Brakes Badger Brocton to Opening Defeat

It was another glorious Summer's day at the New Windmill and a good crowd of 402 saw the perfect start to Brakes' 2003/04 campaign. Two goals from Darren Timms and one from Baz Shearsby gave new boys Brocton a tough baptism into the Midland Combination Premier Division.

The starting line-up showed only one addition from last season with ex-Alveston striker Vernor Sleem partnering Josh Blake in attack. After what was a relatively quiet year last time, Blake has found a new lease of life and could have scored after only three minutes. However, his fine solo effort was well saved by visiting keeper Michael Shelper. The first fifteen minutes very much belonged to Brakes and good efforts from Steve Thompson, Si Wickson and more from the lively Blake ensured that the visitors had to work hard to stay on level terms.

Brocton started to come into the game and, on twenty minutes, Michael Fox beat Tom Sidwell to the goal line but his dangerous-looking cross was well cut out by James Gettings. The young Brakes' 'keeper has had his critics in pre-season matches (notably at Coventry Sphinx) but looked very assured here in a good Brakes' defensive performance.

The home side deservedly took the lead on 22 minutes. Harj Dhesi floated in a free-kick from the left which was met by Sleem. His header seemed to be on its way to goal but Timms nipped in to make doubly sure (1-0). Brakes doubled the advantage in the 29th minute through Timms again as the experienced midfielder's glancing header from a trademark Steve Thompson long throw deceived Shelper (2-0).

Brocton had a good opportunity to pull one back ten minutes before half-time when Fox beat Dhesi to the ball, but Gettings was up to the challenge saving the Brocton striker's attempted chip.

The match was effectively all over in the 49th minute as a deep cross from the right by Wickson was headed into the top corner by my man-of-the-match Baz Shearsby (3-0). More good efforts from Blake and Steve Thompson could have increased the lead but, to their credit, Brocton kept working and should have taken advantage of goal-scoring opportunities on 82 and 90 minutes when only Gettings stood between them and the target, substitutes Peter Walker and Andrew Harrison being the guilty culprits.

Manager Jason Cadden, in sole charge for his first league match, said "this was a good workmanlike performance. After six weeks of training, we were ready and I knew what we could do. They did everything that I asked and I was pleased with the way that Vernor worked well with Josh. To keep a blank sheet was a bonus and both James Gettings and the back three played well".

Leamington: James Gettings; Jonny Burgess (David Care 61); Harj Dhesi; Andy Gregory; Tom Sidwell; Darren Timms; Barry Shearsby (Chris Hanrahan 73); Simon Wickson (Paul Frost 67); Josh Blake; Vernor Sleem; Steve Thompson [Capt.]

Team News: Nick McFarlane and Simon Walker injured; several others on holiday