Tuesday 13 December 2011

Brakes face Puritans in cup clash

Leamington face local rivals Banbury United at the New Windmill Ground in a Birmingham Senior Cup clash tonight. The winners get a home tie against Birmingham City.

Last time we entertained the Blues in this competition we won 3-2 even though they included one or two Premiership players. The look on the faces of the quite substantial number of Blews supporters was a joy to behold.

First we have to beat the Purtans. It's a cold night with a strong wind blowing. The New Windmill Ground is in an exposed country location. This does not promise quality football and I shall certainly have to wrap up warm. The Vice-Presidents' lounge will be an especially welcome venue before the match and at half time.

Brakes won 3-0, playing some fluent football in front of a crowd of 176. And it was very cold!

Saturday 10 December 2011

Gold and Black Goal Machine

That was the chant from the Harbury Lane End as Leamington defeated Stourbridge 4-2 at the New Windmill Ground this afternoon.

The Glassboys were well organised at the back and the opening exchanges focused on midfield tussles. But then on 23 minutes Alex Taylor put in an opportunistic shot from distance and it crept under the bar to make it 1-0.

Half time: Brakes 1, Glassboys 0

Brskes looked to be in some difficulty after the interval when the ball richoted around in front of goal after a free kick and they had difficulty in clearing their lines. But then James Husband put Brakes 2-0 ahead on 53 minutes. After that the Glassboys stepped up the pressure. First they pulled one back with an excellent strike and then Broadhurst got a second for them with a header.

Some feared that they would go on to win the match, but a very well executed free kick allowed Tuohy to give Brakes the lead again. Taylor then ran in well down the left and scored with an angled shot that went in off the post to make it 4-2.

The referee then decided to invoke the six second rule and awarded an indirect free kick in front of goal, although not before a Stour player had run up to Evans and wrestled him to the ground. However, Brakes were able to clear.

The final phase was often end to end, but Brakes were in the driving seat, although hopes of the 'old five' were not to be realised. I was impressed with Francis brought in as cover who engaged in some intelligent defending directing his headers at someone in the gold and black.

Friday 9 December 2011

Bring on the Glass

The scene is set for a classic clash at the New Windmill Ground tomorrow when Leamington face long-time rivals Stourbridge who recently reached the second round of the FA Cup before being knocked out by Stevenage: Glassboys

With frosty conditions forecast overnight there are some doubts about whether the match will go ahead but vulnerable portions of the pitch are being covered with fleece.

Shell shocked manager Paul Holleran is still recovering from last week's last minute 2-1 defeat at Weymouth after Brakes had gone ahead against the Terras in the 87th minute. A mid-week win by Brackley saw Brakes fall back to second in the Evostik Southern Premier League. Moreover, the club has been hit by injuries, departures and suspensions and it has not been easy to find cover.