By David Hucker

Brakes Hit 3 With 3rd Win and 3rd Clean Sheet in a Row

Brakes completed their programme of matches at Stratford Town's Masons Road ground with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Oldbury United.

A broken wrist kept James Mellings out of the side and gave Matthew Mellings the chance of a full ninety minutes play for the first time this season. The only other change from Tuesday's team was Alex Shaw for James Taylor at right back.

The first thirty minutes were fairly one-way traffic as Leamington mounted wave after wave of attacks with both Neil Stacey and Leigh Martin having good chances to score. Then, in the 40th minute, a shot from Oldbury rattled the Brakes' crossbar just to remind the home side that there were two teams on the pitch. A fine solo effort by Leigh Martin a minute before half-time settled the nerves as Brakes went in with a deserved one goal interval lead.

Lee van der Heyden started the second-half in goal but had little to do as Leamington pressed to extend their lead. On the hour, the visitors failed to clear a Jimmy Claridge corner and Tom Rudge drove the ball into the corner of the net for his fifth goal of the season. Live-wire substitute, Josh Tolley, made a fine run on 86 minutes which was finished off by Mark Beezley for the third.

The benefits of a settled side are now beginning to show with Tim Green and Ben Webster forming a strong defensive partnership. They are due to be tested again next Tuesday at the New Windmill against Redditch United in a change from the advertised fixture against Rugby United who swap dates and visit the New Windmill on 9th May.

An entertaining evening with the added bonus of Roger Vincent's tale of the mechanical talking parrot on sale to lonely "oldies" by SAGA. If you need cheering up, just ask Roger for the details.

Leamington: Umbi Sidhu (Lee van der Heyden 46); Alex Shaw; Nick Collen (Stuart Poole 69); Tim Green (Capt.); Ben Webster; Matt Mellings; Mark Beezley; Jimmy Claridge; Leigh Martin; Neil Stacey; Tom Rudge (Josh Tolley 69)