By Roger Vincent

Brakes' Run Continues

This match was called off in the morning when Redditch announced that they couldn't raise a team and then put back on later in the day though news didn't reach the web-site until 6pm. A small crowd of 25 fans braved a biting, cold wind to see Brakes hit 2 in 2 minutes of the first half through Rudge and Tolley adding another from Martin in the second to run out comfortable winners with their fourth win, and clean sheet, in a row.

A greasy surface after a lot of rain meant both teams had difficulty in controlling the ball in the early stages but Brakes started to take the initiative with Claridge and Tolley showing well. Tolley's speed was worrying the Redditch defence and brought its reward when he was brought down in the area in the 30th minute. Claridge's penalty was beaten out by the goalkeeper but Rudge fastened on to the loose ball and smashed it home, 1-0. The impressive Tolley doubled the advantage, 2-0, in the 32nd when he powered down the right flank then turned on goal to drive a low shot into the far corner of the net.

Shaw came on for Matt Mellings at the start of the second half with Poole replacing Collen in the 52nd. Brakes were now playing some good football with Taylor, in particular, showing well defensively and in his distribution. Although Tolley hit the side-netting Redditch were coming back into the game. In the 67th Kyriacou replaced Rudge, who was struggling with a thigh strain, and added a new impetus as Brakes started to impose themselves once more.

Claridge did well with a run and cross that was hacked away and Martin deserved better when a strong run at goal in the 70th ended with an obstruction in the area; the twice-taken kick was wasted. With Brakes well on top a Redditch break brought a good save from Van der Heyden in the 77th and served a warning. However, Martin put the result beyond doubt at 3-0 in the 82nd when he beat the goalkeeper to a loose ball and, though driven wide of the goal, turned and cleverly lobbed home from a tight angle.

Redditch brought another good save from Van der Heyden a minute later but Brakes could have increased their lead in the last 2 minutes when the lively Kyriacou ran on goal at speed only to drive just wide and Tolley set off on a brilliant run in stoppage time to ghost past 3 defenders only to see a good cross just touched away to safety.

Leamington: Lee van der Heyden; James Taylor; Nick Collen (Stuart Poole 52); Tim Green (Capt.); Ben Webster; Matt Mellings (alex Shaw 46); Mark Beezley; Jimmy Claridge; Leigh Martin; Josh Tolley; Tom Rudge (Nik Kyriacou 67)