything created by the Brakes, but Martin Thompson gets the verdict as Man of the Match, not just for his hat trick, but for his all round running and strength causing the home side problems throughout (emerging with a black eye for his troubles).
Congratulations to the couple who left Leamington on Tuesday and will take a leisurely return home again after tying up their canal barge at the bottom of the ground to witness another fine display by the Brakes.
Berkhamsted Town Michael Underwood; Jack Denham (73 minutes Dan Dorans), Samir Amadu; Henry Thomas, Andrew Hughes; Luke Bartlett; Ian Brumwell, Ben Butler, Andrew Mullins, Perry Gilbert (Grant Saunders 62 minutes), Sean Biswell (Neil Richardson 67 minutes).
Brakes Richard Morris; Jamie Towers, Ryan Parisi, Adam Cooper, Martin Hier, Craig Dutton, Liam Reynolds (Marcus Jackson 73 minutes), Justin Marsden (Shay Morgan), Robbie Beard, Martin Thompson (James Husband 73 minutes), Josh Blake.
Subs Not Used. Scott Hadland and Guy Sanders.
Attendance 231 (Towns best of the season).
- MotM Martin Thompson.