Brakes Triumph at Muddy Meir

A cloudburst greeted the team coach as it entered the ground, sleet then hailstones raining down on an already wet pitch. Fortunately for 150 fans it was dry during the match but the conditions played a major role as both teams found it hard to master a ball that either skidded off a slippery surface or stopped dead with a muddy squelch. Brakes were well on top in the early stages going 1-0 up through Blake in the 21st and looking to win with ease. But a frustrated Meir clawed their way back and finished the half stronger after a 37th minute equaliser. The game turned again and Martin Thompson came off the bench to complement Sleem's silky skills and score what proved to be the winner in the 57th. With memories of recent games it was some relief when Brakes played out a tense period of stoppage time for an excellent, well-fought win which seemed even more valuable when news came through that Romulus had lost 4-0 and that both Feckenham and Rugby had drawn their matches.

Brakes threatened to swamp a hesitant Meir in the early stages with Timms running through, then Blake and Steve Thompson combining to force a corner within three minutes. The Meir 'keeper came out to foil a rampant Blake then Sleem and Steve Thompson interchanged passes to set up another chance. With Herlihy adding height and authority to midfield Meir couldn't get out of their own half. In the 15th Blake seemed certain to score when, again, his speed saw him through a hestiant defence and he rounded the 'keeper only to slightly overrun and see his goal effort beaten away.

On the rare occasions when Meir got out of their half they met Walker in magnificent form. He even found time and space to join the attack and set up Blake with a headed pass. The inevitable breakthrough came when, after good approach work, Sleem slipped the ball through for Blake to make it 0-1 in the 21st minute when he drove the ball low into the net, just reward for 20 minutes of untiring effort.

Several of the Meir players, and the bench, vented their frustration on the young assistant referee for not giving offside, and were warned about their behaviour but this all seemed to stir Meir into action for the game changed round completely on the half hour. It was now Meir who were on top and the first 20 minutes of almost total Brakes' dominance seemed a distant memory. Dhesi, Sidwell and Walker were just about hanging on with Dhesi clearing off the line in the 29th. It seemed as if Parisi was unclear about his role, or not in a role that suited his style, because his value in attack was offset by a vulnerability down that flank in defence.

Simmonds and Herlihy were performing well in midfield but now Brakes were rarely getting out of their own half. Although Parisi could have made it 0-2 in the 36th, after a beautiful, slide-rule pass from Sleem left him clear, it was Meir who scored next when the ball refused to move in the muddy area and was slotted home for 1-1 in the 37th.

Hopes were not high amongst the faithful at half-time. The pitch, which had been heavy from the start, was gradually worsening and threatening to make a lottery of the second half. But at least Brakes seemed to have stemmed the Meir tide as the game settled into a more even pattern at the resumption. Martin Thompson came off the bench in the 54th and almost immediately added the dimension that was lacking. Suddenly Sleem's flicks and through balls seemed more purposeful as the deceptively strong Martin Thompson was latching on to them and getting past defenders. Indeed, a perfect Sleem through-ball was picked up by Martin Thompson in the 57th and lashed home to put Brakes in front 1-2.

But, this time, Meir did not come back though they had their chances in what was really a good game considering the conditions. The Brakes fans suffered and moaned, probably with thoughts of recent occasions too fresh in the mind, but the team stuck to their task. Herlihy was getting stuck-in, adding height and authority to midfield, Walker was unfaltering and Dhesi mopped up at the back as only Dhesi can. A feature of the performance at this stage was, undoubtedly, the understanding and interplay between Sleem and Martin Thompson. I do hope that there is room for this when all the wounded return as I think it could blossom.

Steve Thompson got past his man to cross, low and hard, into the area, in the 76th with the Meir 'keeper injured while keeping the ball out and Brakes had another clear-cut chance when Herlihy's incisive pass in the 86th released Blake, one-on-one with the Meir 'keeper, who came out well and did just enough to deflect the ball away from goal. Sleem went close with a 40/50 yard shot, one of those that opposition press refer to as unintended and lucky if they come off. As the clock crept into stoppage time the tension felt by the crowd was almost palpable. But that man Martin Thompson again showed his intelligence, this time using strength and skill to take the ball into a corner where he retained it well before losing it for a corner kick with the sound of jangling nerves turning to shouts of triumph moments later.

Leamington: Richard Morris; Ryan Parisi (Chris Hanrahan 67); Harj Dhesi; Tom Sidwell; Simon Walker; Darren Timms; Stuart Herlihy; Mark Simmonds (Martin Thompson 54); Vernor Sleem; Josh Blake; Steve Thompson [Capt]
Subs Not Used: Niels Kristensen

Leamington Team News: Paul Nicholls and David Care hamstrings still a little away from return; Barry Shearsby and, now, Andy Gregory have groin strains, prognosis not known (few weeks?); Jonny Burgess is fit but avoiding injury or disfigurement before the "big day" next Saturday, have a good one Jonny B and love and best wishes from all your many fans - just make sure that the marriage doesn't interfere with your football.