Honours Even in Vase Stalemate

A spectacular shot by Barrow substitute Jerome North at the end of the first period of extra time denied Brakes victory in this first round Carling FA Vase tie. A replay at Barrow on Tuesday night now beckons and all the signs are that it will be a tough assignment.

The continuing Autumn sunshine brought out a crowd of 458 to see if Brakes could repeat last year's victory over their Leicestershire Senior League opponents. On days like this, the picturesque New Windmill Ground offers the perfect break from the day job and the Chesterton Mill stood gleaming in the distance against a dazzling blue sky. All seemed bright on the pitch as well when Brakes took the lead on ten minutes. Skipper Steve Thompson was fouled and a crowd of players lined up to take the free-kick. There was never much doubt that Harj Dhesi would claim the ball, nor that his perfectly flighted shot would sail into the net past Barrow 'keeper Sean Bowles (1-0). Who needs David Beckham?

Josh Blake was involved in a number of Brakes moves, just failing to reach a Tom Sidwell lob into the penalty area on thirteen minutes and then controlling a high cross before turning and shooting six minutes later. Goalkeeper James Gettings, who is now enjoying cult-hero status after his penalty shoot-out saves at Polesworth North Warwick, got down well at the feet of an oncoming forward on 23 minutes. At the other end, Blake, Paul Nicholls and Vernor Sleem all had chances to increase the lead. Right on the stroke of half-time, an inswinging cross from Darren Timms on the right was punched clear by Bowles and Brakes went in with just the single goal to show for their efforts.

Within three minutes of the restart, Barrow were level when Andy Almond out-jumped a static Brakes defence to head home into the corner (1-1). Paul Nicholls then caused panic in the visitors' defence sending over a cross on 50 minutes that nearly resulted in an own goal, However, at this stage, there were too many mistakes in the Brakes performance to feel comfortable with the scoreline and, on 61 minutes, Gettings was again called into action tipping a shot over the bar. Chris Hanrahan was booked for a foul and almost immediately Barrow's Ian Groves went into the referee's notebook for a tackle on Darren Timms. The nearest that Brakes came to re-taking the lead was a long-range shot from Andy Gregory on 72 minutes. The referee then booked Gregory for a foul and Barrow's Jerome North for not retreating ten yards at a free-kick.

The introduction of Martin Thompson brought added pace to the Brakes attack and his shot two minutes from time was cleared off the line. Nicholls also had a chance to score right at the end of normal time, but shot well wide. Within two minutes of the start of extra time, Gettings pulled off a flying save from North to keep Brakes in the match and all seemed to have worked out well when the "Thompson Twins" combined on 95 minutes to restore the lead. Martin ran powerfully into the penalty area and crossed low from the right for Steve to net perfectly (2-1). That seemed to wrap the match up until North's dipping shot in the 105th minute brought Barrow an equaliser and another chance to scoop the winner's £600 prize.

Manager Jason Cadden was far from downbeat after the match, saying "Whilst I was disappointed that we only drew after leading twice, it was a good performance. We did let it slip at the end but this is what the FA Vase is all about. We know from last season that they have a good pitch which will suit us and we are looking forward to the replay."

Leamington: James Gettings; Jonny Burgess (David Care 104); Harj Dhesi; Tom Sidwell; Andy Gregory; Darren Timms; Chris Hanrahan (Barry Shearsby 68); Steve Thompson [Capt.]; Vernor Sleem (Martin Thompson 74); Paul Nicholls; Josh Blake
Subs Not Used: Ryan Parisi; Rich Morris (3 from 5 allowed in this competition).

Team News: James Harri injured "couple of weeks", as is Si Walker.