By Roger Vincent

Thommo Returns to Snatch Vital Goal

A welcome return for Steve Thompson saw the new, slim-line Thommo drive home the only goal in the 42nd minute, but Brakes missed the speed and opportunism of Blake, his first of 5 missed games through suspension, and the width and drive of Benson Miyoba who was working. The defence was always in command and only the lack of a recognised scorer kept the Brakes' tally down to 1.

Brakes started much where they left off against Handsaker making all the early running. They forced 2 corners in the first 10 minutes with Si Wickson going close and Neale Perry heading over. Perry was showing well but Brakes were missing the thrust of Josh Blake and the surging runs of Benson Miyoba to make possession count. Ariss, Shearsby (twice) and Agar all went close before Steve Thompson chested down a cross from the right and drove the ball in the net on 42 minutes after 3 Brakes' corners in a period of sustained pressure.

A fluid, 5-man move from Brakes in the first 5 minutes of the second half, which ended with Wickson heading over, promised much and both Thompson and Agar went close. Harj Dhesi came on in the 66th, replacing the tiring Perry. Playmaker Dhesi, who will undoubtedly prove a major asset this season, prompted, cajoled and (occasionally) shouted, showing a control and precision in passing well above this level. A beautiful 3-man move on 70 with Agar and Ariss ended with Rugrat driving wide.

Tempers flared in the hot sun and Holly Lane's no. 4 was sent off in the 75th after a bad tackle on Agar. Brakes continued to press and the Holly goalie just tipped over from Wickson in the 80th, one of several such saves, and recovered to dispossess Thompson at the second attempt as Thommo nearly wriggled round him for a certain 2nd goal in the last 5 minutes. The game ended, as it began, with Brakes pressing to no avail and the North Bank cheering Brakes goalie Fabrizio Tosti whenever he picked up the ball as he is yet to be put to the test of having a real save to make.

Leamington Fabrizio Tosti; Kevin Ariss; Will Payne; Liam McGovern; Guy Rippon; Simon Wickson; Mark Simmonds; Barry Shearsby; Neale Perry (Harji Dhesi 66m); Brian Agar (captain); Steve Thompson
Unused subs: Matt Tovey, James Edwards