Fiesta Time as Sleem Stunner Puts Brakes Through

With top-striker Nicholls sidelined because of work commitments, and Martin Thompson pulling up with a recurrence of his hamstring problem after 10 minutes, this was always going to be a struggle against an excellent Barrow side who have matched Brakes in each of their previous two encounters. But a superb defensive display, with Dhesi, Sidwell and Gregory outstanding, kept the Barrow threat to a minimum. Burgess nullified the dangerman Jerome North to limit his contribution and when Barrow did have sight of goal Gettings was there to add some quite brilliant saves to his burgeoning CV. A battling display by the rest of the team eventually broke a resolute Barrow defence and Sleem scored a stunner in the 83rd to wrap things up. There was a cameo appearance by new signing, Anthony Episcopo, in the last five minutes before many of the 158 crowd celebrated a fine victory which sets up an away tie in Round 2 at Alsager Town on Saturday 22 November. Fiesta time indeed, not least for 'keeper Gettings who passed his driving test last Monday and was promised, by Gettings Pere, that the car would be his if he kept a clean sheet.

For 10 minutes Barrow had Brakes chasing shadows as they passed the ball around with playmaker Herrod at the hub of everything. In the ninth minute Gettings flung himself across goal to turn round for a corner and a minute later Martin Thompson pulled up clutching his leg. In the absence of top-striker Paul Nicholls, who had to work, Brakes played with 10 men for five minutes hoping that Thompson would recover before bowing to the inevitable and bringing on Parisi. There were some hopeful signs with Sleem's headed flicks getting Shearsby away more than once and Parisi showing pace down the wing but this looked like being a dour struggle. Although there was no bad feeling, or especially rough play, Brakes, unusually, received two yellows, respectively Gregory in the 17th and Shearsby in the 26th.

But concern turned to hope as it became apparent that Brakes were containing Barrow. Herrod continued to impress but dangerman, North, was nowhere near as effective as he has been in both previous meetings, largely due to the close attentions throughout of Burgess who did a superb job of nullifying his threat. The back three of Gregory, Sidwell and Dhesi were restricting Barrow, mostly, to powder-puff shots from distance or blasts well over the bar. And when they were on target Gettings never fumbled, as the ball bobbled on an uneven pitch, and made some excellent saves, important because the game had all the hallmarks of being settled by a single goal. But the Barrow defence also had a measure of control though Shearsby's shot from 35yds in the 39th caused their 'keeper some difficulty.

Both teams stepped up a gear in the second half and it was Brakes who started to create more chances as the midfield took a grip. Steve Thompson, twice, could have set up the all-important goal, releasing Parisi, whose shot was blocked and then the industrious Blake, whose cross was well-gathered, both in the 59th minute. Sleem and Burgess got in on the act but a real chance was fluffed in the 66th when Parisi left a clear chance for Blake who, taken by surprise, popped it wide. Blake is certainly playing a vital role these days though different from the free-scoring, out-and-out striker of earlier years in the lower divisions. The influential Thompson again set up Sleem in the 72nd who couldn't get past the resolute, Barrow defence as the game seemed destined for extra time and penalties.

But an excellent move in the 80th set the pattern for the last 10 minutes. Sleem back-heeled a superb pass for Steve Thompson to run onto and he crossed to set up Parisi who had space and time but drove just over. However, Parisi made amends within minutes when he picked up a Steve Thompson header from midfield and slotted a defence-splitting pass through to Sleem who beat the onrushing 'keeper to the ball and cleverly guided it over him into the net to make it 0-1 in the 83rd minute. In the 87th minute, with two minutes of added time to be played, Brakes' new signing, Anthony Episcopo, replaced the remaining Thompson for a cameo role in the dying minutes, not long enough to stamp his authority on the game but showing a tenacity and turn of speed that augur well for the future, Brakes own atomic Ant.

Leamington: James Gettings; Jonny Burgess; Harj Dhesi; Tom Sidwell; Andy Gregory; Barry Shearsby; Darren Timms; Steve Thompson [Capt.] (Anthony Episcopo 87); Vernor Sleem; Martin Thompson (Ryan Parisi 15); Josh Blake
Subs Not Used: David Care; Niels Kristensen; Rich Morris (3 from 5 allowed in this competition).

Team News: Martin Thompson hamstring again - too early to say; Chris Hanrahan and Paul Nicholls missed because of work; Steve Thompson and Harj Dhesi miss Saturday's match as both are at a wedding (hopefully not the "happy couple").