Benson Edges It

Another very good display against higher league opposition (9th last season in United Counties League Division 1) with Benson Miyoba's (say me-yoh-bah) first goal for the club maintaining Brakes' 100% record in the pre-season friendlies.

A balmy, though overcast, afternoon in a rural setting at a pleasant ground surrounded by trees and grassy banks; the burgers and onions sizzled on the barbecue filling the air with that wonderful smell that you only get from really unhealthy, fried food. A crowd of over 100 though, unusually, the Brakes' fans were outnumbered by the home support enjoyed a competitive match.

There were many promising displays in a team that lost little cohesion despite many changes to give everyone a chance. Again the star was Harj Dhesi at the heart of the defence with some excellent skills shown by James Edwards in particular, Thommo back to his best, and another superb showing from Jonny B.

But it would be invidious to mention too many individuals because the main strengths were about teamwork. Brakes tried, and mostly succeeded, to play good, passing football not just in attack but also out of defence and were always the team more likely to score. Their manager's plaintive cry of "they're going round you", heard several times, just about summed it up; the old mistake of pumping up high passes against a very big team seems to have been resolved. And yet, when the opposition threatened, they worried and harried them into mistakes and frustration as if the league title depended on the result.

The goal, which had threatened for much of the match, came in the last quarter when Benson Miyoba, who had another superb game, ran onto a through ball, went past a couple of defenders, and slotted it in the corner past a very good goalie who had made some excellent saves. Late on Brakes' Youth team goalie, Neil Thornton, tipped over a strong drive from a free kick for a superb save. Neil was only drafted in on the morning and was said to be "very nervous"; with saves like that he can only grow in confidence. All very promising.