Herlihy Gets Clincher Four Minutes Into Brakes' Debut

New signing, midfielder Stuart Herlihy, came off the bench in the 64th minute and scored the winner with a powerful downward header in the 68th from a Shearsby cross to add to Shearsby's own 25th minute header from a Steve Thompson cross. Both sides missed penalties and Episcopo, who was at the heart of most of the creative moves, also hit the bar in an entertaining game before 343 fans. Martin Thompson returned from injury in the 71st and Parisi made his first start after eight appearances off the bench in a comprehensive vistory against a Coleshill side who promised more than they delivered.

It was a blustery day at the New Windmill and, although the promised downpour didn't materialise, this was a slippery pitch after a lot of rain in the last 48 hours. 343 fans, below the average this season of nearly 400 but OK for the time of year, were there to see what promised to be an interesting match after the excellent mid-week win at Marconi following the home defeat last Saturday. Also of concern was what effect the impending FA Vase contest next Saturday might have.

Early signs were promising with Sleem lobbing the ball just wide in the 6th minute for what would have been a trademark Sleem goal and Shearsby running from his own half in the 13th only to finish with a tame shot. A minute later Episcopo and Sleem combined superbly but the ball just ran away from Episcopo as he rounded the Coleshill 'keeper. A feature of this early play was the creative display by Episcopo, who was at the heart of every move, and the delicate skills of target man Sleem.

Despite a scare in the 15th when Sidwell rescued Brakes with a saving tackle it was all Leamington and the pressure told in the 25th minute when Shearsby made it 1-0 with a superb header. Episcopo started the move, threading a ball through for Blake who released Steve Thompson on the left. Thompson skipped like a youing colt to the goal-line and delivered a pin-point cross onto Shearsby's head.

Episcopo was behind most moves but there was a heartening understanding between all of the midfield and front runners that hasn't been so apparent in some matches. Steve Thompson, Blake and Shearsby combined to release Parisi in the 33rd and Timms had two chances in a minute, a low drive from a Blake pass and a run on goal which was thwarted at the last. The only concern was that the left flank seemed a little exposed but Coleshill's right wing-back couldn't make the space count though better teams might.

With the half drawing to a close Brakes sought the comfort zone of a second goal before half-time. Blake and Sleem exchanged a superb one-two with Blake's shot just wide and Shearsby ran through and sent over a cross that just eluded the industrious Blake. Then Blake ran into the area with the 45 up and was upended. Shearsby crashed home the resulting penalty but the referee ordered it to be retaken because of encroachment and this time the 'keeper made a good save.

A little bit of edginess crept in to the start of the second half. Coleshill were not often threatening and Brakes' excellent defence was coping well when they did. But memories of Feckenham maybe played a part as Brakes resorted to the hoof upfield rather than the patient approach play that is always more effective. Morris punched clear in the 51st but only to a Coleshill player who returned it but, thankfully, well wide. Brakes started to come back into the game with Parisi showing his worth, first wriggling through into the area and then combining with the excellent Walker to set up a strike for Shearsby that was palmed over by the 'keeper.

New signing Stuart Herlihy, signed in the week and also eligible for the Vase, came on in the 64th minute for his Brakes' debut and made an immediate impact. He looks strong and easy on the ball and also adds some height to what is still a relatively small side. He nearly made his mark with an interchange with Parisi in the 67th that set up Episcopo whose shot from 25yds crashed against the bar. But the biggest change in Brakes at this stage was that they were keeping possession and denying Coleshill opportunities though one goal never seemed enough. Then, in the 68th minute that was put right when Herlihy made it 2-0 in the 4th minute of his debut when he powerfully headed the ball down into the net from a Shearsby cross for a dream debut.

And, as if that wasn't enough for the cheering fans, Martin Thompson made his comeback after long-term injury coming off the bench in the 71st. Sleem nearly added to the score a minute later when he juggled the ball into the Coleshill area and shot just wide then used his power and skill, in conjunction with Shearsby, to release Martin Thompson who was adjudged offside. In the 78th, in what was nearly (not for the 1st time) a tale of two Thompsons, Martin crossed for Steve to run in from the left for another close call for the Coleshill 'keeper.

Kristensen came on for the last 10 minutes, returning from a holiday in his native Denmark then a week's suspension for the red card earned at Alsager in the Vase, to further emphasise Brakes' strength in depth that must favour Leamington in the run-in to the tile race. With Brakes well in control the referee awarded a late penalty to Coleshill, in the 87th, presumably for an infringement though it wasn't obvious and no-one was booked. But eight minutes of agonising tension were avoided when Morris, whose handling in the greasy conditions had been exemplary throughout, dived to his right to keep the ball out though then he could only watch as the penalty-taker latched onto the rebound but crashed the ball against the bar.

Leamington: Richard Morris; Ryan Parisi (Martin Thompson 71); Simon Walker; Tom Sidwell; Andy Gregory (Niels Kristensen 79); Anthony Episcopo; Barry Shearsby; Darren Timms (Stuart Herlihy 64); Vernor Sleem; Josh Blake; Steve Thompson [Capt]

Leamington Team News: Paul Nicholls, Nick McFarlane and David Care still injured; Simon Wickson building strength after operations and long lay-off now expects to be back end of January; Jonny Burgess, Mark Simmonds and Harj Dhesi travelling North to Newcastle on Tyne for Jonny B's stag night; Jonny B's mum missing in Venice for hen night; Chris Hanrahan at the match.