Brakes Off for Stroll in the Sun as Stacey Grabs Hat-Trick

Northants Combination outfit, Priors Sports, who won promotion to Division 2 last season, never really threatened at their Priors Marston ground though their flat, back 8 kept Brakes at bay until the 25th minute when Sidwell headed home from a Thompson corner. Mort slotted home a penalty in the 28th after a deft tip over the bar from a Sports defender and Brakes looked well in control by half-time with two further goals, a Timms header from a Bahi cross in the 39th and a superb Wickson strike in the 44th.

Both newcomers, Jag Bahi from Southam United and Scott Curphey a Leeds University student with experience at RC Warwick, showed well as did youth team goalkeeper, senior debutant Lee van der Heyden, though with less opportunity to impress. Wickson, in particular, looked back to his best after an injury-ruined last season.

With Brakes interchanging players in the hot sun the second half was particular notable for good performances from last year's youth players: Tim Green, Lee Scott and Neil Stacey, though the last two had already made brief, senior appearances. It was Stacey who grabs the headlines with a second-half hat-trick in the 58th, 60th and 82nd minute. The only down-side of a good, competent Brakes performance was the first half injury to Jamie Barr with a twisted ankle, prognosis unknown.

Leamington, From: Lee van der Heyden, Jonny Burgess, Jamie Barr, Tom Sidwell, Andy Gregory, Daz Timms, Nick Mort, Jag Bahi, Baz Shearsby, Simon Wickson, Steve Thompson, Neil Stacey, Brian Agar, Scott Curphey, Tim Green, Lee Scott