Brakes Overcome Pershore To Keep Lead In Title Race

Last season, Brakes were clear at the top of the table with just five matches to go, but four draws and a defeat against West Midlands Police saw their championship hopes shattered. The fear for the crowd of 304 gathered on another blustery afternoon at the New Windmill Ground was that history would repeat itself and, when Pershore's Danny James levelled the match nine minutes into the second half, it looked a real possibility. However, Martin Thompson struck the winner on 58 minutes to calm the nerves and keep Brakes in the driving seat in this year's title race.

Pershore came into this tie on the back of a 6-0 thrashing of Southam United, but their approach was to pack the defence and deny their opponents space. Playing with the strong wind at their backs, Brakes attacked from the outset and on seven minutes a deep corner from the right by Steve Thompson was met by Stuart Herlihy whose shot was deflected. Almost immediately, visiting 'keeper Barry McLean was in action again to turn a stunning low drive from Glen Webb round the post. McLean was fast becoming the busiest man on the field scooping a low cross from Andy Gregory over the bar and then racing from his goal to clear from the advancing Martin Thompson.

The Brakes' pressure paid off on 31 minutes when March Player of the Month Herlihy laid the ball off to Josh Blake whose low shot from outside the penalty area went into the bottom corner of the net (1-0). The home side continued to press forward and Paul Nicholls had a good chance to double the lead on 42 minutes but sent his shot from the right wide of the target.

The second half started just like the first with Brakes attacking from the outset. Within four minutes of the restart, a Webb corner from the left was dropped by McLean under a challenge from Nicholls, but nobody was on hand to capitalise on the chance. Then on 54 minutes, the Brakes' defence was pulled out of position leaving two Pershore players with time and space to spare and substitute Danny James gratefully accepted the chance, scoring off the left-hand post (1-1).

The North Bank had decamped at the Harbury Lane End and continued to lift the team with good vocal support. They only had to wait a short time for their reward as Blake fed Martin Thompson through the middle to restore the lead on 58 minutes (2-1). Blake has been having a good season and almost scored again six minutes later shooting over the bar after McLean had parried a Herlihy shot. It was Gregory's turn to have a shot almost immediately, but McLean gathered his long-range effort. Then on 69 minutes, McLean pulled off a brilliant save at full stretch to deny Webb again.

Despite a Pershore flourish right at the end, Brakes emerged worthy winners and maintain their lead over Romulus. Manager Jason Cadden described the win as "hard fought" adding "we created a lot of chances and pinned them down for all the first half. The players kept going after the equaliser and we are now looking forward to taking on Rugby Town next week."

For those wanting to see more youth players in the squad, both Seb Rockcliff and Andy McKinley were included today. On the injury front, Ryan Parisi is now back in training to be joined by Simon Walker and Baz Shearsby next week.

Leamington: Richard Morris; Jonny Burgess (Seb Rockcliff 66); Harj Dhesi; Tom Sidwell; Andy Gregory; Glen Webb; Stuart Herlihy; Josh Blake; Martin Thompson; Paul Nicholls (Vernor Sleem 70); Steve Thompson [Capt]
Sub(s) Not Used: Andy McKinley

Team News: Daz Timms missed because of week's suspension as result of five yellows; both Ryan Parisi and Baz Shearsby kicking in.