Young Brakes Make Mincemeat Out of Quorn

Young Brakes powered their way to a comprehensive victory over Quorn, their first in the Premier, before a crowd of 60 at the New Windmill. Tolley scored in the 14th then set up strikes for both Kyriacou (47th) and Howell (72nd) as Brakes threatened to run riot against a tiring Quorn with Rowan and Crowley also hitting the bar.

For nearly 1/4 hour there was little of note as both teams probed the other's defences, the closest to a shot on goal coming in the 13th when Quorn attempted to lob Brakes 'keeper from long distance. But that all changed in the 14th with Tolley making it 1-0 when he resolved a goalmouth scramble sprinting in from the left to strike an unstoppable shot in the far corner as the ball broke loose. Within minutes the powerful Tolley was near to adding a second.

Thompson and Kyriacou were on fire. In fact the whole team was showing strength and commitment, not allowing a skilfull Quorn to settle on the ball. Thompson was making things happen on the right and a superb interplay of passes with Kyriacou released Howell for a strike on target which was saved in the 20th. James Taylor was not only stopping anything that came his way but sending quality passes out of defence. In fact the distribution from the back was excellent, a tribute to the coaching or natural ability; I care not which so long as they keep doing it.

In the 29th Kyriacou nearly added to his season's tally when he ran up the line and crossed at speed along the goal-line. Thompson was replaced in the 32nd by Crowley, making his home debut, a victim of pulled stomach muscles or a surfeit of nectarines before the game, depending on whom you believe. Almost immediately the debutant combined with Iain Groves to release Kyriacou who turned inside with an astonishing flick that left two defenders for dead only to be charged down by the 'keeper. Brakes were keeping possession and wearing down a resilient Quorn. Anderson drove just over from distance in the 39th, Crowley's cross just needed a touch in the 42nd and Rowan was just wide from a Howell pass as the half ended. It was mostly Brakes now but Quorn had some speedy players up front and 1-0 did not seem enough.

Then in the 47th minute the irrepressible Tolley ran in from the left again to release a powerful shot that was slotted home by Kyriacou when the 'keeper couldn't hold it, 2-0. Twice in the 50th minute Tolley went close, firstly from a Kyriacou pass then driving in from the left to release a low shot from an acute angle that was gathered at the near post. Paradoxically Quorn, at a time when many teams would have let their heads go down, then had their best spell of the match and Brakes' defence was on the rack for 1/4 hour but, especially in the absence of Moulding and McKinley, did well to hold their shape and keep out a rampant Quorn.

But Quorn had shot their bolt and looked much more tired than super-fit Brakes. In the 72nd minute Tolley ran down the left touchline and crossed for Howell to make it 3-0 with a bullet header. As Brakes threatened to run riot Howell went close again and the unlucky Rowan headed goalwards from a Tolley cross to see it bounce along the top of the bar. Crowley was playing even better as the game wore on and with Brakes' players peppering the goal with shots he went on a wriggling, writhing run in the 89th to crash a drive against the bar as a very tired Quorn hung on to keep the score at 3-0.

Leamington Youth: Luke Cole; James Taylor; Martin Groves; Iain Groves; Ben Elkington [Capt.]; Mark Anderson; Philip Thompson (Kyle Crowley 32); Ben Rowan; Nik Kyriacou (Chris Lewis 77); Ryan Howell (Adam Butcher 77); Josh Tolley
Sub(s) Not Used (3 From 5): Ben Halstead-Smyth; Alex Shaw

Team News: Both Andrew McKinley and Luke Moulding were carrying injuries prior to this game and Philip Thompson went off with a stomach complaint.