By David Hucker

Come-Back Kids

Three times young Brakes came back against Stratford Town to share the spoils in this Midland Floodlit Youth League encounter at Masons Road.

Finding themselves a goal down after only three minutes, the Leamington side looked to be in for another tough night in this difficult first season back in competitive football. Giving the opposition a start has become a bit of a habit but, as before, they kept playing attractive football in the belief that goals would come. Good opportunities fell to Neil Grainger and Neil Stacey before the equaliser came in the 20th minute. A free kick from Josh Tolley was headed in by Stacey to make it 1-1. Brakes then dominated for most of the remainder of the half, but found themselves behind again when, in the 42nd minute, a shot went through a crowd of players past Lee van Der Heyden.

Paul Wilkinson brought the scores level again in the 65th minute but, thirteen minutes later, a loss of concentration in midfield led to a third goal for Stratford. However, all was not lost as Tim Green forced the ball home through a packed goalmouth to level again. Opportunities for the winner came Brakes' way, but to no avail. Tim Green found himself on the floor as a result of an over-robust tackle from the home centre forward that saw the Stratford player ordered from the field by the referee.

At a time when match officials come in for some criticism, all three last night handled the game firmly, but fairly to add to a good (free) evening's entertainment. This result will have given the team a much needed confidence boost but we will not be able to be so generous in gifting goals to West Bromwich Albion next month.