Young Brakes Make a Point

Two promoted teams started tentatively and there was little good football in the first 20 minutes with the ball being hoofed upfield by both teams into the maw of the opposing defence. With neither side looking like scoring this was a passionless affair which suddenly sprang into life after Brakes' McKinley received a yellow for some over-zealous defending in the 28th. Suddenly Brakes were playing along the ground and it was no surprise when they went ahead, 0-1, in the 39th when McKinley scored with a thundering header across the 'keeper from an inch-perfect Kyriacou cross after good work by Anderson.

As Brakes took control Iain Groves fed Taylor whose cross was driven in by Kyriacou in the 41st to make it 0-2. This was, now, a confident, strong display from Brakes who didn't look like conceding against a demoralised Sutton side.

Brakes started the second-half in similar vein forcing three quick corners. Man of the match Howell was showing strength and skill and, with the impressive Anderson also looking dangerous, Brakes threatened to put the game beyond reach. Howell slipped a pass through to Kyriacou in the 53rd which was beaten out by the Sutton 'keeper and went close himself from a Thompson corner.

Then, from nowhere, Sutton were back in contention in the 55th when a quick break after Brakes pressure saw the ball driven through the 'keepers arms for 2-1. Inevitably Sutton came more into the game but Brakes still seemed fairly safe until disaster struck in the 62nd when defensive stalwart, Moulding, was forced to leave the pitch with an ankle injury. The excellent Tolley came on but his attacking runs were put on hold as Sutton sensed that the match was not lost after all and he was forced to defend.

In a fine attacking display for the remaining 20 minutes Sutton scored the equaliser in the 74th with a good goal after some more defensive naivety from young Brakes, 2-2. But Brakes fought back well and held out for what was, on the overall performance, a good, away point though for much of the game there was the promise of much more.

Leamington Youth: Luke Cole; Ben Elkington [Capt.]; Martin Groves; Iain Groves; Andrew McKinley; Luke Moulding (Josh Tolley 64); James Taylor; Mark Anderson; Nik Kyriacou; Ryan Howell; Philip Thompson
Sub(s) Not Used (3 From 5): Ben Halstead-Smyth; Ben Rowan; Chris Lewis; Alex Shaw

Team News: Lewis Scott has left