By Roger Vincent

90th Minute Equaliser Stuns Brakes

Brakes looked like adding to Benson Miyoba's 15th minute strike despite a strong cross wind that spoilt the game. But they paid the penalty for not having put the match beyond doubt when Northfield notched a last minute equaliser.

Brakes looked half asleep from the start and were lucky to be playing a team who were even worse and didn't look as if they could take advantage. Brakes main threat came from the long throw-ins of Webb and Thompson; other than that they fell back on the long punt upfield. The real winner of a very scrappy game was the very strong cross wind. Although Northfield seemed to realise the sooner that they had more control with passes played along the ground their powder-puff attack couldn't turn it into goals.

Nevertheless Brakes, with the strong-running Miyoba up front, looked more like scoring and it was little surprise when Miyoba slotted home in the 15th, after Webb had hit a post, to make it 1-0. Brakes went close to increasing the lead through Miyoba, Thompson and a back-flicked Webb header and, with the defence well on top, it looked like Brakes would win comfortably without playing near their best. A Northfield free kick on the stroke of half-time was a warning to Brakes as it nearly went into the bottom right corner round the wall with Fabrizio covering the other end.

As Northfield realised that the game was not lost they grew in confidence and Brakes deteriorated. What had seemed a certain win began to look less so and Tosti had to make a couple of saves to keep Brakes in front. Shearsby came on for Simmonds in the 67th and Brakes soon had the ball in the net when Thompson superbly robbed a defender and crossed for Miyoba to drive home but the "goal" was disqualified for pushing.

Jonny Burgess came on for Ariss on 74 and Neale Perry for Billington, who had worked hard, on 80 to try and get the elusive 2nd goal, but in the 90th it was Northfield who broke clear and slotted home a deserved equaliser.

Better news was forthcoming off-field with the news that Paul "Sniffer" Eden has finally signed for Brakes and that Brian Agar's injury is not so bad as feared and both he, and Harj Dhesi, could be back in contention within a couple of weeks. Neil Thornton, the youth team, goalie has also signed senior forms as cover for Tosti until the return of the injured Morris. Less good news is that Liam McGovern's suspension for (5?) games starts at the beginning of October.

Leamington Fabrizio Tosti; Kevin Ariss (Jon Burgess 70m); Will Payne (captain); Liam McGovern; Guy Rippon; Glen Webb; Ian Billington (Neale Perry 77m); Nick Mort; Benson Miyoba; Mark Simmonds (Barry Shearsby 62m); Steve Thompson.