By David Hucker

Buoyant Brakes Finish Feckenham to Go Second

Despite falling behind to a breakaway goal on the stroke of half-time, Brakes staged their now familiar second half rally to clinch all three points and maintain their challenge for the ICIS Midland Combination Premier Division title.

On a gloomy afternoon, the New Windmill floodlights were on from the outset and Brakes mounted wave after wave of attacks in an opening spell that saw goalkeeper Andy Biffin reduced to the role of spectator. The best of the early chances fell to Josh Blake whose fine solo run on twelve minutes ended with his right-footed shot rebounding off the crossbar. The woodwork again came to Feckenham's rescue in the twenty-third minute when Paul Nicholls' header from a Harj Dhesi corner hit the foot of the post.

In the absence of Steve Thompson, Darren Timms took over the captaincy and he combined well with the impressive Andy Ellis to prompt further attacks on the visitors' goal. However, it was defender Andy Gregory who had the best chance to break the deadlock but his thirty-fourth minute header went over the bar. With half-time approaching, the match took a bad turn for the home side with Glen Webb being carried off with an injury to his right knee. Before Brakes could bring on substitute Simon Wickson, Feckenham broke away and scored through Paul Court with keeper Biffin lying injured on the edge of the penalty area.

The half-time team talk again did the trick for Brakes as, within three minutes of the restart, leading scorer Nicholls headed home Nick Mort's corner. Then on fifty-one minutes, Nicholls was upended just outside the penalty area and Harj Dhesi stepped up to take one of his trademark free kicks that saw the ball curl into the top corner away from the visiting keeper's outstretched hand. Brakes again piled on the pressure and a good cross by the excellent Jonny Burgess was just headed wide by Nicholls. With time ticking away, Brakes lost another player to injury when goalkeeper Biffin was carried off at the end of normal time with a damaged left ankle. Substitute, Tom Sidwell, took his place between the posts and the defence played well to shield him from having to make a save during injury time.

All in all, this was a solid Brakes' performance played out before a crowd of 280. Josh Blake worked hard tackling back when needed from his wide position on the left and Andy Ellis looked a class player in the mould of crowd favourite Brian Agar. The good news for fans is that the evergreen Agar is ready to return to increase the midfield options.

Commenting on a job well done, co-manager Barry Proctor said, "I felt we were the better team throughout and always looked to play it along the ground rather than a long-ball approach adopted by Feckenham. In the second half in particular, we played the simple ball, keeping possession and being patient in our build-up."

This was a hard-fought victory over a side near the foot of the table and the significance became clear as news filtered in of second-place Alvechurch's surprise home defeat by lowly Meir KA and Rugby Town's draw at West Midlands Police. This meant that Brakes had closed to within two points of the top and have still to play leaders Rugby Town home and away.

Leamington: Andy Biffin (Tom Sidwell 90), Jonny Burgess, Harj Dhesi, Simon Walker, Andy Gregory, Glen Webb (Simon Wickson 45), Nick Mort, Andy Ellis (Chris Hanrahan 86), Darren Timms [Capt.], Paul Nicholls, Josh Blake

Team News: Andy Biffin - prognosis not known but not good; Glen Webb knee strapped up to go with dodgy ankle - more hopeful; Steve Thompson thigh - not known how long; Ben Adams fit but in Ireland; Brian Agar set to return.
Addendum Sun 15 Dec. Sadly Andy Biffin has broken his leg (tibia) and is unlikely to play again this season; good luck Biffo and, if possible, have a happy birthday on Sat 28th. Glen Webb's injury is also more serious than hoped and damaged ligaments will keep him out for several weeks - another sad loss of an important player.