By Roger Vincent

Brakes Battle to Beat Burntwood

Brakes had to battle hard to overcome an uneven pitch and a resilient Burntwood Town. With the score 0-0 at half-time it seemed that they might succumb to a strong, physical side. But a Dhesi free kick in the 54th minute broke the deadlock and late goals from Blake in the 84th and Shearsby, 86th, could have been more as Brakes dominated the last 20 minutes.

Smoke from a barbecue wafted around a bright-coloured tent and drifted into the clear, sunlit air to give an impression of summer at the Burntwood Memorial Ground, but the reality was a bitterly cold day. Long, wet grass and fallen leaves soaked the feet to make it feel colder and, despite sterling efforts by Burntwood staff, the pitch looked, and played, as if there had been a ploughing competition on it the day before.

We welcomed back Chairman Mick Brady for his first match since a double-hip replacement, looking perky but, temporarily, in need of two crutches. At times it seemed as if David Care, making his first start for the club, would have more need of those crutches before the end. For the first 20 minutes Care was involved in every constructive move, using his power and speed to drive down the right wing to the bye-line. But time after time, with little protection from the officials, he was scythed down.

Agar was showing good control and combining well with Thompson to get past a packed, Burntwood defence. But despite some early chances, when Webb headed against the post and a Thompson drive was deflected just over after a short corner, Brakes had little to show for their first-half endeavours except mud and bruises.

The second half was notable for the increasing number of free kicks awarded to Brakes as Burntwood fought to stem the tide. In the 49th and 52nd free kicks led to, first, Webb driving just over the bar and then Care cutting inside to go narrowly wide, before Thompson was flattened 5 yards outside the box in the 54th and Dhesi took a quick free-kick placing the ball in the top corner, 0-1.

Hepburn came on for Webb in the 56th for his first appearance this season after deciding not to play regularly on Saturdays for family reasons. He was immediately influential as Brakes stepped up their game and Thompson twice went close. Burgess was having an outstanding game, making things happen and keeping the momentum going. With Sidwell strong in defence Brakes did not look like conceding but a superb save by Morris in the 62nd was a warning sign that Brakes seemed to heed as they took control in the last 20 minutes.

Agar had the ball in the net in the 68th, after a Hepburn drive across goal, but was given offside. There was no doubt, however with the second Brakes' goal in the 84th when, after good work by Thompson, Agar pushed the ball through for Blake to take to the goalkeeper before sliding it coolly into the far corner, a superbly taken goal, 0-2. Within two minutes Brakes were three up after a Burgess throw went via Agar and Blake to Shearsby who controlled the ball well and drove home, 0-3.

With Brakes now well on top Agar and Thompson gave way to Perry and Rippon in the 87th. Perry immediately fed Rippon, who went close, before being denied two goals himself within a minute, the first, a shot, somehow beaten out from the line and the second, a header, which rattled the cross-bar after a cross from Care.

Burntwood played well in patches with the number 2, Neil Middleton, superb. But, despite a strong defence and a good goalkeeper their lack of attacking power will always keep that defence under pressure. Leamington battled hard against conditions that were not good for a passing side but left it late to establish control and win the game.

Leamington: Richard Morris, Jonny Burgess, Harj Dhesi, Will Payne, Tom Sidwell, Glen Webb (Stuart Hepburn 56), David Care, Barry Shearsby, Josh Blake, Brian Agar [Capt.] (Neale Perry 87), Steve Thompson (Guy Rippon 87)

Team news: Kevin Ariss had to work; Steve Thompson "got a knock" but reckons he's OK.