Defences On Top After Two Goals In a Minute

Two goals in the 10th minute, within 30 seconds of each other, threatened an avalanche with Hinckley lobbing 'keeper Morgan to go one up and Martin Groves slotting an equaliser after a superb through ball from Howell. But the defences dominated the rest of the game and Brakes finished their season's campaign with a draw and in a very creditable 6th place.

This was a proper football match, a reasonable spattering of fans, a burger van doing OK, and programmes. And how often do you see programmes at youth matches (apart from the NWG of course)? The pitch, which had caused the last postponement because it had puddles on it, was now very dry and bumpy.

Morgan, in the Brakes' goal, was soon in action getting down well to a low shot heading for the corner in the 8th but Howell was sparking with Lewis and there was equal promise in the Brakes' attack. Hinckley looked good on the break and in the 10th minute went 1-0, with a clever lob over Morris's head but within 30 seconds Brakes had levelled it at 1-1 when an incisive throgh ball from Howell was steered into the corner by Martin Groves.

But this promise of a goal-fest didn't materialise and the only other real, goal chances in the first half were in the 39th when Brakes had a let-off from a low cross into the area that just needed a touch, and in the 44th when Lewis turned superbly to lash his shot just over the bar.

Hinckley did enough to win the game for most of the second half but their moves broke down in front of goal and their shot-shy forwards had little penetration. When they did get through Morgan was in excellent form and saved well in the 60th and 66th. A rare shot on goal at the other end could have brought the winner but the Hinckley 'keeper made a brilliant from a well-struck Lewis shot in the 70th.

But, although Brakes rang the changes and came more into the game both sets of defences were well on top. Either side could have snatched a late winner with Howell's whipped-in cross begging for a touch in the 88th and Halstead-Smyth, on for the struggling Moulding, saving the day with a last ditch tackle as the match moved into added time and ultimate stalemate.

Leamington Youth: Richard Morgan; James Taylor; Jamie Coleman [Capt]; Martin Groves; Luke Moulding (Ben Halstead-Smyth 80); Alex Shaw; Mark Anderson (Nik Kyriacou 52); Phil Thompson; Ryan Howell; Chris Lewis (Alex Taylor 76); Iain Groves
Sub(s) Not Used (3 From 5 Used): Josh Tolley; Andy McKinley

Team News: Couple of injuries, Andy McKinley (foot) in warm-up, but nothing serious.
Both Howell and McKinley played for the Birmingham County side two weeks ago in a 4-1 win over Nottingham with Howell getting one of the goals.