Honours Even In Brakes' Sky Blue Challenge

This was a trip down memory lane for those, including this reporter, who were at Wembley to witness the greatest moment in the history of Coventry City, the lifting of the FA Cup on 16 May 1987. An appreciative crowd of 776 turned out on an overcast afternoon at the New Windmill to watch an even contest that ended up all square with goals from Dave Phillips and Martin Thompson.

Brakes were quickest out of the starting blocks and a cross from Martin Thompson in the third minute fell to Vernor Sleem in the penalty area, but Mick Martin went down to gather and stifle the attack. City hit back with a rasping shot from Dave Phillips just going over the bar on 10 minutes and almost immediately Richard Morris was at full stretch to save from Micky Gynn.

Brakes hit back on 16 minutes when a cross from Jonny Burgess again found Sleem, but this time Kirk Stephens (who I first saw with Trevor Peake at Nuneaton Borough) clearing the danger. Morris was again called into action saving well from Cyrille Regis and five minutes before the interval, Dave Bennett shot just wide.

Any thoughts that the second half would see the Sky Blue veterans tire were soon dispelled when, on 51 minutes, the Brakes defence failed to clear and Dave Phillips struck from outside the penalty area past ex-Alvechurch 'keeper Andy Harper who was making his Leamington debut. An equaliser was always on the cards and it came with sixteen minutes remaining through a looping header from captain Martin Thompon that went over the head of Richard Morris who had come on for the Sky Blues in the second half. Paul Eden had a great chance to wrap up the match for Brakes four minutes from the end when he latched onto a pass from Richard Adams only to put his shot straight into Morris's arms.

For Brakes' fans, the return of Ben Adams from Australia was a welcome sight and it is to be hoped that his signing can be sorted out quickly. Richard Adams, a 22 year-old striker/midfielder from West Midlands Police could add more options in team selection as could local player Phil Daly.

Commenting on the encounter, Brakes' manager Jason Cadden said "It was a great day for everyone involved and fulfilled an ambition of mine to have the Cup winning team play here at Leamington. They put out a representative side and the players showed that they still have the talent and can play a bit"

Looking forward to next season, Cadden said that the team picture would become clearer in a week. The signing of ex-Rugby Town defender Darran Tank was on the cards and he was looking at Phil Daly and Richard Adams who both played in this match. He would not be drawn on the futures of Andy Gregory and Tom Sidwell who are both training with rivals Racing Club Warwick. Although the players have signed on for Leamington and were at the match, Cadden would only say that "we have cover for their positions."

He did confirm, however, that the arrival of Keith Orme as his assistant would not affect the positions of Steve Thompson and Paul Eden who would both continue as coaches with Eden also signing on as a player.

Leamington: Richard Morris (Andy Harper 46); Jonny Burgess (Dave Care 46); Simon Walker (Phil Daly 74); Ryan Parisi (Andy McKinley 46); Darran Tank (Ben Adams 55); Darren Timms (Barry Shearsby 60); Stuart Herlihy: Chris Hanrahan; Martin Thompson (Richard Adams 74); Vernor Sleem (Paul Eden 60); Josh Blake

Coventry City XI Starting line-up: Mick Martin; Kirk Stephens; David Busst; Martin Lane; Gavin O'Toole; Trevor Peake; Dave Phillips; Micky Gynn; Cyrille Regis; Brian Borrows; Dave Bennett

Team News: Steve Thompson away holiday, then job and will miss 2/3 pre-season matches; Niels Kristensen still having knee problems; Glenn Webb knee stiffness; Harj Dhesi in Paris but signed on and looking fit.