By Roger Vincent

Brakes Just Good Enough to Take Old Hill

Brakes had to thank goalkeeper Morris for keeping them in contention in a first half which saw him make 4 good saves and watch another Old Hill strike hit a post. But against the run of play Blake put Brakes ahead in the 39th for an interval lead. Brakes improved in the second half and looked in control when Paul Nicholls struck his first for the club in the 66th to double the lead but this was reduced in the 85th and there were some anxious moments before Thompson drove home Brakes' third in stoppage time. 416 fans didn't see a vintage performance but with Rugby Town losing, Knowle drawing and Loughborough losing in mid-week it is now in Brakes' control to finish as champions once again.

Club Media Officer, Craig Barnes, has seized an opportunity to promote the club through a new, local, radio station (Spa FM on 106.5) which is on a month's trial period finishing at midnight 13 April; 'phone 01926 881065 or visit www.spafm.com to add your name to those who want the station to get a permanent franchise. Craig conducted vox pop interviews after the game for broadcasting but received a shock eaerlier when, on his way to the ground via the radio station in the ASDA car-park to pick up equipment and posters, he heard on the car radio that he was "on air" in 5 minutes to report the kick-off. Just an hour out and soon sorted by the ever-resourceful Craig.

Brakes started brightly with Paul Nicholls, making his first start, looking sharp in the opening minutes but it was Old Hill who broke away and could have scored 3 times in a 10 minute spell that saw Morris dive to save brilliantly from a shot in the 4th, a header in the 6th and another strong drive on target in the 13th, the first 2 at the expense of corners.

Brakes were stung into action. The impressive Nicholls went close, twice, and Timms blasted over from a free kick after Miyoba was upended. But Morris, again, saved the day with a superb stop in the 27th then watched, helplessly, as another Old Hill shot in the 29th hit bar and post before being scrambled away. Old Hill were certainly playing better than their lowly position would suggest but Brakes' organisation seemed in disarray; some sublime passing movements were marred by 2 players going for the same ball leaving gaps to be exploited elsewhere.

However, Old Hill gave some indications of their failings this season in a 10 minute spell which saw some panicky defending as Agar, Miyoba and Timms all went close in a goalmouth scramble before Sidwell headed just over from the resulting corner. Timms, again, brought a great save from the Old Hill goalkeeper and Nicholls sliced wide before Agar slipped a beautiful pass into the path of Blake who, in the 39th curled the ball into the net with the outside of his foot after his first effort was blocked, 1-0. Brakes could have increased their lead befor half-time with Agar having 2 efforts blocked and Blake, 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper in the 44th, just failing to slip the ball round him into the unguarded net.

A plea over the PA for supporters to help turn over the 8 floodlight stanchions in the car-park at half-time so that the other sides could be painted was so well attended that I had to withdraw and shout encouragement instead. It did occur to me that, with all this willing support, we could probably put them up without a crane. Thanks to everyone who came.

Brakes started the second half more positively and 2 superb pieces of skill, in the 47th and 48th, were almost worth the admission money on their own. Miyoba ran through the Old Hill defence, at one time allowing the ball to run on while he rounded the defender reminiscent of a move by Pele from a long-ago world cup. Blake then got past a defender on the goal line with a kind of heel-flick that I'd have to watch again on the action replay to describe; superb. But, maybe significantly, both crosses were cleared by an uncompromising Old Hill defence.

Steve Thompson came on for Jonny Burgess in the 64th with Miyoba changing to the right side. Nicholls had been looking dangerous throughout and, in the 66th, he was rewarded by a fine headed goal when the ball was knocked back after a Miyoba corner from the right, 2-0 . Within minutes Nicholls, confidence visibly growing, headed against the post direct from a Thompson throw-in. David Care came on for Blake in the 71st and, in the 82nd, with the game looking comfortable, Brakes put on Youth star-defender, Lee Scott, in place of Gregory for his first team debut.

Thompson nearly made the points safe in the 83rd when he drove into the area releasing a powerful shot which was charged down by the goalkeeper but, minutes later, in the 85th Old Hill had pulled one back when a cross from the left found an unmarked player who drove home, 2-1 . With Old Hill striving for an equaliser these were anxious moments and a baptism of fire for Lee Scott who, in the circumstances, performed superbly when many youngsters would have folded, a future Brakes' star I have no doubt.

Although there were fears that Old Hill would notch the equaliser that their overall performance deserved it was mostly Brakes pressing at this stage. Care just failed to meet a Thompson free kick in the 89th and another free kick, by Shearsby, was tipped over the bar as 90 minutes was up. There was still time for Agar to swivel, superbly, and just fail to turn a Thompson corner over the line before arch-provider Thompson smashed home an unstoppable shot after good work by Care and Nicholls to make it 3-1.

Rugby Town lost 1-0 at Loughborough which means that it is now in Brakes' control to catch them though this would entail beating them on Monday 1 April. The other 2 realistic contenders for the promotion spots are Knowle, who only drew 0-0, and Loughborough who, although they beat Rugby, had lost to Polesworth in mid-week.

Leamington: Richard Morris, Jonny Burgess (Steve Thompson 64), Tom Sidwell, Andy Gregory (Lee Scott 82), Liam McGovern, Daz Timms, Barry Shearsby, Paul Nicholls, Josh Blake (David Care 71), Brian Agar [Capt.], Benson Miyoba

Team News: Glen Webb pulled something in training and joins Harj Dhesi and Si Wickson on the injured list; Nick Mort, FOLFC's February player of the month, missed this game, and his presentation, through holiday.