Unlucky Brakes Match 2nd Placed Kiddie But Lose To Late Goals

90 people turned up to a cold New Windmill, only four fewer than watched the Seniors' next FA Vase opponents, Alliance outfit Studley, in their previous Vase game. Unfortunately Kidderminster did the same as in the game at Aggborough when they also won with a late goal after being outplayed for much of the game. That is why they are 2nd in the league a point behind leaders WBA.

Brakes were well on top in the early stages with Reynolds' speed, in particular, panicking the Kiddie defence. With Taylor and Thompson getting past defenders, the rock-solid Moulding making a welcome return after long-term injury and Anderson and McKinley winning the ball the auspices looked good. In the 31st minute Thompson's header hit the bar as Brakes laid seige to the Kidderminster goal but it was Kiddie who took the lead with a breakaway goal in the 38th minute, 0-1.

But Brakes response was quick and incisive with a tremendous goal from Tolley in the 40th minute when he made it 1-1 with a low, hard drive into the corner from 20 yds after rounding two defenders. With the half drawing to a close Alex Taylor cracked in a long-distance strike that was gathered by the 'keeper at the second attempt.

The second half started in similar fashion with Moulding shoring up any gaps in the defence and Tolley, Thompson and Reynolds playing passing football up front. But a pattern was emerging that, despite good approach play, that vital first touch was missing. Time and again Brakes breached the Kiddie defence only to falter with that final touch and shot. So they gave the ball away too much though having the majority of the possession. Shots were being limited to long range though a Tolley free-kick was hard enough to worry the 'keeper who, some thought, carried the ball over the line before recovering to clear.

Just as it seemed that both teams had settled for a point Kiddie started to make inroads. Whether or not Brakes' Youth play too many games (McKinley had played Saturday - for Alveston - and Sunday so was now in his third game in 3 days) is not for me to say but they do seem to have a problem late on in games. In the 80th minute 'keeper Kerr headed clear but couldn't stop a powerful drive in the same minute, 1-2, and then Kidderminster made it a cruel 2-goal margin with a looping header in the 88th minute, 1-3, as tired legs faltered.

Leamington Youth: Dan Kerr; James Taylor; Martin Groves; Luke Moulding; Ben Elkington [Capt]; Phil Thompson; Mark Anderson; Andrew McKinley (Iain Groves 71); Josh Tolley (Ryan Howell 82); Arron Reynolds; Alex Taylor (Chris Lewis 71)
Sub(s) Not Used (3 From 5): Jamie Coleman; Nik Kyriacou