Leamington	1-2	Rugby Town
Mort 36 Att: 386		Poole, Phil 13 Jardim 81

Leamington lose out to strong Rugby team after better performance

Team: Day; Thompson, Walker, Sidwell, Saunders, Burgess; Timms, Mort, Webb; Dhesi (Hanrahan), Blake

The first of four meetings between the two clubs this season was a far better affair than the last time these two teams met. Two fortunate penalties, and a plethora of chances went begging for both teams before Rugby eventually ran out the winners in the last ten minutes.

The match started with a minute's silence for Armistice, before the visitors kicked off towards the North Bank. Indeed, it was Rugby who started the stronger, with Leamington's centre-backs given a tough test in the opening ten minutes. Too often, the ball was hoofed upfield to relieve the pressure. When it was played through the centre, Rugby quickly snuffed it out.

As the Brakes started to get back into it, the visitors struck, mainly thanks to some bad goalkeeping by Myles Day. As the ball came over from the right, Phil Poole rose and placed a weak header at the near post. Day had seemingly saved it, but it somehow crept under his body and trickled behind the line.

Still, Leamington plugged away, and there were glimpses of the passing game we know we can play. These glimpses were only too brief, and the tell-tale long-ball game of a team struggling to find its form was all too evident.

However, Leamington did get back into the match, although the manner was somewhat fortunate. A corner from the right was driven into a crowded penalty area, and appeared to hit Gibbons full in the chest. Bizarrely, the referee awarded a spot-kick. With the current recognised penalty taker on the substitutes' bench, it was unclear as to who would take the penalty. Mort took it upon himself, and drove the ball in off the left hand upright to equalise.

Brakes started the second half in far better mood. Thompson was playing better than he has all season, although still lacking that final edge and crispness which characterised his first two seasons. Dhesi looked comfortable in his unusual rôle as attack partner to Blake. Saunders, making his first full appearance looked confident and composed.

While both teams spurned chances at either end, it was Rugby who had the best chance to take the lead in the 76th minute. A meeting of defender, goalkeeper and attacker in the Brakes area resulted in a penalty. It was innocuous compared to most of the challenges that flew around, but the referee awarded the spot-kick. Pete Poole stepped up and struck the ball high and hard. It thundered off the crossbar, and he put away the rebound, only for the referee to disallow the goal as no other player had touched the ball.

Rugby grabbed the win, and the first silverware of the season, five minutes later. A deep cross came over from the right. Day, surrounded by two Rugby attackers, was sandwiched and fumbled the ball. It dropped to Joao Jardim, who blasted it past the helpless Day.

Although a loss, it was a much better performance by Leamington. Sidwell and Thompson look to be getting some confidence back, Saunders seems to slot in well in central defence, and Harj Dhesi was perhaps the most significant player on the park. Roll on Saturday, where hopefully, Brakes can build on this confident display against a lowly Feckenham outfit.

NBB Man-of-the-Match: Harjinder Dhesi

Match report by Simesy