Brakes Show Strength In Depth

On a damp, misty evening 120 souls negotiated the maze of the new housing estate to see much-changed Leamington lose by a single goal to last season's champions in the Tony Allden Memorial Cup. A very soft pitch made for slippery conditions and, probably, a very relieved groundsman that extra-time was avoided.

Romulus seemed little different from the the team beaten twice by Brakes in the league last season with a couple of quick danger-men up front but a hesitant, nervy defence. Howell got down the right in the 6th minute to create confusion in the Roms defence with a low cross that was put wide. Sleem and Howell combined well to send Howell wriggling through on goal in the 22nd and Jon Adams, probably the most effective player on the night, created several chances soon after as Brakes forced a succession of corners.

Timms set up a goal chance in the 24th then cut through a hesitant defence at speed in the 26th to set up Jon Adams with a chance that was cleared off the line. Two more corners followed in quick succession as Brakes turned the screw. All the good football was coming from Leamington so, perhaps, it was inevitable that Roms scored on the break with 'keeper Morris shouting that an innocuous-looking punt was his but missing it leaving a Roms forward with a tap-in in the 27th minute, 0-1.

Brakes were nearly back on terms in the 33rd after the best move so far involving Jon Adams, Howell and Shearsby but the speedy Anderson had to limp off minutes later with severe bruising. Brakes continued to dominate the game with Howell, Shearsby and Sleem all having goal chances but they looked at times like a team who hadn't played together that long at this level, which was indeed the case. The incisive final ball was missing that comes with playing as a team and second-guessing each other's movements off the ball. So the approach work was good but too often foundered with attempts to run past all the back defenders.

The second half was much the same though Roms did make more chances bringing excellent saves from Morris in the 58th and 76th. Martin Thompson came on in the 56th, like Sidwell making his first appearance of the season. It was good to see the injury-prone striker looking fit again.

Astonishingly Romulus were clearly playing for a 1-0 win for the last 20 minutes. Players were going down, which broke up Brakes' momentum, and the 'keeper was moving in slow motion. In the 86th minute he finally went too far and Brakes were awarded an indirect free kick in front of goal when he was penalised for exceeding the 6-second rule for time allowed to release the ball. The ball was touched to Shearsby who screwed his shot agonisingly just wide.

With all the stoppages in the second half, including a lengthy delay when the Roms 'keeper was treated after Howell had leapt well clear of him when he gathered a through ball, it was a little surprising that only 48secs were added to the 90 minutes. But Brakes had done a job, and done it well, with only the injury to Anderson as a black spot. Manager Cadden described it as a good work-out and a not-too-despondent crowd seemed pleased at a good, workmanlike performance that emphasises Brakes' strength in depth this season.

Leamington: Richard Morris; Jonny Burgess; Harj Dhesi; Tom Sidwell; Phil Daly; Darren Timms; Barry Shearsby [Capt]; Mark Anderson (Richard Adams 36); Ryan Howell; Vernor Sleem (Martin Thompson 56); Jonathan Adams
Subs Not Used: Paul Eden

Team News: Simon Wickson injured playing for Whitnash, hamstring.