Brakes Avenge First Of Three Defeats As Morgan Bags Two

In the first half of the season, Brakes lost only three league matches, all away from home. The visit of Barnt Green Spartak to the New Windmill last Saturday offered the first opportunity to put the record straight and they did so in emphatic fashion much to the delight of the crowd of 423.

Back in October, Spartak had their day then winning by two second half goals, but the boot was very much on the other foot here and a 4-0 defeat is comprehensive enough, even if the visitors did hit the woodwork twice. The win consolidated Brakes position at the top of the Midland Combination Premiership, but there is still a third of the season to go and nothing can be taken for granted.

The contest itself really fitted the old cliché of "a game of two halves." Leon Morgan's header from a Chris Hanrahan inswinging corner on the stroke of half-time (45th) was all that separated the teams at the end of an interesting, but from far pulsating, first period. Brakes should have had more goals with Josh Blake's shot cleared off the line in the sixth minute and then the same player having a golden opportunity on 27 minutes when putting a header wide.

Blake featured in a double sending off on 40 minutes when, having been fouled by Spartak's Anthony Taylor and appearing to be struck when getting to his feet, he made the mistake of retaliating. After consulting the assistant who was close to the incident, the referee sent both players off, a decision that was right by the rules of the game but harsh on Blake who was more sinned against than sinning.

The second half belonged to Brakes who started to play the kind of football that has been a delight for fans all season. Morgan could have added a second on 59 minutes, but put his shot high into the crowd on the North Bank. However, home fans did not have to wait long for Brakes to double their lead as, in the 66th minute, Richard Adams went on another darting run down the right and cut into the penalty area before placing a low shot between the defenders and 'keeper Kenny Sanders into the far corner, 2-0.

Man of the match Stuart Herlihy then went past three opponents before squaring the ball to Morgan who made no mistake this time to give Brakes a three goal cushion, 3-0 in the 68th. Spartak came back into it a little and Richard Morris, returning to the side in place of the injured Andy Harper, saved well at full stretch. But any hopes of a recovery for the visitors were dashed with three minutes to go (87th) when Paul Nicholls was the provider for Ben Adams to notch his first goal of the season, 4-0. This was strike number 99 for Brakes in all competitions but time ran out to bring up the ton.

It was a day to forget for young striker Ryan Howell who, after his two goal haul at Coventry Sphinx during the week, had to be helped off the pitch injured with only 16 minutes on the clock. Brakes played on with only ten men until club skipper Steve Thompson came on for his first match of 2005.

Manager Jason Cadden was quietly satisfied after the match, paying tribute to Spartak by describing them as "a tricky side to play against who work for each other." He added, "this was a great result for us and we scored four of the best goals seen here this season. Stuart Herlihy was outstanding and made the third for Leon that sealed things for us."

Leamington: Richard Morris; Ben Adams; Darran Tank; Steve Smith: Andy Gregory; Chris Hanrahan; Leon Morgan (Darren Timms 75); Stuart Herlihy; Richard Adams (Paul Nicholls 78); Ryan Howell (Steve Thompson 19); Josh Blake [Capt]

Team News: Ryan Howell probably ligaments but no prognosis yet; Andy Harper was selected but injured a finger in the warm-up when hit by a Rich Morris drive (!); Jon Adams will train this week and be available for selection next Saturday; Simon Walker will start running this week and anticipates that he's 2/3 weeks from full recovery; Leon Morgan's suspension as a result of the red card at Loughborough is 21 days from Mon 14 Feb so he misses three matches: Pershore, Coleshill and Highgate.