By David Hucker

Brakes' Bounce Back to Floor Hosts

If a week is a long time in politics, what does it mean in football? After gifting their previous match to Coventry Sphinx, Young Brakes turned in a much improved performance to beat hosts Stratford Town in an official "home" match.

When Stratford scored their first goal on 27 minutes, it looked like Brakes were staring at defeat for the third week running. However, after Leigh Martin had headed over the bar in the 31st minute, debutant Tom Rudge (previously with Alveston) scored with a left-footed drive to level the match. On 40 minutes, full back James Taylor spotted the Stratford goalkeeper off his line and place a long-range shot out of reach.

Five minutes into the second half, Mark Beezley was unlucky when hitting the post but Brakes increased their lead to 3-1 in the 58th minute when Lee Scott, fresh from his first-team debut, stepped in to score after a save from Neil Stacey. Leigh Martin made it 4-1 five minutes later but the visitors reduced the deficit on 79 minutes with a bizarre own-goal from keeper Lee Van Der Heyden who was powerless to stop a failed clearance bouncing in off his body.

The effervescent Lakhdeep Dosanjh in midfield and new boy Tom Rudge impressed watching Director of Football, Dave Draper. Six more matches to go with, hopefully, some to be played at the New Windmill Ground. The crowd of 58 was also impressive for a youth team match, although I am willing to bet that next season will see regular attendances above this figure.

Leamington: Lee van Der Heyden, James Taylor, Nick Collen, Tim Green, Lee Scott, Jimmy Claridge, Mark Beezley, Lakhdeep Dosanjh, Leigh Martin, Neil Stacey (Ben Webster 84), Tom Rudge
Subs Not Used: Matt Mellings, James Mellings, Stuart Poole, Paul Wilkinson