Brakes Fail to Stop Hookie

Brakes more than matched Hook Norton Town, a level higher in the pyramid structure, for much of this game and continued to play some good football (the best of the 4 teams in the tournament according to Banbury United, the eventual winner's, website). With Umbi Sidhu at a wedding and Richard Morris injured Brakes played outfield player, Baz Shearsby, in goal. With Jonny Burgess at no. 8 there was an experimental (or desperation?) feel about this game but Brakes showed well early on with a good build-up out of defence by the impressive Crabtree through Blake and Thompson nearly leading to a goal on 11 minutes.

Some good, flowing football from Brakes was not rewarded as the final ball, too often, was played into the hands of Hook Norton's giant goalkeeper, then Hook Norton broke to score twice, in the 13th and 31st minutes, to give Brakes an uphill struggle, 0-2. That hill became a mountain when Hook Norton scored a 3rd on 59, 0-3, and Brakes football deteriorated as they tried the long ball option with too many balls played up in the air. But, paradoxically, Brakes then scored, in the 81st through Nicholls who strode through the defence slotting a low shot in the corner, 1-3. Moments before a "certain" penalty was denied Brakes when Nicholls was clearly upended in the area.

Brakes hopes lifted and rose still higher when Stacey was flattened just outside the box; Blake's free kick curled just wide of the left post. With Brakes on song Hook Norton broke and the referee, on the linesman's advice, judged the ball to have crossed the Brakes' line in the final minute though it looked to be well cleared to me and no goal claim had been made by the Hook Norton men.

So, on paper, not a good tournament for Brakes but they were not overawed by either team they played, both a level higher than the Midland Combination Premier, and looked as good as the winners, Banbury United, 2 levels higher. With one more match before the season starts in earnest the team looks sharp and capable of doing well with a good smattering of impressive, new talent, the only concern being the high number of injuries already picked up.

Leamington: Barry Shearsby, Jag Bahi, Mark Rowland, Andy Dix (Lee Scott 46), Andy Crabtree, Chris Handrahan, Simon Wickson (Neil Stacey 46), Jonny Burgess, Josh Blake, Paul Nicholls, Steve Thompson [Capt.]