Brakes Bounce Back to Score Seven

Only 239 turned up to watch Brakes bounce back from their opening day defeat and the fickle fans missed a treat as Brakes came good in the second half to run in five goals to add to their first half strike. The pitch looked green and lush with the grass left slightly longer than previous seasons to create a better playing surface that holds the ball better. But although torrential, though patchy, rainfall leading up to the game had left large puddles everywhere else the pitch had no surface water and, apart from a brief drizzle, the rain stayed away throughout the game.

The welcome return of powerhouse Webb led to early pressure from Brakes and, with Herlihy providing his usual strength and commitment, Griff were kept on terms by two fine saves, the Griff 'keeper palming over the bar, firstly in the 11th from a Webb drive then in the 18th when Herlihy headed on target from a Webb cross. Webb's corner after the second save was headed on from the near post going along the line missed by everyone.

The effervescent Howell linked well with Herlihy minutes later to set up Herlihy for a low shot that was saved by the diving, in-form Griff 'keeper. A towering header from playmaker Leon Morgan in the 36th deserved better but Brakes had threatened without result as the half wound down.

Then, in the 37th, Brakes recorded their first goal of the season. A short corner on the left by Herlihy was crossed by Steve Thompson for Blake to make it 1-0 with a glancing header. But within three minutes Griff, who had barely threatened, were back on terms through a bizarre own goal. Tank glanced a header back to 'keeper Morris just wide of the left post. But Morris, who had galloped across the area following the ball's flight, slipped on turning then the ball seemed to bobble slightly creeping into the net, 1-1 in the 40th.

Griff came out in the second half like a team re-discovering their self-belief. For 10 minutes they were sharper and more threatening as it looked as if Brakes first win was to be delayed. But the returning Walker was superb at the heart of the defence and Brakes survived the onslaught. In the 58th minute crowd favourite, Blake, made it 2-1 when he prodded home from close range after a trademark Steve Thompson long throw into the crowded area.

After the last few days the fans might have settled for that but Brakes were now well on top and Griff were losing their composure. In the 63rd minute the magnificent Blake earned a free kick as he drove on goal and Webb moved up to smash the free-kick low into the corner from 25yds, 3-1. As Griff lost their shape Richard Adams, a superb acquisition from WMP, was involved in three goals during the 25 minutes he was on the pitch.

In the 70th he held up the ball before slipping a pass to Herlihy who made it 4-1 with a powerful, angled drive from the edge of the box. Then Richard Adams added two of his own making it 5-1 in the 74th sliding home past the advancing 'keeper as Brakes broke in numbers and, the icing on the cake, for 6-1 in the 87th when he tipped the ball over the 'keeper, twisted inside one defender leaving him on the ground then drove wide of another defender to join Blake on two goals and erase Brakes' negative goal difference.

Leamington: Richard Morris; Glen Webb; Ben Adams; Simon Walker; Darran Tank; Darren Timms (Chris Hanrahan 72); Stuart Herlihy (Mark Anderson 76); Leon Morgan; Josh Blake; Ryan Howell (Richard Adams 66); Steve Thompson [Capt]
Subs Not Used: None

Team News: Niels Kristensen still having knee problems; Martin Thompson suspension and injury; Tom Friend suspension.