Odd Goal in Seven Overcomes Oadby

Two footballing sides played a tremendously entertaining game at a fast and furious pace in conditions that had me sweating just walking round the pitch. Believe me, and come and see for yourself if you didn't, this is a very good youth side. With the majority of the squad on holiday there was still no apparent weakness. And Oadby are a very good side who reached the 3rd round proper of the youth cup last season before bowing out to West Ham United.

Both teams were playing only their second friendly but had been training for some weeks so the levels of fitness were comparable. Oadby probably edged the first 20 minutes but Moulding was imperious in defence and the speed of Butcher with the power of Rowan and Howell always threatened the Oadby defence. Lacking match fitness, and looking much bigger, it was Tolley who set up the opener with a powerful run that earnt a free kick. His cross, from the edge of the box, was met by Howell who powered home a header in the 28th to make it 1-0.

The rest of the half was powerful, but skilled, football at its best. Some "old" players, such as Lewis Scott and Kyriacou, on for the injured Butcher, all went close while McKinley ran through the middle and was unlucky not to open his account. Alex Shaw was commanding as usual with Ben Halstead-Smyth and Mark Anderson playing like well-seasoned players.

Tolley, was picking up the game and showing no diminution of the speed and skill which earnt him a senior run-our last term. In the 51st minute he ran past every defender to place his shot just past the post. Alex Taylor also went close in the 60th so perhaps, with Brakes getting on top, it was inevitable that the next goal would come from Oadby who made it 1-1 in the 63rd. But Brakes were soon back in fron when Alex Taylor powered through the middle and crashed home in the 70th to make it 2-1 . Tolley, who had seemed to be getting faster and fitter as the match wore on brought a good save from the Oadby 'keeper in the 72nd then did what he had been threatening when he smashed a 25 yarder into the roof of the net in the 78th for 3-1.

But Oadby refused to be beaten and pulled back to 3-2 in the 82nd through an unstoppable free-kick. Then Rowan and Howell, superb all night, combined to restore Brakes two goal advantage. Rowan slipped a perfect ball to Howell who ran on and slipped a well-weighted shot into the net to make it 4-2 in the 87th. But still Oadby came back and, in the 88th, made it 4-3 on the night from close range.

Leamington Youth from: Mark Moss; Alex Shaw; Andrew McKinley; Luke Moulding; Ben Halstead-Smyth; Lewis Scott; Mark Anderson; Ben Rowan; Adam Butcher; Nik Kyriacou; Ryan Howell; Alex Taylor; Josh Tolley

Team News: Everyone else on holiday!