Brakes Go For Burton and Win Three Points

Young Brakes always looked the more likely to win this one but made heavy weather of it going behind twice but equalising through Lewis in the 23rd and Alex Taylor in the 60th before Howell notched a deserved winner in the 80th. But with seven minutes added there was time for a few, nail-biting moments before the final whistle saluted Brakes' second win of the season and sent most of the 80 strong crowd home happy at an excellent performance but thinking that the win should have been more comprehensive.

Young Brakes tore into Burton from the start earning an early corner with Iain Groves, Lewis and Howell looking dangerous. A Burton break was easily dealt with so it came as a surprise when Albion went into the lead, 0-1 in the 13th minute when another break on the right ended with a crashing drive, low into the Brakes' net. But there's a new resilience about young Brakes these days and after a series of good, interpassing movements upfield they were back in contention when Lewis used strength and skill to get to a Howell cross in the 23rd and round the 'keeper to make it 1-1. Lewis is certainly benefiting from an extended run in the side and was sharp and dangerous throughout.

Burton were coming more into the game but the defence was performing superbly, again, and looking well in control in a fast and furious contest. Lewis went close twice, in the 30th and 32nd minute and Anderson's long cross was nearly converted by Howell. With Thompson getting down the wing and Brakes keeping control this promised to be a very much needed win. Brakes were faster and stronger and both Howell and Lewis robbed defenders to go close. The half ended with a 30yd stinger from Anderson well-gathered and the fans hoping that this wouldn't be a repeat of so many youth games with points lost despite having most of the play.

Such concerns were strengthened when Burton made it 1-2 in the 54th with another unlikely break, this time down the left with the ball criss-crossing the Brakes' goal before finally being forced home. But Brakes stuck to their task. Alex Taylor, who had come on for the second half replacing McKinley, who had a bad case of blisters, was doing a superb job of getting down the right touchline and crossing the ball. One such foray earnt a free kick, which Taylor headed over, then a corner when Thompson's cross was kicked off the line from Howell's header. In the 60th minute Brakes, and Alex Taylor got their reward when Taylor drove in to make it 2-2 from yet another Thompson corner.

Now it was all Brakes but the crowd fretted and worried. Would Burton hang on to deprive Brakes of two points or, worse, snatch a late winner as Brakes pushed up. But as chances went begging or were squandered it was Brakes who were finally rewarded when Thompson crossed from the right and Howell ran in from the left to slot home in the 80th to make it 3-2. Now Brakes pressed for the killer but Burton would have equalised but for a last ditch challenge by 'keeper Kerr that saved the day. Brakes, perhaps naively, went for another goal instead of playing balls into the corners and with the referee finding an additional, nearly eight minutes from somewhere it was nail-biting stuff but, overall, an excellent performance that moved Brakes up the table and nearer safety.

Leamington Youth: Dan Kerr; James Taylor (Alex Shaw 87); Martin Groves; Andrew McKinley (Alex Taylor 46); Ben Elkington [Capt.]; Mark Anderson; Philip Thompson; Iain Groves; Chris Lewis; Ryan Howell; Ben Rowan
Sub(s) Not Used (3 From 5): Kyle Crowley; Jamie Coleman; Josh Tolley

Team News: Nik Kyriacou recovering from tonsilitis and at the game kicking in.