Rampant Roms Run In Four to Shatter Final Cup Hopes

The smallest crowd of the season, 196, saw Brakes go out of the last cup of the campaign by a record margin on a freezing Tuesday night. Andy Biffin returned, after more than a year out with a broken leg, and, inevitably, struggled against a fast-running Romulus side who kept Brakes on the back foot throughout. A three goal, half-time deficit was just too much to get back and a 4th goal just after the hour made it impossible. But Brakes kept battling and the return of Wickson after a long lay-off was a bonus with Herlihy also showing what an asset he will be as Brakes turn their attentions to what has always been the priority and focus on the league.

The early stages were dominated by Romulus though those of us at their place for the league match remembered a similar start with Brakes riding out the storm to win the match. But, despite the promise of an 8th minute chance, when Martin set up Steve Thompson, it was not to be. In the 16th minute it was 0-1 when a long cross from the right was nodded home. Brakes 'keeper Biffin, back after a long lay-off of over a year, needed a different sort of reintroduction than a nippy Romulus attack on a very cold night. Obviously he is not match-fit and still seems to carry too much weight. In the 21st Romulus were 0-2 ahead when Biffin failed to gather a high ball cleanly and it was poked into the net.

Herlihy and Blake were showing perseverance, and Walker getting in some good clearances. But, again, there seemed uncertainty about roles on Brakes' right with, too often, Parisi well up in scoring positions leaving two Romulus players wide on their left with Sidwell between them and goal. The game was quick but lacking composure, a frenetic affair with Brakes being pulled around by a nippy Romulus team playing to Brakes' weaknesses. Even so, with past experience, it seemed possible that a Brakes' goal could make all the difference. But, after a mazy cross-field run from Herlihy in the 35th, Romulus responded in the 39th making it 0-3 when a period of Leamington pressure resulted in a corner only for a hoofed clearance to be picked up by a Romulus forward who slipped the ball past the advancing Biffin in a one-on-one.

As the temperature dropped many in the crowd expressed relief that there was unlikely to be extra time! This was put beyond doubt when a defensive error in the 64th made it 0-4, Brakes biggest defeat since their renaissance with nearly half an hour to play. It was good to see the return of Wickson, who came on in the 67th, and Timms and Simmonds also came on to add a bit of industry and heart. I believe that Leamington had their first, proper shot on goal around this time but didn't note it.

And, that was it really. No great comeback this time, as in the home league fixture last season when Brakes came back to win 4-3 after going 1-3 down, also against Romulus on a bitterly cold Tuesday night at the NWG, and also the lowest crowd of that season (and any season come to that). So, what does it all mean? Romulus were hurting after losing 4-0 in the league on Saturday and Brakes, perhaps understandably, had less heart for this, the final cup of their season, than they have for the league or had for the FA Vase. Also, it is pointless denying that Andy Biffin in goal was unsure and unfit and that this played a part. But, before he hangs himself from the nearest crossbar, he should be consoled that this is inevitable when there is no reserve team to smooth his return from a very bad break that still leaves plates in his leg. I suspect that he will be back playing as well as we know he can before season's end, as long as he doesn't console himself with comfort-eating too many of those pies.

Leamington: Andy Biffin; Ryan Parisi; Harj Dhesi; Tom Sidwell; Simon Walker; Chris Hanrahan (Mark Simmonds 72); Stuart Herlihy; Josh Blake; Vernor Sleem (Darren Timms 72); Martin Thompson (Simon Wickson 67); Steve Thompson [Capt]
Subs Not Used (3 From 5 Allowed): Glen Webb; Richard Morris

Leamington Team News: No further injuries - as far as I know.