Terriers Pounce In Extra Time To Thwart Brakes Comeback

After going two goals down to the FA Vase finalists of 1999, Brakes clawed their way back level with four minutes of normal time remaining only to succumb to a third and decisive strike at the end of the first period of extra time. Willed on by the majority of the 813 strong crowd, Brakes could not pull another goal back in the fifteen minutes that remained and the players were left shattered by yet another close call after last season's heartbreaking defeat in the same competition at Studley.

Brakes had the first clear chance on goal in the fourth minute when an Andy Gregory free kick was only partially cleared by the Terriers' defence and Ben Adams saw his shot dropped by visiting 'keeper Michael Robinson only to be gathered up at the second attempt. Ominously for Brakes, a minute later Gareth McAlindon whipped a free kick in from the left of the penalty area that flashed across the face of the goal and just wide. This move was repeated in the 17th when, following a foul by Andy Gregory, another free kick came over the from the left and this time John Milner was on hand to glance a header past the static defence, 0-1.

Richard Adams, who had made a speedy recovery after being taken to hospital in the previous week's match, was causing the visitors some problems and almost levelled on 27 minutes. However, Terriers were always dangerous on the break and Richard Morris twice got down low within a minute to save from Andy Shandran. Yet another cross from the left on 37 minutes by James Lang was met by McAlindon, but this time the crossbar saved Brakes and the ball dropped into the arms of a grateful Morris.

An equaliser looked on the cards four minutes before the interval when Leon Morgan met a Ben Adams free kick in the penalty area but, although he appeared to be bundled over, the referee waved play on and the score remained at 0-1 at the break.

Terriers nearly went two goals up within minutes of the restart when Robert Cockburn dispossessed Simon Walker and Morris was forced to save with his feet. This seemed to sting Brakes into action and, in a sustained period of pressure, Jon Adams (having his best game for the club), Stuart Herlihy and Leon Morgan all went close. However, it was Terriers who scored again with Anthony Shandran heading home a fine cross from the left by Cockburn in the 62nd to give Brakes a mountain to climb at 0-2.

Slowly but surely, Brakes came back into the match and the introduction of Paul Nicholls for Ben Adams on 64 minutes added potency to the attack. Within two minutes, Josh Blake's persistence saw Brakes peg a goal back to set up a grandstand finish, 1-2 in the 66th. Then, with the clock ticking down and four minutes to go, Nicholls floated the ball over the heads of the visiting defenders into the path of Richard Adams who shot under Robinson's body to level at 2-2.

Into extra time and the gap down the left again proved to be Brakes' achilles heel when Robert Cockburn ran in and past the defence in the 105th minute for the decisive strike that sent Terriers into the last 32 of the competition. The visitors could have added more towards the end, but Morris was equal to everything that they threw at him and, on balance, they ran out worthy winners, 2-3. This was a fine advertisement for non-league football and Brakes were not disgraced against higher level opposition.

The main goal for the season was always promotion and they are in pole position for a place in the Travel Factory Midland Alliance next season. The team is good enough and it should be an exciting time from now until May. Other results on Saturday went Brakes' way: Marconi dropped two more points in a draw at Brocton, both Barnt Green and Coleshill lost while Bloxwich's match was postponed; and Sphinx drew in mid-week.

Manager Jason Cadden put the defeat down to the first half performance saying "We were very disappointing and didn't really start the game until it was too late. A few things were sorted out at half-time and we showed character to level it after they had increased their lead against the run of play. We just switched off and gave away a silly winner and the players are all gutted at the result."

Leamington: Richard Morris: Ben Adams (Paul Nicholls 64); Simon walker; Tom Sidwell; Andy Gregory; Jon Adams (Martin Thompson 78); Leon Morgan (Chris Hanrahan 106); Stuart Herlihy; Josh Blake; Richard Adams; Steve Thompson [Capt]
Subs Not Used (3 From 5 Allowed): Ryan Howell; Darran Tank

Bedlington Terriers: Started Michael Robinson; Phil Hildreth (Keith Douglas); James Lang; Colin Morton; Danny Anderson (Kevin Walton); James Harmison; Ian Dixon [Capt]; Gareth McAlindon; Anthony Shandran; John Milner (Anthony Chapman); Robert Cockburn;
Subs Not Used Dean Gibb; Sam Kitchen

Team News: Steve Smith missed through another wedding.