By Roger Vincent

Brakes Rolled Over by Mickleover in Front of 412

With 90 seconds gone play was stopped when Brakes had two injured players down after hard tackles, one on Shearsby at the kick-off. Shearsby was replaced in the 8th minute and with two other players hobbling badly Mickleover took the lead in the 28th. With 30 minutes gone Brakes were forced to use their remaining subs as play was held up while the referee, clutching his hamstring, was also replaced. With striker Nicholls injured last week, and Blake not match-fit after a long lay-off, Brakes struggled to score against a resolute Mickleover defence and conceded a second in stoppage time as they pushed for an unlikely equaliser with further attacking options thwarted by all the substitutes having been used.

Shearsby fell to an over-the-ball challenge straight from the kick-off and Rowland was felled moments later; at 90 seconds both physios were on the pitch tending Brakes' players. In the 8th minute Mort replaced the struggling Shearsby. Brakes were on the back foot and Day had to make a good save from close range in the 11th minute. Although Blake, Adams and Mort combined well to release Agar, who shot just wide, the next threatening move was from Mickleover in the 21st when Day saved a powerful header. Minutes later Timms headed away another goal-bound header as Mickleover turned the screw. With both Rowland and Adams limping badly it was no real surprise when Holness made it 1-0 for Mickleover in the 28th minute with a superb, angled shot pulled well wide of Day.

Gregory replaced a badly limping Rowland in the 29th as Adams received help on the line from the Leamington Physio. With play stopped whilst the referee (hamstring) was replaced it became apparent that Adams could not continue and he was replaced by Burgess when play restarted in the 34th. The remaining, standing defenders were performing heroically with Sidwell, Walker and Day in commanding form. But with top striker Nicholls out injured, Blake not fully match-fit in his first start for many weeks, and striker Stacey unusable with all three, allowed substitutes on the pitch, Brakes faced an uphill struggle against a good defence. As a long first half drew to a close Gregory cleared off the line and Day saved well at the post.

Brakes were playing some pretty football at times but they couldn't overcome the more physical approach from the home side. Webb and Agar were targeted as main playmakers by Mickleover, who had done their homework in a visit to the NWG, and as a consequence Brakes' efforts were being nullified at source. But there were better moments in the second half as, first, Blake, Webb and Thompson combined well then Agar blasted just over. But there was no real threat to the Mickleover goal. Brakes had a let-off in the 68th when a free header was put over the bar from a corner, and another in the 74th when a Sports free kick hit the post and was then cleared off the line in the resulting melee.

But with only one goal in it Brakes were still in with a chance as the previously solid Sports defence showed some signs of panic with the game drawing to a close and Brakes pushing upfield. But with 90 minutes up a free kick was conceded on the edge of the box by a rare mistake from the superb Walker and Mays blasted home to make it 2-0. Although nearly seven minutes were added Brakes could make no further headway as the game, appropriately, limped to a halt.

Leamington: Myles Day, Ben Adams (Jon Burgess 34), Simon Walker, Tom Sidwell, Mark Rowland (Andy Gregory 29), Darren Timms, Glen Webb, Barry Shearsby (Nick Mort 8), Brian Agar, Josh Blake, Steve Thompson [Capt.]
Subs Not Used: Neil Stacey, Chris Hanrahan

Team News: No real news yet on injuries but Shearsby and Rowland look more serious than Adams. All are seeing a physio. in the week but all three, plus Nicholls, must be doubtful for Highgate on Saturday.