Brakes Crush Marconi To Get the Show Back On the Road

Brakes' recent form has been somewhat in and out but, back on the lush carpet of the New Windmill Ground, they played stunning football to end Marconi's run as the only undefeated team in the league. Six goals were more than the home fans could have dreamt of against this season's meanest defence but, if it wasn't for the heroics of Marconi 'keeper Scott Furlong, Brakes could have easily got into double figures.

Persistent rain that had got worse as kick-off time approached deposited pools of water on the surrounding roads and in the car park. However, the investment in time and money that the Brakes' board had made in the pitch paid dividends, as a perfect playing surface was tailor-made for the home side's fast, flowing football. Last season's leading scorer, Paul Nicholls, returned from Stratford Town and looked for all the match as if he had never been away. He combined well with Richard Adams in attack, allowing Josh Blake to drop in just behind the front two and use his pace to force scoring opportunities.

The defence was solid throughout and the combination of Simon Walker, Steve Smith and Darran Tank (who was again outstanding) is the best that Brakes have on current form. Smith, in particular, continues to look a class act and his directions and encouragement to his team mates mark him out as the natural successor to Steve Thompson when the Leamington skipper decides to hang up his boots.

Not that Steve is likely to do that in the immediate future, having scored Brakes' fifth with a cross-cum shot from the left that beat Furlong in the top corner nine minutes from the end. By then, the match was well and truly over thanks to the opening twenty-seven minutes which saw Brakes race to a four-goal lead that knocked the stuffing out of Marconi and set up what, even at this early stage of the season, could turn out to be an important victory.

It had all started on six minutes, when Leon Morgan sent a cross out to the left to Josh Blake who, from an acute angle, beat Furlong. Richard Adams rushed in to make sure that the ball crossed the line, but the Marconi 'keeper confirmed after the match that Blake's shot had gone in (1-0). Marconi could have levelled four minutes later when Petajon Gordon had a good opportunity, but Tank was on hand to make a timely interception. This seemed to spur Brakes on and they doubled the lead on 13 minutes when Ben Adams sent Paul Nicholls clear on the right and his low ball across the face of the goal fell to Richard Adams who made no mistake (2-0).

It was all Brakes at this stage and, when Chris Hanrahan sent a long ball out to Ben Adams on 24 minutes, it was the returning Paul Nicholls who was on hand to score and make it 3-0. The score didn't stay at that for long as, three minutes later, in the 27th minute Steve Smith popped up in the Marconi penalty area to put away his second league goal for the club (4-0). Just to show Brakes that they couldn't sit back and take things easy, on the stroke of half-time, Marconi leading striker Christopher Partridge met a perfect cross from the left to put the ball past Morris and bring the score back to 4-1.

After an initial Marconi flourish, Brakes re-established control on the second half with Morgan going close on 54 minutes and then again two minutes later. Blake nearly deceived Furlong with an overhead kick on 70 minutes from a Morgan cross before Steve Thompson made it 5-0 in the 81st. And the club captain chose his moment for his first goal of the season as it was also Brakes 50th in the league. Brakes could have scored more, but a fine double save from Furlong denied first Jon Adams and then Nicholls as full-time approached. Almost immediately, the Marconi 'keeper made a fine one-handed save to thwart Thompson looking for his second before Richard Adams pounced after a Nicholls' shot had been blocked to wrap it all up at 6-1.

There were bookings for Marconi's Daniel Green, Petajon Gordon (who might well have been sent off by other referees for lashing out) and Craig Carolan for a crunching tackle on Ben Adams.

Full marks to the supporters who, despite the weather, made for a crowd of 371 which, judging by the car park, swelled to even more as the second half got underway. Atherstone apart, no other club in the league could pull so many punters through the gate when an afternoon by the fire looked a very attractive proposition. But, had they stayed indoors, they would have missed a treat and it is to be hoped that they come back again on Tuesday to cheer the side on against Feckenham.

Manager Jason Caden had answered his critics in the best way possible and after the match he said "What a difference a week makes. That was a first-class performance and our best showing of the season. We played well throughout and the two late goals were the icing on the cake. We are delighted to see Paul Nicholls back, he is strong and fit and couldn't have done better than score on his return."

Leamington: Richard Morris; Ben Adams; Simon Walker; Steve Smith; Darran Tank (Andy Gregory 83); Chris Hanrahan; Leon Morgan (Jonathan Adams 76); Josh Blake (Darren Timms 84); Paul Nicholls; Richard Adams; Steve Thompson [Capt]
Subs Not Used: None

Team News: Herlihy has an injury and will also miss Tuesday.