By David Hucker

Brakes Win Thriller at Chilly New Windmill

Brakes snatched a dramatic victory under the New Windmill lights on Tuesday to consolidate their position in the top three of the ICIS Midland Combination Premier Division. Trailing 3-1 midway through the second half, the home side looked to be staring defeat in the face but a fighting comeback warmed the hands and hearts of the 174 brave souls who defied the elements on a freezing cold night.

Romulus were by far the quicker and more determined side in the first half as they looked to avenge the 2-1 home defeat inflicted on them by Brakes back in August. The visitors took the lead on twelve minutes when a low shot from the left went wide of the outstretched hand of Andy Biffin into the far corner of the net. Brakes could have snatched an equaliser two minutes later when Paul Nicholls' goalbound header was pushed round the post by the Romulus keeper. However, before Brakes could launch another attack, Romulus stretched their lead on fifteen minutes with another shot low into the corner.

Darren Timms, who along with Andy Gregory, had a fine match, reduced the arrears with a header on twenty-seven minutes and then Biffin kept Brakes in the game with two saves just before half-time, the second one with his feet. Hopes of a comeback appeared to be dashed within three minutes of the restart when the Brakes' defence froze and Biffin was left exposed for the visitors' third goal. With Ben Adams and Tom Sidwell introduced into the side, Glen Webb moved upfield and Brakes started to come into the game more. Leading scorer Nicholls headed home on sixty-eight minutes and then Jonny Burgess, who had replaced the injured Webb, levelled the scores with stunning shot from the touchline with only eight minutes remaining.

The scene was set for a grandstand finish and, when Nicholls turned his marker and was brought down inside the penalty area, referee Gary Townsend immediately pointed to the spot. Nicholls got up from the floor to put the penalty kick away and secure victory in a pulsating match that ebbed and flowed throughout the ninety minutes.

Joint manager Jason Cadden said afterwards "I need to have my blood pressure checked after that one. We were out of the game at 1-3 but Paul Nicholls' goal came at the right time and gave us belief to press for an equaliser which came from a great shot by Jonny Burgess. We rode our luck and snatched victory at the death".

Leamington: Andy Biffin, Tom Saunders (Ben Adams 50), Harj Dhesi, Simon Walker, Andy Gregory, Glen Webb (Jonny Burgess 69), Darren Timms, Andy Ellis, Josh Blake, Paul Nicholls, Steve Thompson [Capt.] (Tom Sidwell 52)

Team News: Steve Thompson (thigh), Tom Saunders (groin) and Glen Webb (ankle) all limped away from this game - prognoses not yet known; Brian Agar training to regain fitness.