Sluggish Brakes win on penalties

As we sat in the long queue of cars waiting to leave Banbury Road last night, Leamington chairman Mick Brady walked along bearing the Friendship Cup aloft. Brakes have now won it three times in a row but it took a 5-4 penalty shoot out to win it after Southam United held them to a 1-1 draw at full time.

Brakes started brightly enough and first half goalkeeper Richard Morris barely touched the ball in the first ten minutes. But then Saints came into the game more, while Leamington had difficulty in penetrating their doughty defence despite some inspired runs by Josh Blake.

Southam had already played two practice matches and the difference showed. Brakes were often sluggish, lacking fluidity despite the occasional nice touch or pinpoint pass. All too often they lost their shape and the defence looked suspect. Cadzy was not in evidence on the bench (someone suggested he was changing a nappy) with Darren Tank barking orders, assisted by Morton Titterton in his new coaching role and Keith Orme.

It was very much a practice match and plenty of changes were made in the line up to give players a chance. The inevitable happened in the second half when Southam went ahead from a header. It took a penalty from Josh Blake after Clunesie had been brought down to level the score and even then he had to put the ball in from the rebound.

Debutante goalkeeper Chris Gibson saved one of the penalties to give Brakes the victory, but there is clearly a lot of work to do.