Brakes give four star performance

Team: Gettings; Dhesi, Sidwell, Gregory, Burgess (Saunders); Blake, Ellis (Mort), Shearsby, Adams; Timms (Eden), Nicholls

Brilliant Brakes dug up a four star performance to bury the memory of Tuesday's defeat to King's Heath, and in doing so got revenge for an embarrassing 5-3 home reverse earlier in the season.

They started the game at a blistering pace, and you could sense the players were up for the battle. Prior to this game the supporters were fearful of another tough game, given the previous result and the home match against Star, but since then their manager and star striker have moved camps to their ground landlord's Grosvenor Park.

Leamington attacked from the off, and unsettled the Star defence with some good movement and passing, Jonny Burgess and Ben Adams linking up particularly well down the right against the big Star defenders. Harj Dhesi was clattered early on, but was alright to continue. On nine minutes Barry Shearsby, making a start after a suspension, hit a good effort that was turned behind by the Star keeper, who was exposed many times in the game by his defence, and earned his appause from the travelling Brakes fans for keeping the score respectable.

Three minutes later, and Leamington gained a lead that they were not to relinquish, good work on the right saw Shearsby burst into the box and knock a pass across to Darren Timms, who turned and shot low into the corner, to the acclaim of the North Bankers rather tightly packed in the small space behind the goal. Five minutes later, and Shearsby was involved once again, this time getting a ricochet off a defender before burying the ball in the bottom corner. We were loving this, and singing our hearts out! Failure by the linesman on the near side to keep up with play denied Brakes what looked like a penalty, when a Star defender handled, but they escaped further punishment.

With Josh Blake back in the side and marauding down the left, and Paul Nicholls getting in good positions, only being denied on a couple of occassions by last ditch challenges, more goals looked on the cards. Blake burst through into the area but with a defender at his side, curled his shot just wide.

After 31 minutes Shearsby nearly got his second. He seemed to have all the time in the world, as he looked up and hit a scorcher that was heading into the top corner, but the keeper appeared to knock it onto the bar and over. The referee did not agree, however, and awarded a goal kick.

On thirty-seven minutes, however, Brakes got a third goal that their superiority deserved. From a Continental Star attack, a long ball through to Ben Adams on the right saw Leamington's little pocket-rocket surge into the area to despatch a low shot under the keeper. You had to feel a bit sorry for the Star custodian, as the North Bankers chanted 'Easy, easy!' Barry Proctor celebrated as wildly on the touchline as we did!

There were more opportunities to put the game to rest before half time, Andy Ellis saw a rising drive just clear the bar, and Blake had another surging run end with a cross that nobody was able to get on the end of. Another good move on the right saw Shearsby put Adams away on the right again, and his ball in to Timms saw him shoot just over from ten yards.

The second half saw Leamington come out rather sluggishly, and they conceded an unnecessary goal, as Star pushed forward. Tom Sidwell, trying to clear the ball out of defence, hit an attacker, and although Gettings nearly kept it out, the referee signalled a goal that most people missed as they were still taking their places.

After a period of pressure from the home side, Brakes began to regain authority, and they restored their three goal advantage on the hour mark, Barry Shearsby recieved the ball from a home defender 25 to 30 yards from goal and sent an exquisite curling shot into the corner to add to his collection of outstanding goals for Leamington. The keeper thought it was going wide, and stood open mouthed in horror as it shot past him into the net.

Jonny Burgess was bought down right on the edge of the box soon after, which resulted in a bit of handbags. Nick Mort, a half time substitute, involved as ever when a Star defender wouldn't give the ball back.

Tom Saunders, returning from injury, and Paul Eden were given a run out for the last part of the game, and Eden was quickly involved up front, showing signs of a good understanding with Nicholls and Blake again. Star pulled a goal back with about fifteen to go, a shot over James Gettings, but Leamington were by no means hanging on in the final stages, and could have added to their tally.

All in all, a very good day at the office. The whole team performed well, though the two goals could perhaps have been avoided, but the win puts us in pole position for now, with a winnable home fixture against Alveston coming up in midweek, before the big cup semi final at Alvechurch next Saturday. Well done, lads.

NBB Man-of-the-Match: Shearsby

Match report by Paul Edwards