By Roger Vincent

Brakes on the Championship Home Strait

Brakes defeated Handsaker more easily than the score suggests with a goal in each half from twin strikers Nicholls (21st) and Blake (55th). Handsaker had speed and strength in midfield and defence but never looked like scoring. Brakes are now undefeated in 11 games (9 wins) and have had 5 wins and 3 clean sheets on the trot. With 6 of those games already played in April and another 9 between now and the 8 May (including the President's Cup Final) this was a tremendous, battling performance from a Brakes' side that clearly has the championship in its sights with promotion from second place very much a poor substitute.

An early, mid-week kick-off of 6:10, with the coach leaving Leamington at 4:30, meant that Brakes arrived with 30 minutes to kick off and that the fans' numbers were well down, about 70. Although denied their usual long warm-up and preparation Brakes showed no signs of stiffness and Blake threatened to undo Handsaker with his speed with Shearsby and Webb together adding strength to the midfield. Brakes were playing better football than they have done for a while on a pitch that was good and even but in need of rain which made a high-bouncing ball hard to judge. Brakes were clearly winning the aerial battle and this was a vital part of the victory.

In the 13th Timms, at the far post, went close after a short corner from Thompson found its way to Blake's head from where it was nodded across goal. Then in the 21st Brakes were 1-0 up through Nicholls who headed home at the near post from a Mort inswinger after Brakes were a little lucky to be awarded a corner.

Handsaker were proving a hard, uncompromising side but had little to offer up front despite some fast, skilful players. They seemed to fizzle to a stop when anywhere near the Leamington fans behind Morris's goal or shoot impossibly wide. At the other end Nicholls charged down a clearance in the 37th and lobbed over and Blake headed onto the top of the bar a minute later from a cross by arch-provider Thompson. With the half drawing to a close a Mort shot was blocked and Thompson drove over the bar.

As the weather changed to blustery with showers Blake turned a good ball inside to Shearsby before Brakes doubled their tally. Mort played a superb ball to Nicholls on the right who turned a defender inside out on the goal line before delivering a perfect cross for Blake to head home to make it 2-0 to Brakes in the 55th. Now Brakes were well on top with Simon Walker taking the eye with his speed, control and superb distribution stopping Handsaker from getting near the Brakes' goal. In the 66th Timms nodded in a Thompson corner at the far post to see it disallowed, presumably for an infringement.

Brakes brought on all their substitutes with the return of Agar (for Blake in the 66th) and Miyoba (for Timms in the 74th); both had been out for several matches through injury and illness. McGovern replaced Gregory in the 80th. With Brakes pressing to better their goal difference a Mort free-kick was just tipped over in the 83rd by an excellent Handsaker goalkeeper who managed to become totally entangled in the back of the net after this one; unaccountably offside was given. Walker, as well as clearing up at the back, was spraying attacking balls up to the forward line from defensive positions and the whole team was battling for every ball. In the 88th Thompson went close to crowning an excellent, personal performance when he shot from distance on target for the top, right corner only to bring another brilliant save from the Handsaker goalie.

Leamington: Richard Morris, Simon Walker, Jamie Barr, Andy Gregory (Liam McGovern 80), Tom Sidwell, Darren Timms (Benson Miyoba 74), Nick Mort, Barry Shearsby, Josh Blake (Brian Agar 66), Paul Nicholls, Steve Thompson [Capt.]
Subs Not Used:  

Team News: Simon Walker was limping as we got on the coach; don't know why yet, maybe he was just tired. Worse news, though again I've had no time to check, is that Glen Webb is said to be unlikely to play again this season. Both to be checked out.