Police Under the Cosh as Brakes Score Three

Brakes were 2-0 up in 10 minutes through an excellent Shearsby strike in the fourth minute and a bizarre own goal by Police 'keeper Carmell. Carmell then made amends with an excellent display and Brakes couldn't make their superiority count until the 81st minute when Parisi slotted a third. The match was played on a hard, slippery pitch with ice forming on the rails before kick off in front of a crowd of 202 equalling Brakes lowest of the season. But there were no injuries in difficult conditions and Brakes kept something in reserve for the big one in the Vase on Saturday.

Frost was settling on the rails and the pitch whitening as 202 of the faithful (and two dogs) gathered beneath a moonlit sky to see Brakes back in league action after three cup matches in the last four games. The Norwich groundhopper regaled us with tales of Guatemala v El Salvador and Littlehampton Town; we gave him tea and biscuits. Our old friend, Jim Scott, the Police's manager appeared on their bench, transformed into James Scott (though we spotted that one), but despite a shortage in the subs department this was a team capable of beating anyone on their day with leading striker, Mark Bellingham, up front, also now on Sutton Coldfield's books, a move we hope doesn't exclude him from the Midland Combination Representative side.

But Brakes, seeking to restore winning ways after two reverses in a row, were soon ahead. Nicholls pushed an inch-perfect pass through the middle and Shearsby latched onto it to drive a low shot into the corner in the 4th minute, 1-0. Steve Thompson was getting down the wing and whipping balls into the middle as Brakes threatened. Then, in the 10th minute Brakes were 2-0 up through a bizarre own goal. Police goalkeeper, Darren Carmell, shaped to take a free kick near his own corner and aimed it at a Police defender clear on the far side. With most of the crowd looking upfield he caught it with the side of his foot to send it into his own goal. Just one of those once-in-a-career moments Darren but we have the video if you'd like to make a (huge) offer for its destruction. Fortunately Darren didn't let it get to him, indulged in friendly banter with the Brakes fans, and then played a blinder - so maybe Brakes would have scored more if he hadn't slotted it.

Steve Thompson was on song and Brakes nearly increased their lead in the 23rd when his long cross from the left was met by Blake's soaring header but just tipped over for a corner. Two minutes later Nicholls turned inside on the left and drove an angled shot on target which was turned round the post. Simmonds was shaping well in midfield and nearly set up Sidwell, still upfield after a corner, in the 26th and Blake was unlucky a minute later when he met a Care cross to bring a brilliant, instinctive save from 'keeper Carmell. Care was going past a hestant defence and there was little threat from the Police as Nicholls and Gregory both went close before the half drew to a close.

Whether the big match on Saturday was playing on minds I don't know but the half hour after the break resulted in nothing of note. There was little flowing movement and the midfield seemed to have gone AWOL. But Parisi, coming on for Nicholls in the 72nd, brought a new impetus. A 75th minute drive from a Care cross was tipped over the bar as Brakes forced a succession of corners. Brakes were keeping the ball with good movement up both flanks. Parisi was looking dangerous and, in the 81st minute, he got his reward when he made it 3-0 smashing home an unstoppable drive after excellent work by the increasingly influential Simmonds.

Now Brakes were hitting the ball around as fitness told and fresh legs came on. Steve Thompson nearly made a header count in the 83rd which hit the top of the bar, Parisi released a tremendous defence-splitting pass to Care and both Steve Thompson's cross and Gregory's header were just kept out before Sleem and Care combined to set up Steve Thompson in the last minute for another close call as Brakes peppered the resilient Police goal.

Leamington: Richard Morris; David Care; Tom Sidwell; Niels Kristensen; Andy Gregory; Darren Timms; Barry Shearsby (Harj Dhesi 85); Mark Simmonds; Josh Blake (Vernor Sleem 81); Paul Nicholls (Ryan Parisi 72); Steve Thompson [Capt.]

Team News: Anthony Episcopo at the match but looking a bit peaky; Jonny Burgess has recovered and was there as well.