Frost Bites in New Windmill Scorcher

As the sun beat down from a clear blue sky, even watching football was thirsty work for the 201 spectators enjoying a glorious summer's afternoon in the Warwickshire countryside. Full marks then to both sides for putting on such an entertaining match that saw numerous cricket-style drinks breaks to revive flagging limbs.

This was by no means a full-strength Bedworth team, being based around the Academy and Youth sides. However, after the disappointing performance against Coventry Sphinx, Brakes were clearly determined to put on a good show in the last match before the season proper starts at the New Windmill on the 16th. All could have been in vain as early as the seventh minute when James Gettings was called upon to make a point-blank save to keep Brakes in the match. A minute later, the returning Nick McFarlane, who again showed excellent skills, just put a header wide of the post.

Josh Blake, who had his best match for some time, shot across the face of the goal on 16 minutes before combining well with McFarlane and Vernor Sleem, whose goalbound header was cleared by a defender. A drinks break on 28 minutes saw the first appearance of the season by Brian Agar, prompting speculation that news of his retirement was greatly exaggerated.

Brakes finally broke the deadlock on 35 minutes when a cross from the right by Jonny Burgess was met by Vernor Sleem who slammed the ball into the corner of the net past visiting 'keeper Dan Whitehouse (1-0). A fine solo effort by Blake two minutes later was well saved and a cross cum shot from Paul Frost (on for McFarlane) was fumbled by the 'keeper on 40 minutes.

Half Time 1-0

The greatest challenge of the second half off the field was keeping track of the Brakes' substitutions as manager Jason Cadden used as many of his squad as possible. On the field, it was keeping running in the searing heat and Paul Frost did just that putting away a Shearsby corner on 53 minutes (2-0). Some thought that it was an own goal, but that would have spoiled a good headline and Frost got the congratulations of his fellow players. Bedworth nearly pulled one back in the sixtieth minute with the home defence looking in vain for an offside decision, but Ian McVarish put his shot wide.

A cheer went round from the home fans in the sixty-ninth minute when Brian Agar came on for real, replacing Vernor Sleem. However, it was not the best of starts as Agar managed to end up on the deck with his first touch of the ball. The visitors did score on 76 minutes through Lee Moore who beat two defenders before placing his shot wide of Richard Morris (2-1). And there the score stayed, although right at the end, a goalbound Agar shot was palmed away by Bedworth substitute 'keeper Andrew Kemp.

Reflecting on the five pre-season friendlies, manager Jason Caddon said "I have been very happy with the whole programme which has given us a good workout and was the best we have had since we started back. Everyone did well in the heat today and, had we put away our chances, we could have been four up at the break. It was nice to finish on a win and we are all looking forward to getting started for real"

Leamington: James Gettings (Richard Morris 46); Jonny Burgess (Josh Blake 76); Harj Dhesi; Simon Walker (Niels Kristensen 58); Tom Sidwell (Andy Gregory 63); Simon Wickson (Baz Shearsby 35-82); Darren Timms (Scott Easterlow 46); Chris Hanrahan (Jac Sheppard 63); Josh Blake (Paul Holland 42); Vernor Sleem (Brian Agar 69); Nick McFarlane (Paul Frost 40)

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