By Roger Vincent

Brakes Youth Draw at League Leaders Rugby United

Tolley showed well in the early exchanges and Brakes were denied an early goal when a clear penalty was denied them but awarded soon after at the other end after the ball bounced onto a defender's hand. Justice was done when the resultant kick was driven low and wide. Rugby United now showed why they are top by controlling the game for the rest of the half. Yet Brakes' defence was restricting clear-cut chances to a minimum with Lee Scott, and goalkeeper Lee van Der Heyden, again outstanding. In fact Brakes probably had as many chances as Claridge headed just over from a Poole cross after good work by Tolley and Wilkinson looked dangerous on the right.

With the game heading for stalemate, and one goal likely to win it, Brakes went ahead in the 53rd with a beautifully worked goal. The ball was played out of defence up the right touch-line and Grainger pushed a weighted pass through to Claridge who ran across the goal-mouth, turned and drove home, 0-1.

But Rugby equalised in the 65th with a superb goal when they broke down the right and crossed a low ball which was slotted home, 1-1. Rugby were playing the better football at this time and the only movement on the Rugby goal came from a rabbit who streaked half the length of the pitch down the wing as a cacophony of fireworks split the frosty, night air.

Collen came on for the tiring Grainger on 73 and Johal for Matthew Mellings, who had made a promising debut, on 83 as Brakes tried to re-impose themselves on the game. Either team could have won and Brakes went close when a Lee Scott free-kick came off the bar and Claridge was robbed in front of goal as he was about to shoot and nearly scored again in the 89th. But a late saving tackle from Scott at the other end and a Van Der Heyden save also denied Rugby so a draw was a fair result, and a very good one for Brakes whose good run continues with 4 games unbeaten in the league including 2 wins.

Leamington: Van Der Heyden, Taylor, Poole, Mellings M (Johal 83), Scott, Mellings J [Capt.], Wilkinson, Webster, Grainger (Collen 73), Claridge, Tolley